Allison McGevna, model, fashion reporter,pretty much does it all. Though you may be unfamiliar with the name, I’m sure you’ve seen Allison before doing her thing for Apple Bottoms, Baby Phat and Roca Wear, or between the pages of Sister 2 Sister, Jet Magazine, and Black Enterprise (to name a few). And if you think all of this success has gone to her head, you couldn’t be further from the truth. What I love most about Allison is her humility and willingness to help others. She’s such a down-to-earth chick.

Recently Allison McGevna, my newest model buddy, agreed to do an interview for AshleyGaGa.com. Her insight into the world of modeling on the other side of the scale, how she’d like to impact the world, and the importance of loving yourself for who you are, are priceless.

Big Jump-Start Question: What got you into modeling, how long have you been modeling and how did you get started?

I modeled as a child all through college, doing local shows and catalogs, but I didn’t begin pursuing it professionally until I started working for Baby Phat when I entered a model search they held [4 years ago.]. At that time, it was both a professional and financial blessing and one that, when I was initially submitting, I never thought I would get.

I got started after working as a fit model for Baby Phat after I entered a search. They called me in and offered me a job on the spot doing fit work for them. I worked my way up from fit to catalog to eventually getting to do web campaigns. From there, I started learning about getting an agent, getting professional photos done and becoming a professional model.

If you don’t mind me asking, what size are you?

I am a size 16.

What is your heritage?

My mother is West Indian, from the island of Grenada and my father is Irish.

I see you have worked with A LOT of brands and people. How long did it take you to become a successful model? What’s your definition of success as a model?

Thank you for calling me successful first of all. It’s funny because each step along the way, you celebrate your smaller successes but then pick right up and look toward bigger ones. There’s so much that I have yet to accomplish that it’s hard for me to really consider myself “successful.” But it does take some time to be taken seriously. You have to really learn and study your industry and how to improve yourself and market yourself and that process takes years. Success to me would be getting to a place where I could be considered someone who broke barriers and inspired women to embrace themselves just as they are. That’s what I strive for every day and I don’t think I am there yet, so I still have a lot of work to do.

Have you worked with any celebrities? What was that experience like?

My other job is a fashion and entertainment writer and correspondent, so I have gotten the chance to work with several celebrities in that arena. My favorites have been Eva Mendes, Matt Damon, Debbie Harry and Russell Simmons, because they were all humble, gracious and I feel like I learned something from them. I try not to think of them as “celebrities” because for the most part, they are no different than you or I, with the exception of a few more zeroes on their paychecks and someone stalking them for a photo when they take out the trash or go grocery shopping.

What has been your favorite and/or most rewarding shoot to date?

That’s a hard one to pick, but a few months ago, I got to work with celebrity stylist Mary Alice Stephenson, who was making over a group of military moms, wives and veterans. I got to experience seeing these women who give so much of themselves to others see themselves transformed into red carpet ready divas. To talk to them and hear their stories changed my life. It was more behind the scenes for me, but I’ll remember it always and it meant more than seeing any photo of myself.

As a plus size model, and a model of color, what challenges do you face? Is it harder to be a model of color or a plus-size model?

Of course, there are unique challenges to being a plus size model or a model of color and I spent a long time stuck on those issues and resenting them in a lot of ways. But one day I woke up and realized that me complaining about or dwelling on what people weren’t going to give me or how they weren’t going to see me in the same way as other people was never going to get me anywhere but drowned in my own sorrows. Now I embrace the things that make me different because I believe that’s what will define my life’s story.

Do you work out? If so, how?

I do work out and it’s a big part of my life right now. My blog, Inside Allie’s World, has a lot to do with my journey to be the healthiest I can be. I do a lot of mixed martial arts, mostly Muay Thai, which I have studied for two years now, and I am getting back into running after a hiatus for a few years. I’ll be running in a 5K in NJ next month, so I’m excited for that because it’s been a while since I’ve done an actual race and I’ve missed them! I have to say, I really hate the gym, so I look for and write about how you can get fit without the gym with things like DVDs, plyometrics, free weights and cardio that isn’t on a machine.

What is your normal beauty regimen? What keeps you looking so beautiful?

Aww, you’re too sweet! I try to drink a lot of water, I never (ever!) go in the sun unprotected because the Irish in me means I get sunburned very easily. I wear SPF 50 every day and when my skin needs a break, I won’t wear makeup or use too many products for a few days. Sometimes it’s scary to go out completely bare, but I think our skin really craves that.

Honestly, millions of young girls are plus-sized and many of them would love to be models. What advice do you have for those who want to get into the business?

Well, first of all, you have to really evaluate why you want to be in this business. If you are seeking validation, trust me, you will not find it in this business. If anything, this business will break you in a second if you aren’t grounded and I’ve seen it happen to both the girls who make it and those who don’t. It is very confusing to have your worth based on superficial things. For me, it’s taken a lot of prayer and a group of trusted girlfriends with whom I laugh about the crazy stuff to stay sane some days!

When you’ve decided that it’s something you really want to pursue, it’s important to treat it like a business and know that there are standards of conduct and standards to which you will be held. Not every pretty girl can be a model just as you don’t have to be conventionally pretty to be a model. Take care of your skin. Work out, not only for the client, but for yourself to keep feeling good about yourself because the camera will ALWAYS reveal the truth about how you’re feeling. Learn about posing, facial expressions and what types of photos you need to have in your book. Sexy photos you might send to your man are never ever the same ones you should send out to a client. It sounds like common sense, but it’s not. And be careful with social networking. People are always watching, reading and paying attention. Things like ego, bad attitude and unprofessionalism are very easy to spot and it’s very hard to fool a public once you have put the wrong things out there.

Finally, make sure to do your research and know who’s who in the business in terms of clients, editors, agents, other models etc.

And what does your future hold for you? Where do you see yourself in five years? Still in front of the camera? 

I do see myself still in front of the camera, yes, but hopefully also in an expanded capacity. I believe my future holds a lot of traveling, hosting, writing, production and development. There are a lot of avenues I want to pursue and I live my life by believing all things are possible through God, determination and really hard work.

Totally GaGa! Love It!

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