Throughout Primary and Secondary school, I was always very active in social activities,from dancing to acting and even when we would have Beauty Pageants. In my Junior year (jss1) I was princess of my House in my schools annual Inter- house sport competition,In my senior year (ss1) I was leading my march past for my House in the Inter-house sports and also competed and won several awards for sports ,and lastly, in my ss2 I was chosen as Queen amongst four others for my school. All these where for me were signs to carry on further my dreams. Once I had graduated from Secondary school and move to the UK Four and a half years ago just before I got into university I decided that apart for schooling I was going to pursue my dreams of becoming a super star and making my self a brand. One day I saw an advert in the papers for a Talent search. I took it to my friends and boyfriend and they all encouraged me to audition. My dear friend Ohita helped me get my hair done and my boyfriend followed me for support .I remember not being able to sleep the night before, but found that al my worrying was for nothing as when I got there, I was immediately picked to my greatest surprise. We had a mini photo session, I was a bit nervous but too happy on the inside. After everything I was told I had to pay a sum of £60 to be fully registered with the agency which I did (err BIGGEST mistake ever).They sent me my pictures and that was the last I heard from them .(guess you know what that means )…
RULE 1:
A truly interested agent will NEVER ask you for money.
They will never suggest to you that you need to spend money to make money. If an agent sees real potential in you that is where they will make their money, by taking a reasonable cut of the work that they get for you (usually no more than 15%). Legitimate modeling agencies do not have handling fees, signing fees, agency fees (outside of their cut of work done as noted above) or any other kind of up front before-you-can-be-signed fee...
Oh well! I was not going to let that stop me, soooo moving on. One summer afternoon just as I was walking into the reception of college, a woman who worked there asked me if I was into modeling. I responded saying I was trying to do it professionally and she said she knew someone who runs an agency and can help me further my career. I was thinking to myself “hmmnn another door has opened” wait until you read the twist... Funny now but wasn’t so funny back then… so she gave me a number which again I took to my friends and boyfriend and as usual much support and love was given. I called, and the gentleman at the agency requested to see some pictures, which I immediately organized with my friends and sent, he was impressed. As a result, I went to London to meet with my new agent fingers crossed, got signed and was immediately booked in for a fashion show. I thought to myself hmmmn this one is finally for real and I am now on my way to becoming a star. I participated in a fashion show for Miss Congo UK. I was so happy meeting with other girls like me, I even invited my parents who were pleased and happy for me, furthermore I was approached by the organizers for Miss Malaika to participate! OH MY GOD!!! It didn’t seem real. I was having the time of my life in fact at this point school was the last thing on my mind...
My agent was happy and from there I got more jobs .I am sure some of you are saying this girl must have started rolling in the cheques...hahahaha we are now getting to the twist, I wasn’t!... as my Nigerian people would say Na free… I was constantly told that was how everyone else started... its not like it hurt my pocket to transport my self back and forth after all I was still a kid receiving pocket money and not having bills or anything to pay by myself.
Now here comes the big one. I was told a huge fashion show was taking place in the Hilton by my agent and I was going to take part in it. I immediately called mum and told her but for some reason mum did not want me to go for this one, I guess even mum was thinking “please this people should stop using my daughter” or maybe it was God I do not know. I even asked him to call my mum so she can be rest assured I was in safe hands, which he did. Even my boyfriend was getting tired of all this work and no money... “ahn ahn babes this is not how it is done” he said. By this time I was thinking oh please your just jealous!! Oh well moving on… got my nails done and hair did (lol) all paid for by this wonderful agent and was invited later on for a briefing about the show w. My dear readers this was no ordinary briefing oh…lol….as I said before it is funny now but not in the least bit funny then!….He started telling me how beautiful I looked and how happy he was for me, until this beautiful talk started turning into something else. He started getting personal, trying to say we should take our professional relationship to another level, in other words he was trying to “Toast” me…. He told me to think about his proposition. I was just so heart broken and went home in tears. I understood clearly that this was the end because I knew that he wasn’t asking me, he was telling me. So went home and told mum everything and when he did not hear from me, he sent me a text saying. “There is no need to turn up for the show tomorrow as you won’t be taking part”. Now what am I to do? I constantly asked myself and was beginning to blame my self that it was my fault I should not have just said no... I was confused and finally called it quits, telling myself this would just go on and on and I do not want to wait for the worst to happen. I decided to focus on getting into university and getting a good grade for myself…. Sniff
However, I tell you, that were not the end. Soooo fast forwarding, it was the end of summer and I started University, a big girl now, studying Financial Economics. Trying to gain back my confidence and focus on other things. No more taking part in anything that has to do with beauty and instead focused on being a course rep for my department and do as much extra curricular things I could do in my safe university environment, which I did …
Fast-forwarding again ……….. First year came and went with a good result, new and fantastic friends, wonderful boyfriend, and family around for the summer. It was fun fun fun all the way, what more could I ask for? At the time nothing. Until Christmas 2006 in my second year, as I sat in my room revising for my exams. The thought came back to me. “You need to follow your dreams” I looked through some of my pictures again. I brought it up to my sister and friends who encouraged me. My sister IB would always say “you are better ?” and she would laugh and continue to say it. My dearest friends Folake and Margaret would always say the same whenever we walked past the shops in the city center or when we were watching ANTM. I did not want to let them get into my head. I was scared from my previous experience and have been told it is very common in this industry. “I JUST DON’T WANT TO BE PART OF IT ANYMORE!!!!” I would always say to them…but some where in me I missed it .I loved the camera, I loved the back stage interviews ,the make up ,the after parties…I missed ALL of it …
At the end of the year I came across an audition for a competition called NIGERIA’S TOP MODEL …now this was where the real deal started…a real BITTER/SWEET experience….I lost my friends, my relationship was in shambles, too many secrets and lies, eating disorders, picking up bad habits, all sorts of temptation, TV interviews, making new friends and a whole lot more….Tune in for the next installment…Part 3 coming soon.
P.S(FROM TEAM DIAMOND)
We refuse to indulge in negativity or pessimism. WE believe in empowering people to be their best .SO PLEASE KEEP ALL NEGATIVE COMMENTS TO YOURSELF.WE ARE NOT HERE TO DEBATE OR HATE.YOU DON'T HAVE TO VISIT IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT..ALTHOUGH COMMENTS ARE MODERATED CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM WOULD BE PUBLISHED.XXX
22/05/2009
25/04/2009
BREAST DEFENCE
JUST BEFORE MY NEXT BLOG ON MY JOURNEY SO FAR.I WILL BE ADRESSING OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES INBETWEEN ranging from daily politics and current affairs, to celebrity gossip ,sexism,relationships,religion,careers, and a whole lot more.
Because early detection is a woman's best defense against breast cancer,
About Breast Cancer
The most common malignancy in women is breast cancer. Nationally, about 182,460 women and 1,990 men will develop breast cancer this year. Breast cancer ranks second among cancer deaths in women. When breast cancer is detected early, the five-year survival rate is greater than 95 percent.
Risk Factors
• Simply being female is the greatest risk factor
• Women older than 40
• Women older than 35 whose mother or sister has had breast or ovarian cancer or father had prostate cancer
• Women who have never been pregnant or who first become pregnant after age 30
• Women who have had cancer in one breast or atypical ductal hyperplasia (pre-cancer)
• Women who started menstruation before age 12 or menopause at age 55 or older
• Women who are obese with excessive caloric and fat intake
Anything that increases your chance of getting cancer is a risk factor. Anything that decreases your chance of developing cancer is cancer prevention. If you want to self-assess your risk factors, take the free, online Breast Cancer Risk Assessment .
Warning Signs
A change in the feel or look of the breast
• A change in the size or shape of the breast
• A lump or thickening in or near the breast or in the underarm area
• A warm sensation in the breast
A change in the feel or look of the nipple
• A retraction of the nipple
• A discharge from the nipple
• A rash on the nipple or areola
• Nipple tenderness, increased sensitivity or pain
Nipple Discharge
• Blood or fluid other than breast milk secreted from the nipple
A change in the feel or look of the skin of the breast, areola or nipple
• Dimpling of the skin on the breast (like the skin of an orange)
• The appearance of irritated, red, scaly or swollen skin on the breast, nipple or areola
Breast pain
• Although breast pain is usually associated with benign breast disease rather than breast cancer, it can be a symptom of either condition
Adapted from the National Cancer Institute, American Cancer Society, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
Breast Self-Exam
Monthly breast self-exams along with mammography at recommended intervals are essential for early detection of breast cancer. Not sure about how to do a breast exam? Refer to the following examination guidelines.
Step One ... in the shower
Stand in the shower and with fingers flat (use the pad of your fingers) move your hand gently over every part of each breast. Check for a lump, knot or thickening. Use right hand for left breast, left hand for right breast.
Step Two ... in front of a mirror
With your hands at your sides, visually check for lumps and depressions. Then, placing your palms on your hips, press down firmly, flex your chest muscles and check again. Don't worry if your breasts don't match.
Step Three ... in front of a mirror
Now raise your arms overhead. Look for changes in the contour of each breast as well as swelling or dimpling of the skin and changes in the nipple.
Step Four ... lying down
To examine your right breast, place a pillow or folded towel under your right shoulder and, with elbow bent, lay your right hand on your forehead. Do the same procedure for the other side.
Step Five ... lying down
With fingers flat, use your left hand to press an imaginary clock face on your right breast. Check for lumps or depressions. A ridge of firm tissue in the lower ridge is normal. Move in an inch toward the nipple and make the same circling motion again and again until you reach the center. Repeat with right hand, left breast.
Step Six ... lying down
Gently squeeze the nipple of each breast. Check for any unusual discharge, clear or bloody. Report any lumps, thickening or discharge you discover during this examination to your doctor immediately.
Take part and show support in the against cancer!
Love
MISS DIAMOND
Because early detection is a woman's best defense against breast cancer,
About Breast Cancer
The most common malignancy in women is breast cancer. Nationally, about 182,460 women and 1,990 men will develop breast cancer this year. Breast cancer ranks second among cancer deaths in women. When breast cancer is detected early, the five-year survival rate is greater than 95 percent.
Risk Factors
• Simply being female is the greatest risk factor
• Women older than 40
• Women older than 35 whose mother or sister has had breast or ovarian cancer or father had prostate cancer
• Women who have never been pregnant or who first become pregnant after age 30
• Women who have had cancer in one breast or atypical ductal hyperplasia (pre-cancer)
• Women who started menstruation before age 12 or menopause at age 55 or older
• Women who are obese with excessive caloric and fat intake
Anything that increases your chance of getting cancer is a risk factor. Anything that decreases your chance of developing cancer is cancer prevention. If you want to self-assess your risk factors, take the free, online Breast Cancer Risk Assessment .
Warning Signs
A change in the feel or look of the breast
• A change in the size or shape of the breast
• A lump or thickening in or near the breast or in the underarm area
• A warm sensation in the breast
A change in the feel or look of the nipple
• A retraction of the nipple
• A discharge from the nipple
• A rash on the nipple or areola
• Nipple tenderness, increased sensitivity or pain
Nipple Discharge
• Blood or fluid other than breast milk secreted from the nipple
A change in the feel or look of the skin of the breast, areola or nipple
• Dimpling of the skin on the breast (like the skin of an orange)
• The appearance of irritated, red, scaly or swollen skin on the breast, nipple or areola
Breast pain
• Although breast pain is usually associated with benign breast disease rather than breast cancer, it can be a symptom of either condition
Adapted from the National Cancer Institute, American Cancer Society, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
Breast Self-Exam
Monthly breast self-exams along with mammography at recommended intervals are essential for early detection of breast cancer. Not sure about how to do a breast exam? Refer to the following examination guidelines.
Step One ... in the shower
Stand in the shower and with fingers flat (use the pad of your fingers) move your hand gently over every part of each breast. Check for a lump, knot or thickening. Use right hand for left breast, left hand for right breast.
Step Two ... in front of a mirror
With your hands at your sides, visually check for lumps and depressions. Then, placing your palms on your hips, press down firmly, flex your chest muscles and check again. Don't worry if your breasts don't match.
Step Three ... in front of a mirror
Now raise your arms overhead. Look for changes in the contour of each breast as well as swelling or dimpling of the skin and changes in the nipple.
Step Four ... lying down
To examine your right breast, place a pillow or folded towel under your right shoulder and, with elbow bent, lay your right hand on your forehead. Do the same procedure for the other side.
Step Five ... lying down
With fingers flat, use your left hand to press an imaginary clock face on your right breast. Check for lumps or depressions. A ridge of firm tissue in the lower ridge is normal. Move in an inch toward the nipple and make the same circling motion again and again until you reach the center. Repeat with right hand, left breast.
Step Six ... lying down
Gently squeeze the nipple of each breast. Check for any unusual discharge, clear or bloody. Report any lumps, thickening or discharge you discover during this examination to your doctor immediately.
Take part and show support in the against cancer!
Love
MISS DIAMOND
21/04/2009
THE JOURNEY SO FAR (part 1)
Growing up in a family of seven including mum and dad (although we are now eight thanks to our latest trio who I absolutely adore), and having everything given to me on a platter of gold with diamond all over (hehe), the world was a perfect place to live in.
Coming from a family with generation of beauty queens and royalty off course, I was always told I had the beauty of my aunty who was a former Miss Nigeria, the fashion sense of my wonderful Mother, the best designer in the whole world to me. I was further told I had the brains and power of my Father and my Grand-dad who were both Engineers and Doctors respectively and are counted as part of the most influential men in Rivers state, a legendary voice like that of my Grand-uncle Rex Lawson or maybe the poise and elegance of Grand-ma who was royalty in Ibadan, it goes on and on.
For all my Pink Diamonds (ladies) ever dreamt of you perfect KEN (Barbie’s boyfriend)?Rolling around in a nice convertible with the wind in your hair and then coming back home to a beautiful castle?......
Yes! Yes!! Yes!!! I had that too. Until when I found out even Barbie and Ken broke up. Damn! these 'people' t were my last hope. Now as i open my eyes and hope i open those of every girl reading this, I have realised and want to share this realisation....... there is no such thing as forever and ever and ever. Oh well, moving on , so I still have all my heritage of beauty and power right? WRONG!!! It didn't and still doesn't mean jack in the real world. Just like a house without a solid foundation, it became clear to me that in this world, I cannot depend on anyone OR anything and even my own body can fail me and stop me achieving my long life goal.
Throughout University and College I realized that if I didn't sit down and study hard, dads' brain would not automatically get into my head for me to achieve good grades. It also dawned on me that name dropping can never take you anywhere in the world, except maybe grant you access to see or mingle with people who have worked so hard and thats it. I wasn’t brought up that way anyway so that was and has never been my thing.I also don’t even respect people that do that. I find it quite fickle minded and I would rather blow the little trumpet of my own achievements and if any one does not like it ,well the Diamond Diva doesn’t care…hehe
Apart from schooling, I also have a passion for fashion and trying to break into the industry big time, so when I would go for auditions and casting with more than 20 people saying no, what’s worse is that the people saying no are not are not even as pretty as you and they say things along the lines of "Honey you are a beautiful girl but just not right for this agency, we shall put you in our books for the future" and you know they are just saying a big ass NO!! Plus we are never going to call you, Or I need to loose some weight then you will get so depressed. In light of this, I Thank God for E! THS (TRUE HOLLYWOOD STORIES)...that constantly teaches and gives me hope that the above scenario happens to everyone and that I just need to keep working hard and one day I’ll make it big.
So who do I turn to, where do I go from here?….in next my blog I’ll let you know the steps I took ,from making a good degree at University to how I finally set a name for myself and got in the papers and graced the cover of a magazine ,my TV interviews all in less than 7 months ,the heartbreak and my one true confession of the things I had to do and was asked to do, to get those deals and last but not least, the betrayal I faced from my someone I called my friend who nearly ruined everything for me…....stay tuned....
MISS DIAMOND>
P.S(FROM TEAM DIAMOND)
We refuse to indulge in negativity or pessimism. WE believe in empowering people to be their best .SO PLEASE KEEP ALL NEGATIVE COMMENTS TO YOURSELF.WE ARE NOT HERE TO DEBATE OR HATE.YOU DON'T HAVE TO VISIT IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT..ALTHOUGH COMMENTS ARE MODERATED CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM WOULD BE PUBLISHED.XXX
Coming from a family with generation of beauty queens and royalty off course, I was always told I had the beauty of my aunty who was a former Miss Nigeria, the fashion sense of my wonderful Mother, the best designer in the whole world to me. I was further told I had the brains and power of my Father and my Grand-dad who were both Engineers and Doctors respectively and are counted as part of the most influential men in Rivers state, a legendary voice like that of my Grand-uncle Rex Lawson or maybe the poise and elegance of Grand-ma who was royalty in Ibadan, it goes on and on.
For all my Pink Diamonds (ladies) ever dreamt of you perfect KEN (Barbie’s boyfriend)?Rolling around in a nice convertible with the wind in your hair and then coming back home to a beautiful castle?......
Yes! Yes!! Yes!!! I had that too. Until when I found out even Barbie and Ken broke up. Damn! these 'people' t were my last hope. Now as i open my eyes and hope i open those of every girl reading this, I have realised and want to share this realisation....... there is no such thing as forever and ever and ever. Oh well, moving on , so I still have all my heritage of beauty and power right? WRONG!!! It didn't and still doesn't mean jack in the real world. Just like a house without a solid foundation, it became clear to me that in this world, I cannot depend on anyone OR anything and even my own body can fail me and stop me achieving my long life goal.
Throughout University and College I realized that if I didn't sit down and study hard, dads' brain would not automatically get into my head for me to achieve good grades. It also dawned on me that name dropping can never take you anywhere in the world, except maybe grant you access to see or mingle with people who have worked so hard and thats it. I wasn’t brought up that way anyway so that was and has never been my thing.I also don’t even respect people that do that. I find it quite fickle minded and I would rather blow the little trumpet of my own achievements and if any one does not like it ,well the Diamond Diva doesn’t care…hehe
Apart from schooling, I also have a passion for fashion and trying to break into the industry big time, so when I would go for auditions and casting with more than 20 people saying no, what’s worse is that the people saying no are not are not even as pretty as you and they say things along the lines of "Honey you are a beautiful girl but just not right for this agency, we shall put you in our books for the future" and you know they are just saying a big ass NO!! Plus we are never going to call you, Or I need to loose some weight then you will get so depressed. In light of this, I Thank God for E! THS (TRUE HOLLYWOOD STORIES)...that constantly teaches and gives me hope that the above scenario happens to everyone and that I just need to keep working hard and one day I’ll make it big.
So who do I turn to, where do I go from here?….in next my blog I’ll let you know the steps I took ,from making a good degree at University to how I finally set a name for myself and got in the papers and graced the cover of a magazine ,my TV interviews all in less than 7 months ,the heartbreak and my one true confession of the things I had to do and was asked to do, to get those deals and last but not least, the betrayal I faced from my someone I called my friend who nearly ruined everything for me…....stay tuned....
MISS DIAMOND>
P.S(FROM TEAM DIAMOND)
We refuse to indulge in negativity or pessimism. WE believe in empowering people to be their best .SO PLEASE KEEP ALL NEGATIVE COMMENTS TO YOURSELF.WE ARE NOT HERE TO DEBATE OR HATE.YOU DON'T HAVE TO VISIT IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT..ALTHOUGH COMMENTS ARE MODERATED CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM WOULD BE PUBLISHED.XXX
20/04/2009
In the BEGINNING
hello DIAMONDS,
So I have decided to do a blog.YES! YES!! YES!!! Like everyone else trying to say something about themselves ,bitch about the next,cannot afford a quality website ,trying to get famous or just an honest writer.
This blog is all about ME.Being a graduate,Model,fashion designer,entrepreneur running my own PR/talent agency. There are so many things about ME so it is left for you the readers to decide what category to put this under.
The aim is not to give you full on details about my personal life,but to take you through the journey of the life of a typical girl chasing the dream not the competition and living the life she always imagined growing up.This would include the highs and the lows,the obstacles and great achievements I have faced in other to inspire others especially young girls like myself.
I have a very wild imagination and would express my opinions on people,fashion,relationships,religion and things that affect me and/or around me which may be great to some people and not to others.
but whatever the case is, good or bad you're still part of my Diamond journey..
As they say what is not started today is never finished tomorrow.
STAY FABULOUS,
MISS DIAMOND.
P.S
We refuse to indulge in negativity or pessimism. I believe in empowering people to be their best .SO PLEASE KEEP ALL NEGATIVE COMMENTS TO YOURSELF.WE ARE NOT HERE TO DEBATE OR HATE.YOU DONT HAVE TO VISIT IF YOU DONT LIKE IT..XXX
So I have decided to do a blog.YES! YES!! YES!!! Like everyone else trying to say something about themselves ,bitch about the next,cannot afford a quality website ,trying to get famous or just an honest writer.
This blog is all about ME.Being a graduate,Model,fashion designer,entrepreneur running my own PR/talent agency. There are so many things about ME so it is left for you the readers to decide what category to put this under.
The aim is not to give you full on details about my personal life,but to take you through the journey of the life of a typical girl chasing the dream not the competition and living the life she always imagined growing up.This would include the highs and the lows,the obstacles and great achievements I have faced in other to inspire others especially young girls like myself.
I have a very wild imagination and would express my opinions on people,fashion,relationships,religion and things that affect me and/or around me which may be great to some people and not to others.
but whatever the case is, good or bad you're still part of my Diamond journey..
As they say what is not started today is never finished tomorrow.
STAY FABULOUS,
MISS DIAMOND.
P.S
We refuse to indulge in negativity or pessimism. I believe in empowering people to be their best .SO PLEASE KEEP ALL NEGATIVE COMMENTS TO YOURSELF.WE ARE NOT HERE TO DEBATE OR HATE.YOU DONT HAVE TO VISIT IF YOU DONT LIKE IT..XXX
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