Saturday treat: BGLH haircare expert J talks about her former life as an NYC model
She handles the business as a haircare expert on BGLH, but J has an interesting former life you probably didn’t know about. Read on…
Leila: As I understand it, you had an undergrad degree from an Ivy League University (Cornell University) and a Master’s degree in Public Health (MPH) when you decided to go into modeling. Why the radical change?
Jenteel: I decided not to let “fear of the unknown” stop me. I always wanted to model, but when I was younger I wasn’t confident enough to try it. I was very shy as a child. I especially loved to dance and was very good at it, but gave it up because of the pressure to perform. All my Haitian parents expected from me was good grades. My father even enrolled me into grade school a year early, so I was always the youngest in the class. As a preteen, I was tall, skinny and insecure. But then around 13, I started developing something serious! Around this time, I started running track, so my bottom half became very muscular (not very model-y-lol).
In college, I did a few fashion shows. By this time, I had cut red meat out of my diet and was performing in a Caribbean dance group. Accordingly, my body slimmed out some. After I completed graduate school, I took on a full time job as a Prenatal Health Educator. I mastered the job in a matter of months and I loved making a difference in an economically disadvantaged community; but I became so restless at work.
I was young and in the most fabulous city in the world which just happened to be a modeling mecca. I figured if I didn’t do it then, when would I ever do it? I had always done everything “right”. At age 23, when most people my age were partying, I had already received a masters degree. So I figured I did my time! I decided to quit my job not knowing how the hell I was going to start this new endeavor!
photo credit: gerard gentil
Along the way I took on jobs as a hostess, concessionaire, product sampler and ultimately my longest job while modeling: event planner/wine taster. I never let on about my level of education. Because when I did, it would always be so much drama like, “You went to Cornell?…You have a masters, what are you doing here?!” Some people thought I was crazy, like I flipped my wig. I didn’t care. Most of my family members were very supportive. They showed me so much love. My mom was the best cheerleader ever (*mwah*) and my great friend Adepero, went to almost every fashion show I ever participated in.
photo credit: cochrane
L: How tall are you?
J: just shy of 5’9” 
L: Who are some of the people you met and some of the experiences you had along your journey?
J: Living in New York, I’ve probably seen more celebrities walking down the street or in the clubs then in conjunction with modeling! I must admit that I’ve never been that impressed with “celebrity”. I’ll just say that after crossing paths with a certain celebrity at a video casting, I wasn’t shocked by his recent outburst/faux pas at an award show.
I’ve been in fashion shows with former America’s Next Top Model contestants, participated in an AIDS Walk Charity Fashion Show, the Nuyorican Poetry Showcase and Fashion Show, and a fashion show for Courtney Washington . I’ve done stock photography, participated in hair shows for TIGI, did a commercial for the State University of New York (SUNY) educational system, had a leading role in an independent film and did background work for Law & Order and the feature film The Interpreter.
My favorite experiences included a Vibe photoshoot (my first gig), modeled 18th century designs for the amazing Broadway costume designer Toni-Leslie James at The Natural History Museum in New York; backup dancer for Shabba Ranks at an Irie Jamboree concert; performed in the West Indian Labor Day Parade in Brooklyn, NY; model presenter at the International Reggae Awards (presented an award to Elephant Man); featured on the WE Network’s Cinematherapy; guest hosted a Haitian radio show with Frantz Design; featured in a Planned Parenthood photoshoot and billboard; modeled for Plitz Fashion Week, Fashion on 34th , the International African Arts Festival and the weekly fashion shows with the “girls” of TBA clothing at JRG Fashion Cafe in Brooklyn.
photo credit: cochrane
L: I know you saw things in the industry that bothered you. Can you talk a little about that?
J: In my modeling career, I didn’t mind “sexy”. I’m comfortable with my body and because of my body type, I was more suited for swimsuit/fit modeling anyway. So I know this is going to sound real naive and ignorant when I say, it was weird being treated like an object (lol). I was used to being valued for my brain, so it was an eye-opening shift! I must say that I received more of that kind of treatment in my own community than outside of it. Because of this, I began to gravitate away from “urban” modeling.
It wasn’t too hard to stay away from the urban set because I was viewed as “nubian exotic”, so I was perceived to be “different” anyway. I went to a few video castings for artists that I considered more “conscious”, but there was really no difference in the “procedure”. Whoever arrived with the least amount of clothing was usually chosen. But you know what? It is what it is…sex sells. Many people think that those girls in the men’s magazines are getting paid a fortune, but they’re not. The concept is that you collect as many tearsheets (magazine features to add to your portfolio) as possible to use “for exposure” that will lead you to paid gigs. I think the most frustrating thing about modeling was over time, less and less people wanted to compensate models what they were worth because they were/are so many hungry girls willing to do anything to get put on.
photo credit: drac inc
L: How was your hair manipulated? Did people try to straighten it a lot?
J: Actually no. It was usually very big and curly. I did a lot of hair shows and people of all races styled my hair. They loved it and were very creative with it. Non-blacks were especially enamored with my hair. I would go to shoots with my hair already done (purposely, for fear of what they might do to it) and they would be like, “your hair is perfect, we’re not going to touch it!”
photo credit: calvin childs
L: Why did you eventually leave modeling?
J: I modeled full time for five years. I loved it, but there was this part of me that began to think, “now what?” Furthermore, the economy also affected the fashion industry, so the work slowed up. Truthfully, I was always a little too uppity with modeling; in the sense that I always knew I had a great education under my belt, so I wasn’t willing to sacrifice it all. So I limited myself. I had restrictions in my mind of what I would or wouldn’t do to maintain self-respect and self-esteem. At one point, I met with an agency that was very interested in me, but wanted me to lose 20 pounds. I remember a male friend of mine saying to me, “Jen, just do it!” I’m slim, but curvy and big breasted for a model. But, I’ve realized that I’m one of the few women out there who actually loves my body as is and I didn’t want to change it that drastically. So I worked as a freelance model with several different agencies. As a result, the work wasn’t always steady.
Ironically, during the time I was modeling, I had more freedom to travel and explore spirituality, yoga and alternative medicine. As a result, I’ve become a more earthy, spiritual person, so many things of “this world” don’t really matter to me anymore. Obviously, that is in stark contrast with the industry. I had to stop modeling to make room for other things that I wanted to do. I loved modeling. I mean the rush that I would get on a runway is indescribable, but I kind of always knew I would go back to health. Ultimately, using my knowledge of health to help people adopt healthier lifestyles is my passion and I will continue to use my creativity to bring the many facets of me together. Everything I’ve ever wanted to do, I’ve done or plan on doing in this lifetime. I’m always thinking about my next move. I don’t believe in boxes which is why it is always hard to answer the question, “What do you do?” That question doesn’t work for me, because what I could be doing at one particular time doesn’t define me in totality.
photo credit: gerard gentil
L: What lessons did you take away from your experience?
J:I’m one of those people who has learned not to limit myself nor will I allow others to limit me. I put myself out there, exposed myself in one of the harshest industries out there. I took a chance. I dealt with the possibility of rejection everyday. The experience could have broken me and my self-esteem, but ironically I became more confident. I started from scratch not knowing anyone in or anything about the industry, but somehow managed to politic my way into doing some fantastic things! It was an amazing time in my life. I’m very proud of my portfolio. I can look at all the photos years from now and still beam in remembrance of those wonderful times. I’ve also learned that it’s ok to have more than one passion in life. There’s nothing in this world that I can’t do. And you too
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Nice writing style. I look forward to reading more in the future.
I’ve been reading along for a while now. I just wanted to drop you a comment to say keep up the good work.
Beautiful pics!
thank you for sharing, that is an amazing journey!
Beautiful! Your hair in that bikini pic is fiyah!
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this. Yet another layer to the rich fabric of Jenteel. Keep it coming sis!
I loved this story. Jenteel is truly an inspiration. I also LOOOVE that she attended Cornell. I am at CU now, (graduating 2010 as long as all goes as planned) and I really want to pursue an MPH as well but I am going to take some time off first.
She went off the beaten path and succeeded which is awesome and what being a Cornellian is all about!! Go Big Red
I forgot…Albany NY represent! (She went to grad school in my hometown)
that was a great story and you pics were wonderful!! it’s great that you took a chance and followed a passion.
J is so AWESOME! Seriously! I am lucky to work with her… and Shari too
Wow, Jenteel I had no idea! I love your pictures and your perspective.
sak pase’? i love to see young Haitian sisters doing there thing! you are very inspiring! I am also a young haitian woman wanting to venture outside of my educational background (law). my greatest fear is to grow old and live with so many regrets. thanks for sharing Jenteel!
Beautiful Pics! Thanks for sharing!
such a beautiful and inspirational story. I too am an Ivy grad and an ex-model. I modeled for three years in NYC before I started law school this fall. It was a great experience!!! The only regret I had was not doing it full-time. Nevertheless, the memories are priceless.
hey – ivy league in the house — and still down-to-earth and ready to help others! this was a great post and wow, Ive discovered a whole dimension to Jenteel that I didnt even know
You go girl.. I used to want to be a model, but i was supposedly too short.. 5′6″, but I did a lot of fitness/exercise photoshoots because of my physique, though, but I couldnt see myself doing it fulltime.. SO inspiring to learn more about you J!!! I appreciate it!
Jenteel u r my She-ro
I read some of your posts and was wondering if you wanted to exchange links. Great site.
I think this post is awesome