Lord, how I love them Southern guls. They’re very upfront and none come more forthcoming than Ms. Tuesday Donaldson. Her casual demeanor mixed with Southern wit and charm made the interview a very entertaining and relaxed endeavor. This public relations maven who attends Florida A&M University has been involved with the music industry for some time now.

Sometimes, you’re just destined for the success that is placed in front of you. With Florida’s explosion in the rap game, Ms. Donaldson has been there before us abroad even knew what was going to hit us. Having worked the first annual Ozone Awards, TJ’s DJ’s and being a helpful part of the Core DJ’s Retreat -- Ms. Donaldson knew her calling before the phone rang.

In this interview, Tuesday Donaldson sits down with Beauty & Brains as she talks about how modeling is only a hobby, discusses the highs and lows of being an event planner/PR and talks a little bit about T-Pain… or should I say Faheem!

B&B: Contrary to your pictures, you’re not trying to be a model, correct?
TD: No, I’m not. It was just a hobby. For the longest, people were telling me to try it out. So, I linked up with a photographer and I did my first shoot and it came out well. I can release my stress and do me in front of a camera. But I do not consider myself a model. I’m an average girl… I just like to try new things. A lot of people have dreams and don’t act upon their dreams. I used my resources and it was a cool experience.

B&B: As an event planner – how does your physical beauty help and hinder your career?
TD: As far as help, it’s a little bit easier to deal with people. It’s always easier when you look a certain way. People look for a certain image; for a certain thing. Especially when you deal with men, they’re more susceptible to go with your ideas. But on the other end, because you posed in front of a camera and all that people will think that you’re dumb. Someone thought that that’s all that I’m into and that I was sleeping with people to boost my career. But I’ve had everything established prior to taking these photos.

B&B: You’re one of the few exceptions where I’ve seen a woman be supremely motivated while still in college. What sparked you to be on the grind so early?
TD: I considered myself an old soul. I’ve been raised by a lot of older people. The things that young teenagers go through, I went through early. By the time I was 14-15, I had already been through those phases. I had lost my virginity, smoked and drank, so when I go to college it has been grind time.

B&B: Is being an event planner something that you’d want to do with yourself as a full-time career?
TD: Not necessarily. Event planning is cool. I like working with the media, I like working with the artists. I know I’m good at that, but I’ve crossed that bridge already. I want to be able to move on to other things and not limit myself.

B&B: Now, you’ve been involved in quite a few hip-hop events. How was it to coordinate show rehearsals and the performance schedule for the Artist Showcase at the Core DJ’s Retreat in Atlanta, Georgia?
TD: It was very hectic. I love it though because it was a challenge. The artists wanted different things. Most people buckle under the pressure, but I am happy working with people. I had no complaints, I was able to stretch myself thin and make things work. The most trying thing was communication between the staff and the artist. There are so many different things that people are being told. I had to make sure that everyone is under one accord and it was hard trying to get people to all hear the same thing.

B&B: As a pretty face, did the artist’s take you seriously when you were handling the artist relations during the JMJ Awards Presentation?
TD: Yeah… at the time I had just shot the pictures. No one really saw them. I had been on the scene for awhile, but at the same time I got respect. People have seen me grow up within the industry. I’ve been handling business. They’re more accepting now, but they don’t treat me any different then they have been.

B&B: What was the most demanding task that you had to do when working for TJ’s DJ’s Inc.?
TD: Oh, hell… the Ozone Awards followed that and that was the most demanding thing. The communication between the staff and everyone else was non-existent. I came in as the clean-up woman trying to clean up everyone’s mistakes. But it was what it was and I enjoyed it none the less.

B&B: What would you say has been the most memorable moment in your career, so far?
TD: The Ozone Awards… the company, period, gave me a lot of opportunity. It opened up so many doors, so that couldn’t take anything away from me because it gave me that seal of approval. I wasn’t a fluke and I am more than just a pretty face. I got the job done and did it efficiently. Continued on page 2 »