For any one who has waved off the taller woman in their life Ms. Adi B might be the exception to anybody's rule. After beginning her modeling career via a celebrity fashion show, this runway-sized model went out to tag her pretty face alongside one of R&B’s leading men, Mario and Hip Hop’s brut, 50 Cent.

With so many new reality TV shows flooding the airwaves, Adi B says that microwave stardom is not for her. And as she sits down with Beauty & Brains, the 5’11" Pisces with the coca-cola shape frame raps about her rumored relationship with the Queens-bred rapper, 50 Cent, how her height works against her and answers who’s better – Michael Jordan or Kobe Bryant.

Beauty & Brains: What was your first start in modeling?
Adi B: My first start was when I did a runway fashion show tour. The company was DS Enterprises and they put on this celebrity fashion show. I wasn’t one of the celebrities [laughs], I was just a random girl who they threw into the mix. But it made me feel like I could have a chance to really do this, seriously. I was around other people who were established in the game. Erika Ringor, who played Sidra O’Neal in Love & Basketball was in it, as well. It was a charity fashion show and I had a lot of fun. They weren’t big enough though. You’d get the clothes and the exposure, but I was working towards more. I ended up doing 50 Cent’s “Amusement Park” video and that was fun. I was also featured in Mario’s “Cryin’ Out For Me” video. Since then, I’ve just been auditioning for movies and television.

B&B: A little birdie told me that “Amusement Park” wasn’t the only thing 50 found fun and exciting…
AB: No, it was a rumor. There’s nothing wrong with him. I barely said anything to him. When we were all on the set, 50 was really cool to all of the girls. People can get the wrong idea about things and about him. I had talked to him before the shoot and he learned that this was my first video shoot. The wardrobe styled me with a bikini top. 50 saw it or heard about it somehow and he thought against that idea. He made me relaxed. I don’t know if someone outside of the camp took it the wrong way, and ran with it, or not. There wasn’t a big difference when doing either one of those videos. At all times, we were treated very well and we had a lot of attention given to us directly from the staff.

B&B: But don’t you think being a model could give you a negative look?
AB: I think that it depends on the way that the attention is focused. If a dude is bugging you, he’s all in your face and that’d be messed up. One annoying moment that I went through was that I had a guy tell me that he was a screenwriter, or whatever he said, and he was all up in my face trying to “help” me with my career. He didn’t have his stuff together, no cards, nothing; but had the nerve to try to tell me what I needed to start my career. You could really be pissed off that, but I just said, “Thank you.” I was polite and eventually, he got the hint that I didn’t really want his opinion. He left me alone after that. Honestly, I’m really bad in those situations, I can’t tell people to get away from me.

B&B: What’s the worst time when you have to be rude?
AB: [Laughs] In the clubs. You always have to be rude in the club. People in the clubs will try and grab you. One time, this guy did it and, honestly, I don’t know where it came from. I ended up hitting him though.

B&B: So, you Mike Tyson, now?
AB: Not really, but I’m pretty sure that if you try to offend me, I’ll defend myself.

B&B: You went to Cal State Domingus, right? What’d you graduate with?
AB: I earned my Bachelors in Mass Communication. Communications Law really helped me and I enjoyed it a lot. Random terms that people use, I really know what they’re getting at. I’m more knowledgeable of situations and how they’re used. Actually, I should say that this design class that I took really helped me out because I can Photoshop my own pictures.

B&B: You’re 5’11”… Why not hoop instead of model with the talent that you have?
AB: I can play basketball really well. I guess people look at me and think that because I am tall that I would be an WNBA player.

B&B: Has one ever hit on you before?
AB: No, they never hit on me, but I do see one often at the gym. She never hits on me though. When I was Junior in College, I broke my hand. The X-Ray [technician] really discouraged me from playing basketball. He was really against women playing basketball, but it made sense after time. The injuries that I could’ve suffered really changed my whole outlook on basketball.

B&B: Did you wish that you didn’t listen to him?
AB: Yes. Now, when I watch women’s basketball, I get mad that I didn’t play or keep it up. I would love to play basketball again, but I think that I’ve lost my interest in it.

B&B: So, from the league to America’s Next Top Model, right?
AB: Nah… I don’t have the shape for it. I am shaped really like a black girl. I think they look for girls who are super skinny. I really don’t think that reality TV is for me at all; especially, not that show! I just don’t think that what happens on that show is not realistic. Continued on page 2 »