Valerie: Intellectual Model & Actress

Industry Challenges. “My skin tone and race: I am an African American who is dark skinned,� Valerie says, and adds, defiantly, “Who cares! I am going to show up, regardless.� Another challenge is being a woman in the industry.

 

Where She’s From: Lovely model Valerie Denise, a Virgo, was born and raised in Miami, Florida. “From my parents, I learned that education plays a very important role in making my life as complete and fulfilling as possible,� she tells   The Black Star News. “My mother, Jean Jones, is the most important person in my life.  She has always supported me and gives me good advice.� Valerie graduated from The University of Florida—boy is she learned.

Valerie launched her career as a radio personality. “I responded to an on-air request to call in and win tickets for an upcoming concert.  The person who answered the phone asked me to come in for an interview and said he was very impressed with my response to his trivia question and thought I had a voice for radio.�

The Ebony Fashion Fair tour was Valerie’s first gig as a professional model. Valerie also has a budding acting career—she does stunt work and has had movie roles herself.

“I  caught the bug for television after doing a TV commercial for the radio station,� she says. “Immediately after it aired, I was approached by a talent scout and asked to audition for a role in a movie called Jeepers Creepers. I did not get the part, instead I was hired as a stand-in for the cop and supporting actress, which meant more money and time on the set.�


Where She’s At:
Valerie has already worked with some of the biggest names in the movie industry, including Samuel Jackson, Taye Diggs, John Travolta, Damon Wayans and others.  “The acting industry is never easy to penetrate. But with enough willpower and passion for this line of profession, I will achieve my lifetime goal to become a highly paid and sought out actress who has a couple of Academy Awards under her belt,� she declares.

She has been featured in a string of movies and television shows, most notably “HBO’s Burn Notice,” “TRL,â€? “My Wife and Kids,â€? “America’s Most Wanted,â€? “106 and Park,â€? “Basic” and “Jeepers Creepers.” 
Her resume includes commercial campaigns for Mazda, South Beach Diet, Ebony Fashion Fair, Walt Disney World, George Foreman, Physicians Endorsed, B.M. Swimwear, Silk’s Hair and Fashions, “Glamour,� “JET,� “Hype Hair,� “SHAPE,� “Savoy,� and many more.

Valerie hosts numerous radio shows and segments for many networks and just recently completed fantastic sports, fan-based show titled “Jaguar Sports,� which aired last fall. 

Valerie is also the associate producer and host for Tyler Production’s one-woman show, “Video Tracks,� a nightlife show which showcases all the hot spots and places to go for entertainment.

She has emceed hundreds of events. Guest artists showcased during her show included Gabrielle Union, Anthony Anderson, Bernard Bronner, Owner of BB products and Upscale magazine, Tom Joyner, Destiny’s Child, Bobby Valentino, and many others.


Where She’s Heading:
Valerie takes on the industry’s challenges head on. “My skin tone and race:  I am an African American who is dark skinned,� Valerie says, and adds, defiantly, “Who cares! I am going to show up, regardless.� Another challenge is being a woman in the industry. “The ratio for female actors and models working versus male and models working is 8:1.  The ratio is higher when you factor in race,� she says.

Valerie warns other aspiring models and actors: “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Plus, it only lasts for a season. Education, knowing your craft, makes a remarkable difference with regard to your depth as a professional in this industry. The knowledge and experience you’ll gain from reading and market research and taking classes will add a much needed confidence—that will certainly benefit you if you want to thrive in this industry.�

So how does this level-headed beauty with a gamelan prepare to step out? “I’m big on quality, durability, style and fabrics.  I don’t like to waste my money on products that fade or make me feel like I did not get my moneys worth,â€? she says. “Lotions, perfumes and make-up—buy fashion fair products. clothes:  I love them all because I love to shop.  Designer/name brands, quality knock-offs, jeans and evening gowns, not purses or shoes. I am a big fan of Victoria’s Secret lingerie and baby phat’s line of clothing. Designer clothing, when I can afford it, Giorgio Armani Privé and Oscar de la Renta.â€?


Valerie’s Words Of Wisdom: “
A Helen Keller puts it, ‘I long to accomplish a great and noble task, but it is my chief duty to accomplish small tasks as if they were great and noble.’ And as Zig Ziglar puts it ‘People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing – that’s why we recommend it daily.’â€?
Valerie’s Secrets Of Success: “Pray, trust, believe, educate yourself, prepare and show up!�
Valerie’s Favorite All Time Three Movies: “The Ten Commandments, Brown Sugar and
Tie between Love and Basketball and Pretty Woman.�
Valerie’s Favorite All Time Three Books: “The Bible-King James version, Think and Grow Rich: A Black Choice by Dennis Kimbro, and Modeling for dummies  by Roshumba.�
The First Three Things Valerie Would Do As President: “Hire a good security team; I know somebody would try to assassinate me. Listen to the people and try to figure out what this country truly needs, and a tie between bringing prayer back in the schools and getting our troops back from Iraq.�
Some Of Valerie’s Favorite Cars: “I love concept cars! They are living proof that we are god-like. We can destroy and create based on our perception of this world. Makers of concept cars give the world a preview of what’s available or to come.  does it take a genius to create a concept car?  I think not.  Anybody could do it if they had the right resources and would apply themselves. My favorite concept cars are 2007 Diatto OttoVu Zagato Concept; 2007 Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera; 2008 Lexus IS-F Concept; 2008 Mercedes-Benz P8; 2007 Land Rover Range Rover Sport; and 2006 Bugatti 16.4 Veyron.â€?

If you can match her brain, talents and skills and have a movie role for her or modeling gig why not find out more about Valerie via.

 

http://www.myspace.com/valeriedenise

http://surroundfilmworks.com

http://theanatomyofawomanabused.com

www.myspace.com/fiestathemovie

 

For your profile consideration please send a brief bio and headshot to [email protected]
 


To comment on this article, or to advertise with us, or to subscribe to New York’s favorite Pan-African weekly investigative newspaper, or to send us news tips, please call (212) 481-7745 or contact
[email protected]


Our motto: “Speaking Truth To Empower.”

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *