MML Magazine

Badnews: How did you get in the modeling game?

S. Perry: Well I would have to say I didn’t choose the game, the game choose me. I started modeling in college when I went to Florida A&M back in 2004. I was in a calendar, and I got a lot of good feedback from it so I just got in and stayed in.

Badnews: I see. So you been modeling for four years, would that make you a vet?

S. Perry: Yeah that would. I got a lot stronger in the fields that I was weak; I learned a lot from this business the time I have been doing this so I pretty much know the routine.

Badnews: That’s what’s up. Now what are some of the magazines or videos we seen you in over the years? I know you’re more of the video vixen right?

S. Perry: Right. Well the three major videos I have been in was Trina’s Single again video, Ray J’s sexy can I, and Shawty Lo’s Foolish remix. And then I did a bunch of magazines and calendars.

Badnews: So we have definitely seen you. Cool. Now you since you’re more in the videos, what’s a regular day for you on a video shoot somewhere?

S. Perry: Ok, sometimes you have to be in on set real early or real late, and if you’re an extra your there all day and night. I mean you can be there for 12 hours. The Feature or the lead girl will get paid for all day, and the extra wont will be there the most and not really get anything. The extra parts aren’t worth it... you have a slim chance of not even being in the video, you could get edited out.

Badnews: Wow that’s crazy. So I’ll stay away from the extra parts if I’m offered any in the future

S. Perry: (laughs) I’m telling you don’t do it.

Badnews: (laughs) Ok well that’s good advice. Now that sounds pretty bad, but what’s the worst you ever had to deal with on the set?

S. Perry: You mean anything?

Badnews: Yeah, anything.

S. Perry: Well the worst is being around the rapper’s entourage they bring. They like to bother you. Then just sitting all day on a set with nothing to do, waiting to be called.

Badnews: Really? I thought it wouldn’t be too bad like in the Foolish video when you all were on the beach…

S. Perry: Well I was in the plane scene. We were supposed to shoot that whole scene on the plane, but they couldn’t fit all the girls on it. So we had to wait a whole day just to shoot that scene. And then were on the beach, we were at Virginia Key Beach. Now that one was okay, but there were a lot of sand fleas and we were getting all bit up. The next morning, all the models had bites it was horrible. We were using the alcohol and itching all day it was crazy

Badnews: Damn I didn’t know it was like that. But at the end of the day, you got paid right

S. Perry: Right (laughs)

Badnews: What’s one of the most important things you learned being in this business?

S. Perry: For me I learned that it is what it is. And don’t make things personal, it creates a hostile environment. Just know that if someone says something you don’t like, and then don’t take it personal. Your already going to be on the set all day so just try and make it easier on yourself unless there touching you and saying crazy things. But just don’t take it personal that’s the most important thing you can learn.

Badnews: I feel that. Now what are the most five important things you must have so you can stay in the game?

S. Perry: (pauses) Well number one would be drive. I just wouldn’t give up. I always stayed hungry. I stay emailing everyone everyday. I meet directors, I travel a lot. And if you don’t like to travel, then this business isn’t for you. You’re going to have to travel. There not really anything else I can think of, you just need drive and to stay hungry. And try to get up there so you can work in L.A., or New York. Atlanta is a real good market you want to try to work there.

Badnews: Ok. Now who are some of the rappers you want to work with, but you haven’t yet?

S. Perry: Wayne. Lil’ Wayne is one of the illest rappers out; I would love to be in a Lil’ Wayne video. That would be good for my resume too (laughs). And then Madonna, and the Game.

Badnews: That’s a nice list; I hope we will see you soon in there

S. Perry: Thank you.

Badnews: Now I know one of the big problems- well at least what I’ve been hearing is the whole light skin over dark skin thing when it comes to rappers choosing models. Is that still a problem in your field?

S. Perry: Definitely.

Badnews: So how do you feel about that situation?

S. Perry: Our culture caters to our ethnic culture, but it doesn’t represent it in a good way. A lot of videos will have mixed girls in it, but not enough dark skinned girls. I think dark skinned girls have it harder in this business especially in hip hop. Don’t get me wrong, I love hip hop but it should be more equal. A lot of people don’t even think I'm all the way black but I am, I do have Cherokee in me, but that’s way down the line.

Badnews: Okay, I thought you had a little bit of Asian in you

S. Perry: I get that a lot (laughs). But nope I’m afro American.

Badnews: Well you’re doing a good job representing us period. I know your people are proud of you. Now what do you have lined up for yourself in the future? Anything for us fellas to look for you in?

S. Perry: Well ill be traveling, and I have a spread in The Source coming in the fall, and I don’t mean one picture, I mean a spread…half print stuff, so look out for that, and then ill be in a bunch of hair books and all that so you can go to the hair store and find that, but the biggest thing I have is the Source Magazine so please look out for that

Badnews: I’m pretty sure that we will all go out and get a copy (laughs). Okay so it seems like you will be busy in the coming weeks... now finally, what advice can you give a model that wants to in you shoes?

S. Perry: This industry is hard, so to be able to survive in it, you’re going to have to have drive. And don’t give up, you will get a lot of negativity, but don’t quit. And always put God first.

Badnews: Definitely, you must apply that last rule to whatever situation you’re in.

S. Perry: Absolutely.

Badnews: Okay great. Well where can we look you up on, you know if we want to see some more lovely pictures of yourself?

S. Perry: Well you can go to my myspace page, www.myspace.com/steperry I always check my messages.

Badnews: Cool well I hope to hear from you soon, next time we talk, you will be on Lil' Wayne’s set.

S. Perry: (laughs) I hope so.

Badnews: How did you get into Modeling?

Ms. Juicci: I was in my second semester at school and I met my manager then and she helped me get into modeling these clothes name Genesis that’s based out here in Louisiana. And I got good feedback from that, and the people around me started approaching me and saying you should step out on your own, and I said “what do you mean?” and they meant to do it by yourself professionally. So we sat up all night and deliberated on a name that would fit me and Clarence said juicy, and we switch the name up to Juicci. And then I started studying the current models and we got out there and here I am today (laughs)

Badnews: That’s what’s up. Now modeling is a cutthroat industry and there are a lot of females out there that want to do what you are doing right now, but for those that are serious, what is the best advice you can give them?

Ms. Juicci: Well the first thing I would say is always be confident. Have confidence in yourself because the people will see your weakness. The second is research good photographers. You need good pictures always. And then just write down your goals and be sure you get them all together. It’s just like the music industry some people will respect you and some will hate.

Bandews: That’s good advice because I know that a lot of girls want to model but they really don’t know how to go about it so I thought I would ask them for you (laughs)

Ms. Juicci: Awe (laughs). But you have to figure out who you are. Sometimes you have to be there and you won’t get paid but you have to create a buzz for yourself. Do everything that’s available to you from small time magazines to fashion shows, you need to have exposure

Badnews: Ok. Now getting back to you, what’s a regular day for Ms. Juicci before and during a photo shoot?

Ms. Juicci: Well I don’t drink alcohol the night or the day before the shoot because it shows up on the film (laughs). If it’s a late shoot, I try and go to the gym and get some cardio in. I don’t eat before the shoot, and I make sure I have my clothes together.

Badnews: Pretty much just make sure everything is together so you will be prepared

Ms. Juicci: Right

Badnews: That’s something everyone can learn from (laughs). Now is there a situation that you been in that you won’t put yourself in for the sake of the shoot? You know like some taboos?

Ms. Juicci: I never really had any problems. There’s never been a time when I didn’t want to do a shoot. But I won’t work if the photographer is making me uncomfortable. You know if he wasn’t being professional, but like I said I never really had a problem at a shoot where I won’t work. Modeling is fun

Badnews: That’s what’s up, it’s good to see someone who enjoys there job. Now we all are just now getting to know who you are but what have you been in?

Ms. Juicci: Hmm… Of course Genesis clothing out here in Louisiana. I have posters all over Baton Rouge. I been in Rouge magazine, I done a barber shop calendar that’s circulating all over the country. 110 magazine, Oh My God in Atlanta, and of course Smooth Magazine. I have my own calendar on my website; I was in one of B.G.’s videos… I was at the BET Hip Hop Awards with Lil’ Boosie and Webbie in the convertible on stage…

Badnews: OH! I remember that. Okay I see you

Ms. Juicci: (laughs) Yeah I was on stage wiping down the car. I did a lot of work. I did some work for Hustler too.

Badnews: Hustler? Ok. (Pauses)

Ms. Juicci: (laughs)

Bandews: So you’re definitely a vet in the game that’s what’s up. Now what are some things that you won’t do?

Ms. Juicci: I want to do some R&B videos; you know I want to play the lead. All that booty shaking stuff I prefer not to do and I’m not posing nude for anybody unless it is for Playboy because they are real professional and they have a real good reputation. That’s other than that I won’t pose nude for anybody else.

Bandews: Yeah as far as I know they are real prestigious in there respected field.

Ms. Jucci: I remember Playboy ever since I was a little girl and Latoya Jackson was on the cover. I was little and I was asking “why is Latoya on Playboy? What’s Playboy”. And I had seen her on the magazines with the stars in a store somewhere. So yeah I would work with them I hope that works out.

Badnews: Me too

Ms. Jucci: (laughs) you’re so silly!

Badnews: (laughs). Okay before I lose track, I wanted to ask you about this you might have to educate me in ten seconds but I know there are certain types of models like the urban, high fashion, and others. What would you classify yourself as and are you trying to break out your current status to get into another zone?

Ms. Juicci: I would do urban, high fashion… Ill be a hand model, foot model whatever. I don’t categorialize myself as anything; I can do any type of modeling. But it’s harder because it’s stricter in high fashion; you have to be a certain height and weight. I’m 5’4 almost at 5’5 and the minimum for that kind is 5’7. Eva Pigford is 5’7, and she looked tiny standing next to those women.

Badnews: Yeah, they were looking like college basketball women

Ms. Juicci: (laughs) Right. So that will be the only problem I would have. But I would love to do fitness magazines. One day go out to California and do that type of modeling. Ill do hair modeling. I wear weave. Ill model it.

Bandews: That’s what’s up. You probably can’t limit yourself anyway because so many people are trying to get into what you’re doing.

Ms. Jucci: Right. You have to take risks. If it means you risking a boob shoot, go for it as long as it’s done in a tasteful manner and its not degrading you. You have to take some risks weather it’s that or something else.

Badnews: Ok. Now who do you want to work with in the industry?

Ms. Juicci: Iman. She paved the way for black women. And KLS… Kimora Lee. Jimmy Choo. I don’t own a pair yet, but I would love to wear them one day (laughs). But anyone who is creative and different. I can’t say what I won’t do because I’m open to everything. I can’t say I won’t model for Tommy Hilfiger. I would work for anyone that’s fun and creative.

Badnews: Ok. Now you being a beautiful woman I know you had you share of crazy fans or losers. But what’s the craziest thing a fan has done to you so far?

Ms. Juicci: Well I was doing this show far away and this guy who seen me at another show drove all the way done to see me at this show. And the whole time at the party he was following me saying “hey Ms. Juicci” and just trying to talk to me, and it made me feel uncomfortable. So when I went to the hotel, he found out I was staying there and I didn’t even sleep that night. I checked out early.

Bandews: Wow that’s crazy. That probably comes with the territory huh?

Ms. Juicci: Oh yeah. I was at a club and the security was all over me, holding my hand and saying he’ll protect me. He was all sweaty under his arms and all in my space and even stepped on my foot a couple times

Badnews: Were you wearing open toes?

Ms. Juicci: Yeah (laughs) Ugh I was so mad.

Badnews: So if anyone who is reading this gets the chance to meet you, please give Ms. Juicci some space.

Ms. Juicci: (laughs)

Badnews: Wow. Ok (laughs). Now what kind of man you go for? The thugs or the suits?

Ms. Juicci: It doesn’t matter if he wears a sweat suit. As long as he has swagger. He has to have street sense, business sense and common sense. I don’t care if he wears a three piece suit or a baseball cap with a white tee. He just needs to have swagger. It doesn’t matter just as long as he’s well rounded.

Badnews: Ok, that’s good to know for real. Now we have to talk about the haters. Was there ever a time when you got hated on so bad that you re thought about pursuing a career in modeling?

Ms. Juicci: Actually last night. There was stuff being said about me that I stripped which I never done, I was on pills and wilding out which isn’t true. I was worried that it could affect my parents so I did think about what I was doing for a minute because I was afraid of what my parents might have to go through. But you have to stay in it. People are going to say you’re ugly and make up things about you but like I said earlier, if you have confidence in yourself, you will be fine. I love my haters like friends. You have to keep your haters close

Badnews: That’s so true. It’s funny if you go on to a blog and see actually read the comments, like 90% of it is negative. And it makes you think, are they really haters if they are willing to take time out to talk about you? That’s free press

Ms. Juicci: (laughs)

Badnews: But that’s just me. I don’t know (laughs). Okay so now I know you have the calendar and the website going down can you tell me a little about that?

Ms. Juicci: Yeah. The Website is www.msjuicci.com and it’s doing real well. I was able to get some photos up on the site between going to school. It shows me what I can improve on and what I have. And the calendar is 2008, you can get it off the site as well, and I have ‘09 and ’10 covered too… It’s full of “Juicce”. But shout out to Dewayne with out him I couldn’t do it with out him. And my manager there both awesome. We stayed up long nights trying to get this site and calendar off the ground.

Badnews: Well it’s a hot site and I will definitely become a visitor

Ms. Juicci: Awe thank you.

Bandews: No, thank you

(Both laugh)

Bandews: Ok, well you got the site, the calendar but what do you have lined up in the future?

Ms. Juicci: I’m getting into acting. I doing a couple of movies like two or three, I want to keep the title under wraps though. And then I’m heading out to London and then back to Amsterdam. And then do another video. Hopefully King will call. Smooth paved the way for me shout out to Jackie Sanchez she killed the make up. And shout out to the whole Smooth family. And then hopefully it will lead into more international work. And shout out to Jenna God put her in my path for a reason. And D.J. Treadwell.