The Indomitable Kiesha Nelson

“As a celebration for my last chemotherapy treatment, I ate a whole medium pizza by myself—When it didn’t come back up, I cheered, because I was on my way home.â€?

 

Where She’s From: Kiesha Nelson was born and raised in Cheverly, MD, and now lives near Washington, D.C. “My mom and dad always told me to follow my dreams,” she tells The Black Star News. “They always pushed me to strive for the greatest and keep striving to reach beyond my biggest goals. My mom has always instilled it in me to be independent because the only person that can disappoint you most is yourself.” Kiesha’s motto is “independence.”

Just 19 years old, she’s proud to declare that she owns her own apartment and her car is “fully paid up,” through her hard work. In addition to being a fashion designer, she is a stylist, makeup artist , promoter, and event planner. She works with Gemini Publicity and Talent, Hiphop.tv, and SFTDC.com, some of the biggest up and coming entertainment companies in Washington, DC.

She also boasts a 3.7 GPA from Frederick Douglass High School and wants to focus on business going forward. Her dream is to build an empire under the brand name L.Kashaa. “I’ve been modeling since I was 12 and started managing myself at age 18,” this confident woman declares. Next in her planning is a decision for relocation—either to New York or to California to pursue her professional modeling and music dreams. “I’m considering signing with a management company because I believe I can progress further,” she adds.

Where She’s At: Kiesha wants to focus on commercial print modeling, acting and on a singing career. “I love challenging myself,” she says. “I would then get into fashion design and publishing my first book. Then as a publicist or an agent, I would run my own fashion marketing company and model management.”

Kiesha has already conquered some of life’s major challenges and feels fully prepared for any obstacles that may cross her path. “I was diagnosed with cancer at age 11,” she reveals to The Black Star News. “It was called osteosarcoma—a type of bone cancer. I weighed 65 pounds at age 12 because the chemotherapy made it to hard to eat.”

Then she stopped eating all together because she kept throwing up, and was told she would have to be fed with tubes up her nose. “As a celebration for my last chemotherapy treatment, I ate a whole medium pizza by myself. When I finished, I waited 30 minutes. When it didn’t come back up, I cheered, because I was on my way home.”

She lost her left thighbone, kneecap, and most of her muscle. Yet through dedication and physical therapy, she learned to walk again after her operation. “Today, I walk, run, and take dance classes too,” Kiesha laughs. She is living proof that nothing is impossible.


Where She’s Heading:
Kiesha has worked with the renowned photographer Ted Mebane and has been featured on DC artist Tabi Bonney’s video, and on DC fashion week with Ean Williams and Cojor International.

Kiesha cautions aspiring models and actors to learn all they can about the business in order to avoid being taken for a ride. “Pretty girls with space between their ears might be sexy—at least for a little while, but it never lasts long. Trust me,” she says.

How does she prepare herself and dress to kill? “I swear by baby oil gel. I use it every night when I get out of the shower,” Kiesha says, with a laugh. “I love Mac and Covergirl makeup. I love Covergirl Mascara and MAC eyeshadows. I shop at thrift stores, Wet Seal, and Charlotte Russe. I also shop online at vintage shops online. I go out my way to try not to look like no one else. I love to be different. I love Victoria’s Secret Amber romance, and Dream Angels Heavenly perfume. I’ll buy shoes form anywhere as long as they look good and are somewhat comfortable. I love BCBG shoes…”

Kiesha’s Words Of Wisdom: “In order to succeed, your desire for success should be greater than your fear of failure—which comes from Bill Cosby.”
Kiesha’s Secrets Of Success:  “Network like crazy. Always Network and don’t be afraid to talk to people. Have business cards ready. Keep in contact and learn more everyday.”
Kiesha’s Favorite All Time Three Movies: “Devil Wears Prada, Paper Soldiers, and 40 Year Old Virgin.”
Kiesha’s Favorite All Time Three Books: “Fly girl, The Coldest Winter Ever, and any book by ZANE.”
The First Three Things Kiesha Would Do As President: “Call all our troops home—so many young people are losing their lives in Iraq just because they wanted to pay for college and joined the Army. Second, I would impose a bigger crackdown on human-trafficking and domestic violence toward women… Girls are running away for a better life only to be raped of their dignity, self-esteem, and dreams. They are being taken advantage of and all they wanted was a better life. Third, I would get people off the streets. Open more opportunities for our youth, more funding of our school activities and college grants—more jobs.”


To find out more about this marvelous entrepreneur and model please visit
www.myspace.com/klashaa For bookings please contact Kiesha at [email protected] To be considered for a model/actor profile please send us an e-mail with your resume and sample picture to [email protected]

 

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