This is apart of our Ask A Professional series where we ask real adults about their profession.

Who are you?

I am Tatiana Elizabeth, Im 22 years old. I live in NYC and I model for MSA Models.

 How long have you been modeling?

I have been modeling professionally for about a year, unprofessionally 2.

How did you break into the industry?

I started modeling by accident actually, I was still living in Maryland and would commute to New York for fashion week internships. After constantly being told by designers and friends that I should model, one day it clicked that I should try it out.

Did you always know you wanted to model?

I didn’t know I wanted to model, it never was a dream of mine, I never even knew it was a serious job because everyone around me who claimed to be models just did photoshoots. I looked at it more so as a hobby.

 What’s a secret about the modeling industry?

One secret about the industry is it isn’t as glamorous as it seems, people don’t realize that the photoshoot is the last step of the process. You need to first get casted, or requested, maybe a call back or two then you finally have the shoot, the process is way more tedious than I think people think it is.

Did you get a lot of support?

I didn’t at first, my parents wanted me to do the traditional thing, go to school get a “real” job etc, they didn’t want me to be a model because they didn’t understand.

Now they are so supportive, they realize that not only is this something that I love but it is my income as well. At the end of the day my parents want me to be successful, now that they see that I am successful doing something I also love, they are all for it.

 What other things do you do besides model?

Aside from modeling, I have a skincare line called skinBUTTR. So between those two things Im pretty busy.

 Is it hard being a black model?

Yes and no. I feel like there are so many things that divide models, which is just the way of the industry so I don’t think its necessarily harder. Sometimes being a black model with curly hair books my jobs that a model who isn’t wouldn’t have booked. Its all about finding an agency and booker that believes in you and will push you to clients.

Toughest things about being a model?

One of the toughest thing about being a model for me is time management, I am basically on call at all times (unless I book out) Sometimes I get a casting last minute that starts in an hour and Im home with pimple cream on and crazy hair lol, you have to always be ready. Thats the main thing that I had to get used to.

How did you feel when you heard you got selected to be on America’s Next Top Model?

To be honest, initially I didn’t want to do the show, I am a very private person and I like to show people what I choose to show them, but after I thought about it more and realized the opportunities it could present me with, I was excited. This is a show that I used to watch every week, so the fact that I am about to be on it blows my mind. I still don’t think it has hit me yet.

Any advice for aspiring teen models?

Just to go about it the right way, get an agency, get scouted, and realize that it is fun but it is a business. There is a lot of opportunities out here if you do your research and take it seriously. Keep your skin and body clean, and never take “No’s” personally.

Catch Tatiana on America’s Next Top Model premiering December 12th!