Model Watch: Mariah Perkins

Vitiligo beauty, Mariah Perkins is a Maryland-born new face who dreams of modeling for Calvin Klein and obsessed with crime television shows.

Name: Mariah Perkins

Agency, if any: JG Talent and Entertainment

Age: 21 years old (October 7th)

Height: 5’6

Instagram: @WorldOf_Riah

Where were you born? Maryland

Ethnicity: African-American

Zodiac Sign: Libra

Favorite things: Dancing, video games, crime shows, and dogs.

What music are you listening to at the moment? I’m loving Cardi B. and a lot of what music on the radio. But, I love music in general.

Favorite movie, tv show: My favorite movie is ‘The Greatest Showman,’ and my favorite tv show is “Law and Order: SVU.”

Favorite designer, fragrance or grooming/beauty product: Typically I tend to wear more brands like H&M or Forever21, but I do enjoy designers like Gucci and Calvin Klein. I love Beyoncé Pulse and Michael Kors. I love Neutrogena facial products. As far as makeup goes, I love Anastasia, MAC, Fenty, and Urban Decay Eyeliner.

What would you be doing if you weren’t modeling? Hopefully dancing and traveling to dance behind different artists, or pursuing my degree in Criminal Justice to be a Behavioral Analyst.

What’s something uncool that you love anyway? I never really pay attention to what’s uncool, but I’ve always been a Nerd for video games, reading novels, watching anime, and going to different science museums.

What’s the best thing about your hometown/country? What I love about Maryland is we have the BEST crabs. I am a Maryland baby born and raised, and I love seafood.

Place you would love to visit: In the states, I’d love to visit Las Vegas and Miami. As far as traveling the country, I plan to travel to Spain, Canada, and London.

Which brand would you like to model? Calvin Klein, Victoria’s Secret, Fashion Nova, H&M, or Forever21.

Favorite modeling experience so far? I did a shoot under running water which was a fun and different experience. Would love to try it again.

When did you realize you were unique? When I finally started to embrace my Vitiligo, and I saw all of the support I was receiving. It made me know I was special.

Why do you feel it’s vital to include Vitiligo models in fashion and advertising? To show that people like us are beautiful and show that we can be confident and that we are ordinary people too. It’s great to see us more often, so we are more normalized and also to educate people about vitiligo as well. I think we can be empowering and inspiring to people to embrace their true beauty.

When did you start modeling and are there any models who inspired you along the way? I pretty much just fell into modeling through dance and just embracing my vitiligo. People like Winnie Harlow inspired me because she showed me that we can be confident just the way we are and that our skin is nothing to be ashamed of.

Favorite season? Fall! I love sweaters, chilly nights, and Halloween.

Favorite junk food? Cookies and coffee ice cream are guilty pleasures of mine.

Where do you feel the most stuck in your modeling career? Just trying to figure out different looks and ideas to try to look innovative. I find it difficult at times to come up with concepts for shoots.

Currently, you’re obsessed with or about? I am obsessed with crime shows, studying criminals, and Psychology.

3 Words that best describe you as a person? Positive. Open-minded. Hardworking.

Favorite entertainer or public personality? I love Salice Rose as a public personality, and I love Beyoncé and Chris Brown as entertainers.

Your favorite quote? “Nobody can make you feel inferior without your consent.” – Eleanor Roosevelt (I love this quote because it speaks to my self-confidence. As long as you believe you believe you are beautiful and believe in your abilities, nobody else can change that opinion of you.)

Any shoutouts? My family. Just for them always being there to support me. My managers for guiding me through my journey. Jay, for including me in this beautiful shoot. And everybody else who follows me and shows me support on social media. I truly am grateful!

Featured image by Derek Chase | IG: @thephotochase

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