BALLERIFIC LIFESTYLE – A TALK WITH A VETERAN MODEL – LIZZ ROBBINS

If you live in the DC area you have heard of Lizz Robins. Check out the interview as she talks about what she has been doing and advice for models that are just starting out:

1. It looks like a lot has happen since the last time we featured you. What’s have you been up to these days?

Besides my addiction to Twitter? Hey, the first step is to admit you have problem lol. Actually I’ve been developing my own event planning company catering to Government Agencies. It’s been a very long process, but I’m looking forward to seeing it come alive. On the modeling side I’ve done some shoots with Siobahn Philemon Photography (@siobahnphilemon on Twitter) for a Magazine in DC called Velocity.

Shot a Fantasy Football commercial for Dime Sports

<

and shot an episode or should I say got shot for an episode of “America’s Most Wanted”

and last but not least was turned into a cartoon by Aaron McGruder for an episode of the “Boondocks” , my likeness was voice by Aisha Tyler. So that was pretty cool to see.

Since I’ve been working on my company, I’ve put modeling somewhat on the back burner, but I plan to get back into full swing this summer. Also, my blog on King Magazine.com “Robbins Nest” will re-launch in April, so I’m really excited about that because I have SO much to say. .

2. What campaigns are you working on now?

I’m happy to say I’m still with Remy Martin as their spokesmodel, going on 4 years now. I did some appearances last summer including the Essence Festival as well as this past fall at various events. My posters are in liquor stores across the country. It’s pretty cool when people tweet me and say hey I saw you or send me a twitpic of the photo.

3. Due to our recession a lot of our magazines have folded. What can a model do to promote herself?

Yes, unfortunately a lot of publications have succumb because of the economy. However, KING Magazine is back and in full swing and ladies have a chance to a be featured on the website by sending photos to or [email protected] @Sean_Malcolm on Twitter. Besides that, the social media has been great for helping ladies get themselves out there. When I first started modeling, in the dark ages lol, it was hard for a model, especially us vertically challenged models to promote themselves, so these ladies are definitely lucky to have these avenues. I would tell them to use these tools, but use them wisely, it can bite you in the butt, literally.

4. What is your biggest accomplishment?

You know when I’m usually asked this question I always mention the things I’m “known” for, which are amazing and I’m definitely grateful. Now, as I look back, I would say my biggest accomplishment is not losing myself in the industry and doing it my way with hard work and not compromising myself for anything or anyone. There are “opportunities” that came my way, that many would think I was a fool for turning down, but what came along with those “opportunities” I knew I wasn’t ready for, nor would I ever be. Plus I didn’t look so good in knee pads.

5. You are a veteran model. What advice do you have to the new models coming up?

To kind of piggy back on what I said above, is to be careful with social media. You can do something for a “shock” factor and it will give you 15 minutes of attention, maybe even 16. Once that time is up, make sure you have something to show for it, or extend your time by showing it wasn’t about the “shock”, if that’s the way you want to go. Nowadays the word “model” is such a loosely used term, it seems to apply to just about anyone. I say separate yourself from the pack, if it’s something you really want. Take quality photos, with established photographers, not with Lil Ray Ray who has a camera. Make sure you have them ease up on the airbrushing and photoshop, a lil touch up here and there is cool, no one is perfect, but you still should look like the woman in the photo who shows up for the event. Build a strong portfolio and send out the photos to publications, website, where you know you will get the most visibility. It may take days, it may take months, but hard work and persistence does pay off. I will say this, it’s nothing like looking in the mirror and truly feeling good about who and what you see.6. What do you have to say about models getting plastic surgery or enhancements? Funny, you mentioned that, it seems to be the “trend”. When I first started out, it wasn’t about the false body parts it was about if your hair was real. This photo

taken by Siobahn that I currently have as my background on Twitter got a huge response with people asking if my butt was real, I even had to call in validation lol. Yet, no one noticed I had “Seabiscuit” sitting on top of my head. For the record, nothing on my body is fake, it’s all natural or as Juvenile would say “I get it from my momma”

I think for the ladies today if that’s what they want to do, who am I to knock it? I would say do it in moderation, sometimes it’s just too much. You have to be careful when you’re putting chemicals inside your body, not truly knowing the risks. If someone was to ask me, I would say don’t do it, enhance what God gave you. Companies like Victoria’s Secret, etc make products to do this minus the surgery and/or injections.

7. We know you love sports. Are you making a career out of that?

You’re far too kind, when I’m actually a borderline fanatic when it comes to sports. In the” Hey Mon” tradition, yes, but I will intertwine it with my other careers. I currently contribute sports related posts to www.bleacherreport.com and this past football season I did NFL picks on WOL-AM for “The Sports Groove”. Which lead to me getting my 1st crack at sideline reporting and play calling at Morgan State University’s Homecoming game.

Definitely looking forward to seeing where this will take me, it has opened some doors,. I was told just recently, I was being considered for a new sports show, so I have my fingers crossed!

8. What’s next for Lizz?

Marriage, 2. 5 kids, make that 1.5 lol. In the immediate future I’m going to continue working on my establishing my company as well as continue to market myself in the sports field. Of course dibble-dable in modeling, I love being in front of the camera.

Thoughts?

You can follow her on www.twitter.com/Lizzs_Lockeroom