The uniqueness of a person is described by the way they carry themselves. For Miss Soncerae Smith, she embodies a dualism rarely found within the modeling world. Every female has their experiences within the industry that shape their outlook. Very few persevere to keep their wits and sensibilities about them.

This Georgia Peach has more determination than fear of the unknown. And as she continues to create opportunities for herself outside of the modeling industry, the lovely 23-year-old speaks with Beauty & Brains about the ins and outs of certain “industry practices,” how the heart can drive one insane and how Bush spoiled everything for Obama.

B&B: Are you single for a reason?
SS: Yes. I’m not very good person to be romantically involved with. I don’t have any emotional stability. I’m not crazy, but I’ve been through so much with men to a point to where I’m bitter. I really love men; I love being in a relationship, but I can’t do it. They make it so hard in this industry. They try to use my career to get used to me. They don’t look at me like a businesswoman. They look at me like I’m just tits and ass. I’m at a different status in my life now and they try to get to know what I’m doing to pull me into some things. The president of Don Diva Magazine in Atlanta talked to me before. He was starting a group, at the time, and he invited me to his house to listen to some tracks.

He wanted me to perform live, too. I did and he said that it was late and since it was raining, I should stay the night. I laid on the couch and he went into the room to change clothes. But he ended coming back trying to get me into the bed with him. I didn’t play that game. The night ended with him driving me back home in the rain. I have a lot of stories about that. I-20 did that to me. Frank Ski, he did that to me, too. I had him mad as hell, though. I used to work as a waitress and he would do a show where I worked at. One day, I came in there dressed in regular clothes. He said his little comment. I knew he was married. I just wanted to ask him some advice on getting into the game. He works for the radio and he asked me to come visit him in his hotel. He must’ve been there before because people came up to him the whole time there.

He wanted me to have a drink, he tried to get me upstairs and I was like, “No, thank you.” Young Gavin just did me like this. He found me on MySpace and he was text messaging me and telling me how he wanted me to be his woman. He told me that he was going to be in town on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. I wasn’t trying to come to the hotel, though. I wasn’t trying to do anything with him, "A lady doesn’t have anything to prove nothing to let you know that she likes you." He thought that I was going to be his groupie. That’s what they expect from you when they see models. They think that models in Atlanta are easy and that’s not the case at all.

B&B: But nowadays it seems like men and women are only focused on what they can get from one another instead of what they can get with one another. Why?
SS: It’s like competing. I think the gender roles have been switched. Back in the day with the caveman, the caveman and woman had an agreement. They had an agreement between one another and that is why things were the way they were. The man hunted and provided and the woman handled the home. That was the way things used to be. Women now feel like they don’t need men. The men made us kind of become like that. I don’t know if men are treating us like this because they feel like they need to or what, but chivalry is not dead to me. I don’t have to pay for anything! I want the door opened for me. I’m old school with it. I don’t want to meet him anywhere. I want them to come to my house and pick me up. I don’t know who started it first, but I wish men respected us. I really believe in the divine order of God.

B&B: Well, women are going around trying to play the game better than the guys. So, who’s better at getting away with murder – men or women?
SS: Women. Men got to work a lot harder to get where they gotta go. You really got to prove stuff to people when it comes to men. You would think that it would be hard for a female rapper, but it’s harder for them to get on because they want to be in trouble. If you’re a man and you’re trying to be a party promoter, it’d be harder. But if I did, I would get that interest. It’s almost like a catch-22 in each case. Women get away with it better than men. Once you capture a man in that way, we got y’all. Y’all think with another part of your body. If I can make you think that you have an opportunity with me, then you’re good. When I leave the invitation open, I know I can get what I want. But I don’t like that game. If I keep it clear and have no confusion in it, then I’ll be good. Continued on page 2 »