OJ: Lagos’ NYC Blessing

Oj: “Now looking back, if my father had let me run free and crazy, I wouldn’t be the strong, intelligent women I am today.�

Our Model Of The Day


Where She’s From:
Beautiful entrepreneur, model
and talent scout Ojuolape Amusa, a.k.a, Oj, was born in Lagos, Nigeria.
She is of Yoruba ethnicity and the eldest of six siblings.
“My
family and I migrated to Staten Island, New York in 1987,� she tells
The Black Star News. “My father was very strict and much-focused on his
children being strong and successful in life, so he decided that going
to a private school would be best for me. From elementary school to
college I was in private school, and every day after school I had to go
to my father’s store, an African supermarket on Staten Island. I hated
it because I felt like he was robbing me of my childhood. Now looking
back, if my father had let me run free and crazy, I wouldn’t be the
strong, intelligent women I am today.�

She continues, “Believe
it or not, I wasn’t the girly-girl type growing up. I was more of a
town boy. I hated wearing skirts, dresses, even shoes. It wasn’t till
my second year of college when my boyfriend at the time convinced me
into entering the international fashion show that my school was having.
He had more faith in me than I did. He did everything he could to build
my confidence. I remember like it was yesterday. After a little make
over, I looked so good and different at that show; I impressed myself,
and every one of my friends so much that I decided to continue on by
doing fashion shows at different college institution.�

“In 2002,
I graduated from St. Peter’s College and three months later, I really
started pursing my modeling career to a more professional level,� the
beautiful model continues. “So I signed with Wilhelmina Modeling Agency
in 2002 till the end of 2003. Working with that company was fun but
hard at the same time. I won my first fashion show competition in 2003
for XXL magazine. I did fashion shows in New York, LA, Florida and
promotions with; ABC, GMC, Giant Stadium, Sierra Mist, HBO, and so
forth. At the end of 2003 I decided to go independent. I started
looking in newspapers, internet, and magazines for work.�

Where She’s At: In 2004, Oj met Bakari, CEO of Blue Ice Entertainment Models. “He is a true blessing,� she tells The Black Star.
“He got me involved in runway shows even more. In one year I did over
30 shows. From New York Urban Fashion Week show, 2005, Urban Fashion
Main Event, 2006, Athlete for Charity,  2004 to 2005, Harlem Week,
2005 to 2006. I have done ads with King Magazine, Essence Magazine,
YRB, and a few independent magazines.�

Where She’s Heading:
“In time I built my self up as a model and as a business woman,� Oj
continues. “I but I still wanted do more than modeling. I wanted
everyone to not only look at me as a beautiful woman, but an
intelligent one as well. What’s beauty without brains? So last year my
partner and I started Lee’s Entertainment and Promotion’s a party
promotion team in New York City. But I still wanted to work in the
fashion industry. So on November 29th 2006, I produced my first fashion
show at the Canal Room in Manhattan. It was a big success and it made
me realize that I loved to model in runway shows, love being in front
of the camera; but I loved being the creator even more than being the
model. So that is where I am today, an event planner for fashion shows,
and talent showcases.�

So how does Oj prepare to step out? “My
favorite perfume is Sexy Graffiti by Escada, I don’t really wear
makeup; the most I will put on is mascara, L’Oreal or Avon, and
sometimes blush, Avon. Lotion, definitely Palmers Coco Butter, keeps
the skin looking healthy and clear. Now everyone who knows me knows
that I love shoes. My favorite brand of all time is BCBG stands for bon
chic bon genre, which means, good style, good attitude in French. I’m a
big fan of denim jeans. I love jeans. You can wear jeans with
everything, depending on what shoes, Gap, Express, Old navy, London
jeans, Diesel, Seven, DKNY, Michael Khors, Betsy Johnson, BabyPhat.�


Oj’s Words Of Wisdom:
“Keep God first and everything will fall into place.�
Oj’s Secret Of Success: “I never settle for less, and I kept a focus on my goal, and I wasn’t afraid to ask for help.�
Oj’s Favorite Movies: “Poetic Justice, Stomp the Yard, Faces of Africa, which is an African movie, and Boys In The Hood.�
Oj’s Favorite Books: “Pipi Long stocking by Astrid Lindgren, The Pearl by John Steinbeck, and, The Coldest Winter Ever by Sister Souljah.�
Three Leaders That Have Most Inspired Oj: “Dr. Martin Luther King jr., Oprah Winfrey, and Lena Horne.�
Oj’s Favorite Car: “BMW.�
Oj’s Favorite Musician: “Beyonce; Flaws and all.�

For more information about this lovely entrepreneur please visit  http://www.myspace.com/nijabeau  

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