Nikeya Young - Plus Model/Singer/Songwriter/Actress/Chicago Plus-Size Fashion Examiner

Victoria Secret Model Quits Because of Her Christian Beliefs...

2012-02-10T03:09:00.001-06:00

Everyone who knows me knows that I am a Christian 1st & everything else second:-). My stance on refusing to model cleavage-bearing, revealing clothing, lingerie & etc. has been well known in Windy City fashion circles over the years. Perhaps that's why I got this article sent to me at least 4 times as soon as it hit the web:

http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/fashion/kylie-bisutti-leaving-victoria-secret-age-21-modeling-lingerie-conform-christian-beliefs-article-1.1019683

When I read this article, I was filled with an overwhelming sense of pride and admiration for 21 year-old Kylie Bisutti. I'm sure this was a difficult decision for her, not because it wasn't the right thing to do, but because of the backlash she knew she'd receive. Still, she pressed forward & chose what would be pleasing to God, instead of what would be pleasing to man. I am excited about the press that this story has received as well. Kylie even did a segment on Good Morning America! I am certain that MANY young girls and women saw her story and got the courage that they needed to pursue their dreams WITHOUT compromising their faith. Perhaps women who were doing things they knew weren't pleasing to God saw Kylie's story and got the courage they needed to repent and turn things around.

My thoughts and prayers are with Kylie during this time because I know that the devil is MAD at her & is already plotting many "counter attacks" but greater is He (God) that lives within us, than he who is in the world! Looking at some of the comments on articles written about her, the criticism is already starting to pour in from skeptics. Some of the main criticisms I've seen are:
"Why did she even go into modeling at all if she's a Christian?" -<----THIS! Really?! So being a Christian means you can't be a model? I didn't get that memo. This criticism is listed 1st because it's the one I've seen more than ANY other. When Kylie won the Victoria's Secret contest, she was just 19 years old. From what I've read, she was a Christian then, brought up in a Christian household, and trained up in the way she should go. However, she had to be tested. True, she initially failed a HUGE test, by signing up to be a lingerie model, but in the end, the Word that was sown into her prevailed. Proverbs 22:6 says that if you train up a child in the way he/she should go, when the child is old, he will not depart. I'm sure MANY of us (saved or unsaved) can recall moments when we did some things that we weren't proud of, though we knew better. Thank God for his grace!

" She's just doing this for publicity. She earned the money that she wanted & NOW she quits? After TWO YEARS?" <-------THIS, ladies and gentlemen, this RIGHT HERE is the danger of ever compromising in the 1st place. What you compromise to get, you must compromise to keep (if you want to remain on THAT level)! Satan wants to rob you of your testimony! He wants to take the credit for your success. When Christians compromise what they believe (and get PAID big for it), they take the glory that God would have gotten out of what they've done, wrap it up & put a bow on it, and give it to Satan! The compromiser's credibility takes a beating for some time. It's rough. This is why the body of Christ needs to support Kylie like never before! She's gonna need the prayers and support. TWO years of modeling for Victoria's Secret means they've got 2 years of film and video footage of "Christian" Kylie in her underwear that they can pull out of their arsenal and show whenever they want....and trust me, they will!

"Good luck on booking more jobs Kylie! Hope you saved all that VS money because no agency will wanna touch you after this!" <------ Unfortunately, this might be very true....at first! However, God will honor Kylie with something even greater in the long run (and perhaps the very near future, depending on Kylie). This industry is run by some very wicked people who likely despise Kylie for doing this and have already put out word to "blacklist" her. There may be a dry spell in terms of work for a while. If this happens, the devil will try EVERYTHING in his power to get Kylie to go back to her VS roots. Satan LOVES to pull people back into compromise after they've publicly gotten back on track! It's a common tool he uses to make fools out of Christians/God. Another possibility is that God can step in and bring Kylie more work than she was getting before! She can still end up being a supermodel. There's definitely a shortage of models repping the Kingdom of God in a strong way. It's all up to Kylie. By the way, if you find yourself in a situation where you've had to step away from something because it wasn't pleasing to God, make sure you step COMPLETELY away! Don't hang around the same people that represent the "old" you. Be cordial to them, but find a new circle of friends that are headed in your same direction. If you're a model and you have pictures on your web sites, in your portfolio, & etc. that represent the "old" you, take them down. For Kylie, I would STRONGLY suggest you change your Twitter handle from @VSKylie ASAP!!! #1 - You no longer work for them and #2 - You want to start rebranding yourself as Kylie Bisutti, not "Former Victoria's Secret model Kylie Bisutti".

Ultimately, God wants His children dominating in the entertainment industry, and in every other major sphere of influence that the kingdom of darkness has taken control over. We have stood back and assumed that God doesn't care about movies, music, fashion/modeling, and other forms of entertainment. This "hands off" approach has created an atmosphere where we've been asking permission from the kingdom of darkness to enter into this industry!!! THIS is why I wrote "Taking Dominion" - to encourage Christians to STAND UP for God, be skillful and have the "10 times better" anointing and DOMINATE!

**I feel it is apropos to end this article with this song. PLEASE click on it after reading through the article: http://rpricemusicgroup.bandcamp.com/track/taking-dominion

Happy 31st Birthday to Me:-)! My New Single "Taking Dominion" is available NOW!!!

2012-01-31T13:41:00.000-06:00

Today is my "Golden" birthday:-)! In case you're wondering what that means, it's when your age and the date of your birth are the same number. Well, I'm celebrating in style today with the release of my latest single "Taking Dominion". This single is a call-to-action for Christians EVERYWHERE, but especially for Christians in the entertainment industry (Modeling, Music, Acting, & etc). In the song, I am encouraging all Christians to rise up and take DOMINION in the various spheres of influence that God has called them to. "Stop trying to fit in, you're meant to stand out..."!

I can't tell you how many times I've run across people who are literally shocked to learn that I am a model/singer & etc. AND a Christian WITHOUT COMPROMISING! This is sad people. It really is. Young girls, and even grown women have said to me "I always wanted to be a model, but I don't wanna show my breasts and be walking around half-naked! It's just too much of that going on, so I left that alone.." . These women had literally given up on their dreams of ever being models because of "the way this industry is" rather than pressing forward and BEING the change that they long to see in this industry!

All one needs to do is read Genesis 1:26 to see that God created the Earth and then gave us (His Kingdom citizens) DOMINION or "Authority" over everything in it! We've subsequently given up our authority to the kingdom of darkness. Then we wonder why the industry/the world is such a hot mess??! I could go on and on about this topic because it's something that I am VERY passionate about, but I'll wrap things up and leave you with a quote by Hollywood Film Executive DeVon Franklin from his book "Produced By Faith". It's a MUST READ:
"Standing up for God changes how people see you. Suddenly, in a world where everything is relative, you're an absolute. You're a person of integrity, someone who's word can be trusted, and more important, someone God can trust.." -Devon Franklin

Don't be so afraid of "missing out" on something. That's the biggest trick of the enemy! He wants you to settle for "money" when God is trying to bring "WEALTH" into your hands! NOTHING this world can offer you is greater than what God has for you if you stand your ground. And with that being said, click on www.nikeyayoung.com , download "Taking Dominion" for FREE until 2/29/2012, and sound off in the comments section:-)!

God bless ya'll:-)!
-Nik

East Coast Plus-Size Clothing Company "Eddy & Bri" Announces the Winner of Their Blogger Search....

2012-01-02T11:51:00.001-06:00

The official press release/announcement appeared on their Facebook page this morning. Eddy and Bri has chosen the winner of their blogger search, and the winner is.....
ME :-)! What a great way to kick off 2012! I am looking forward to working with this awesome clothing company! If you've never heard of us, check us out at www.eddyandbri.com . Here is the official press release: http://mim.io/6b5cd1 .

Eddy & Bri features new & resold clothing for the plus-size woman at AMAZING prices! You'll definitely be pleased with their selections!

Nikeya Young - New Music in 2012...

2012-01-02T04:36:00.000-06:00

It's here!!! R. Price Music Group & Kulture Records presents "The Golden Age 2012" Mixtape (also referred to as GA2012). The mixtape was inspired by a sermon of the same name that Bishop Tudor Bismark preached during the 2011 International Faith Conference at Living Word Christian Center. You will hear excerpts of the sermon in each of the songs. I STRONGLY suggest getting & listening to the whole sermon!! Once you do, you'll see why it impacted us so strongly that we built a whole mixtape based on it! You can purchase the entire Bishop Tudor Bismark sermon along the the rest of the dynamic International Faith Conference speakers here: http://www.billwinston.org/bwm_productDetail.aspx?id=3740&ti=256&type=Audio . For more info on Bishop Tudor Bismark, you visit his website at www.jabula.org .

I am SOOO excited about this project! The way it all came together was truly supernatural! God placed all of the right people and resources in our hands, and the rest is history:-)! This cd contains 6 songs by various artists. I have two songs on the album. "Won't Settle" is the Christian Single Ladies anthem for 2012! I am rapping the 1st verse and singing the hook/background vocals. JO is singing the second verse. I LOVE this song! There is nothing more frustrating for me than seeing an awesome woman settling for less than God's best for her life, especially when it comes to relationships! This song is a declaration that "I Won't Settle For Less! I'm royalty so I deserve the best..". The second song is a solo entitled "ALL!" and it's also a declaration that it's time to reclaim EVERYTHING that the devil has stolen from you! 2012 in the Year of the Harvest.

Here is a youtube link to "Won't Settle": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3ry-6Vc3tg
The other four songs on this album feature some of the HOTTEST rappers I've EVER heard (Christian or otherwise)! You will TRULY be blessed by this mixtape! And get this....IT'S FREE!!! PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE download this & tell everyone you know to do the same! Here's the link to get your copy: http://rpricemusicgroup.bandcamp.com/ .

**By the way, I'm halfway through the recording of my solo debut album:-)! I will give more details as we get closer to the release date, so stay tuned! In the meantime, please go download the mixtape and leave me a comment or two:-). What are your favorite songs?

2011 - My Year in Review

2011-12-31T19:48:00.003-06:00

*Sweeps cob webs off of blog* WOW! It has truly been a very long time since I've written a blog on here! As many of you know, I am the Chicago Plus-Size Fashion Examiner for Examiner.com. Writing for that has kept me pretty busy. 2011 was a VERY busy year for me in general, so that didn't leave very much time for self-reflection. While the opportunities that I was blessed with in 2011 were AMAZING, I shouldn't have let them deter me from taking time out for myself to self-reflect, read some good books, and & etc. Since 2012 is already shaping up to be just as busy, I'm going to resolve to "stop and smell the roses" more often:-). This has the potential to be a very long blog, but I'll do my best to keep it short, especially since I'll be heading out to New Year's Eve church service at Living Word shortly:-). I'll review 2011 in a series of lists:

2011 Highlights (Personal and Professional):

1. Rodney Young Jr. - It's great being married to the BESTEST husband ever:-)!

2. Got one of my articles "Midwest Plus-Size Fashion Innovators" featured in USA Today!!! *Feel free to check out the last entry I wrote in here back in September for more details on that awesome testimony:-)!

3. Built relationships with some awesome designers & industry people

4. Moved to Chicago (Yes, I still miss the peace & quiet of Downers Grove from time to time, but it's GREAT to be closer to church, business opportunities, friends, and family members).

5. Got laid off from my job as a special education teacher (this may seem like a "low", but being that the layoff afforded me the opportunity to pursue my passion, it was definitely a great turning point for me).

6. Became the Chicago Plus-Size Fashion Examiner for Examiner.com:-)!

7. Modeled in 19 Fashion Shows/Trunk Shows in 2011!

8. Won FFF Week's "Biggest Fan" contest with over 16,000 votes!!

9. Branched out as a tv host for "ThYck Tv"

10. Served as a panelist for the M.E.D.I.A. Girls Foundation's "True Beauties Brunch" and met Naturi Naughton:-).

11. Began working on my album:-)! It's half-way done & due for release in the Spring.

12. Got the opportunity to be featured on "The GA2012 Mixtape" :-). The mixtape is set to be released in less than 6 hours (midnight) & is available for FREE download at www.rpricemusic.com . I think that ya'll are going to be TREMENDOUSLY blessed by this mixtape! I am featured on two of the 7 songs: "Won't Settle" and "All".

13. Got signed to one of the best talent agencies in the Midwest:-)! This was a LONG time coming!

Worst Moments of 2011

1. The death of Plus Model/Size Advocate/Mentor Mia Amber Davis on May 10, 2011 - This news really hit me like a TON of bricks:-(. I've had the pleasure of working with Mia. She was and is one of my favorite Plus models in the business. To lose her so suddenly at 36 years old in the prime of her life was hard for ALL of us in the Plus-Size community

Lessons Learned in 2011
-If God be FOR you, who can be against you?
-Everyone who hears about your success isn't happy about it (even if they initially appear to be).
-Cast not away your CONFIDENCE, for it hath GREAT recompense of reward. -Hebrews 10:35
-Everyone you came with can't go with you on the next leg of your journey to the next level...and that's totally ok:-).
-"No" is a very powerful word. You don't have to say yes to every opportunity. Every "good" opportunity is not a "God" opportunity. Choose your projects wisely.
-Persistence brings results.

Backstory: How I Wound up in USA TODAY!!!

2011-09-03T07:16:00.000-05:00

So, USA TODAY/Media Planet USA made a bold step and created a 24-page fashion insert entitled "Full-Figured Fashion: It's About Time!" and yours truly was a contributing writer for this AWESOME PROJECT!! I know you may be wondering "How in the world did YOU end up in USA Today?" About a month ago, I received a call from one of the advertisers who was seeking models to shoot for her advertisement that is listed on the cover of the insert. I hadn't heard of her company before, so I looked up her company's web site and saw that she sold lingerie. I politely thanked her for thinking about me for this project, but told her that I do not model lingerie. Any of you who know me, know that I do not model anything that is overtly sexual (cleavage-bearing, too-short & etc.). Yes, this skims down my modeling opportunities a bit. Yes, this causes people to make erroneous assumptions about me: "Oh, she's insecure about her body." (I'm VERY comfortable with my curves, and so is my husband!) "Oh she's a diva! As a model you're not supposed to tell someone what you won't wear. You just wear WHATEVER they give you!" (REALLY? Ok, while that's true to a great extent, NO ONE will have control over how I brand myself but me & my hubby and God!) and the one I hate the most - "Why is she judging? She's self-righteous/thinks she's better than everyone else." That last one really gets me! How does a personal choice that I am making based on what God has given me to do, have ANYTHING to do with the choices YOU choose to make for yourself?! Don't judge me for NOT showing skin/body parts, and I won't judge you for choosing to do so! My opinion of what you do is NOT who's opinion you should be concerned about anyway!

But I digress.

The woman on the phone admired me for standing up for what I believed in. She asked if I knew where she could find other models, and I pointed her in the direction of my full-figured performance troupe (www.thycktroupe.com) . It was a knee-jerk reaction and after thinking about it later, I repented for referring someone an opportunity to do something that I didn't believe in myself! However, we are all grown and have to discern and weigh things out for ourselves. My model buddy Toy Monique was very appreciative of the opportunity to be on the cover:-)! She is pictured front and center at the bottom of the ad. David Shepherd of Chicago's David Shepherd Photography shot the photograph, and Yvonne Wallace of Face Canvas Makeup Artistry did the makeup for all of the lingerie models. So 3 people that I know and work with can now share in my joy of having their work appear in a national publication. I told my husband about the spread and that I turned it down. His response was that God would bless me with something even greater:-). I agreed, but thought out loud "This Full-Figured Fashion insert sounds like a HUGE deal! I wish I knew how to get involved with it! Wouldn't it be awesome if I could write an article in it or something? Oh well."

About a week or so later, someone posted something in a LinkedIn discussion group that I take part in. I rarely ever check LinkedIn (though this article situation has CERTAINLY changed that!) and the message was actually in my spam folder. I opened it and saw in the message preview that it was from someone connected with the USA Today article! I quickly followed the link and saw that it was from the Senior Publisher and she's posted her contact information and asked people to contact her to find out how they can get involved! After reading the post thoroughly I saw that it had been up for a little while. I think it was actually a day after the deadline when I saw & responded to the publisher with my bio and info about my writing experience with The Chicago Plus-Size Fashion Examiner and PLUS Model Magazine. She responded to me on a Wednesday and wanted me to join the project! She gave me a list of all of the topics being discussed and told me that if I could generate an original topic, write about 400 words and have it to her by Friday (2 days later), to let her know & I could do it:-)! After a brief "OMG!!!" freak-out moment and a pow-wow with my good friend and ThYck Troupe Artistic Director, we were able to come up with an idea for a good, original topic that I was already a subject-matter expert in (after all, there was no time for extensive research - I ONLY HAD TWO DAYS!). After getting off the phone, I sent my topic to the publisher, it was enthusiastically approved, and I started scrolling through my virtual Rolodex and calling designers & industry heads that I've built relationships with over time.

And the rest, as they say, is history...or "HERstory" :-). If you haven't gotten a chance to read this PHENOMENAL Full-Figured Fashion spread, PLEASE do so! It has gotten RAVE reviews and curvy women across the nation are walking a little taller with an extra spring in their step after reading it:-)! Here's the link (my article is on page 20): http://doc.mediaplanet.com/all_projects/8269.pdf

All thanks be unto God for giving me this opportunity, and to Media Planet USA for being the vessel through which I got to share an excerpt of my writing with the nation, and people worldwide who have also caught wind of this fashion insert! This is ONLY the beginning! God still has something even GREATER in store:-).

Tragedy of EPIC Proportions - BORDERS Bookstores CLOSING!!!

2011-07-21T14:49:00.000-05:00

Yes, I have virtually neglected my own personal blog since signing on with Examiner.com . My sincere apologies:-). That being said, I MUST speak on something that BROKE my heart when I heard the news this week....BORDERS Bookstores across the nation are SHUTTING DOWN:-(! Yes, their liquidation sales are going to be EPIC, but that's beside the point!! Now only those who are CLOSEST to me (or who ever taught me during grammar school) are aware of my love of reading and writing. I was the kid who couldn't wait for the Bookmobile (a HUGE blue & white air-conditioned library on wheels) to roll through my hood on Tuesday afternoon so I could check out the latest books! I must've won EVERY book club/reading award that Tulsa County Library ever gave out during the summer!

My love of reading continued through 8th grade. I think like most people, it started to dwindle during high school & finally the college years when the print became MUCH smaller and reading became a "chore". Still, I would make time to read books for leisure in between academic quarters, and during those times, BORDERS (or Barnes & Noble, which is ALSO becoming extinct) would be my kick-it spot of choice! Being the Psych major that I was, I made a beeline for the self-help section of the store. One of my favorite authors during college was Iyanla Vanzant. Then I got into the books by all of my favorite televangelists: T.D. Jakes, Paula White, Juanita Bynum, Creflo Dollar & etc. I was all about reading things that empowered me, or equipped me with the wisdom I needed to be all that I could be.

Now, as a fashion model, aspiring make-up artist, Plus-Size fashion Examiner & etc, I read books about make-up techniques and style magazines. Most of what I need to know can be found online, and perhaps that's the problem. With the rise of social media, blogging, and the like, people aren't running to their neighborhood BORDERS or Barnes & Noble to hang out, score the latest books, and etc. Reading just isn't valued the same way it was when I was a kid. I realized this long before now, but I somehow thought that these big bookstores would ALWAYS be around, ready to welcome us back with open arms once we'd all decided to push away from our keyboards and pick up a book. I'm horrified to know that I was wrong. I'm also horrified that the loss of these bookstores isn't a big deal to society. Reading truly is a lost art. A lost way of gleaning information. Why get a book when we can just "Google" what we want to know? What's it going to take for us to see the value in it again... the loss of libraries??

Color-Struck: "Where Are All of the Dark-Skinned Plus Models?"

2011-06-15T08:31:00.000-05:00

Hey Everyone! I STRONGLY encourage you to read this article that I wrote on the Chicago Examiner and forward it to as many people as you can! It's a shame that in 2011 dark-skinned models are getting FAR less work than bi-racial or light-skinned models!

http://www.examiner.com/plus-size-fashion-in-chicago/color-struck-where-are-all-of-the-dark-skinned-plus-models

Ok Ohio, LeBron's Gone.....GET OVER IT ALREADY!!!!

2011-06-14T08:31:00.000-05:00

**Just saw this RIDICULOUSITY on CNN.com

The Governor of Ohio has declared the Dallas Mavericks "Honorary Ohioans" for their defeat of LeBron and the Miami Heat! Now, I will be the first to say that I was wholeheartedly rooting for the Mavericks AND I'm no LeBron fan, but this has gone ENTIRELY too far! The Governor of Ohio should have FARRRR more important things on his plate than dissing LeBron!

They (the Cleveland Cavaliers, and the entire state of Ohio) need to focus on rebuilding the team and moving on with their lives! If you all have been placing THIS much pressure on LeBron to be the "Savior" of your city/state , then it's no wonder he left! GEEZ!

Read the full story below:
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2011/06/13/kasich-unloads-on-lebron-declares-mavericks-honorary-ohioans/#more-163352

My Chicago Examiner Site (Update)...

2011-06-10T13:03:00.000-05:00

So, my first week as a Chicago Plus-Size Fashion Examiner has gone well! I have some great articles posted and it's really been a lot of fun:-). I am still brainstorming for ways to get more people to see my article. If you're reading this, you can help me out by posting my links to your facebook walls, and/or tweeting them! Here's the link to today's article:

http://www.examiner.com/plus-size-fashion-in-chicago/head-turning-swimsuits-for-the-curvaceous-woman

My First "Chicago Plus-Size Fashion" Examiner Article is Live!!

2011-06-06T14:55:00.000-05:00

Ok everyone, the first article is up! Check it out here: http://www.examiner.com/plus-size-fashion-in-chicago/chicago-plus-sized-modeling-troupe-non-profit-organization-holds-orientation

Please encourage as MANY people as possible to support the Chicago Plus-Size Fashion Examiner articles. If you're interested in advertising on my site, PLEASE let me know. Also, if you have any curvy news that you'd like me to spread to the masses, please let me know.

XOXO's,
Nik

Please Welcome Chicago's Plus-Size Fashion Examiner...MOI:-)!

2011-06-06T10:07:00.000-05:00

I am VERY excited to announce that I have just taken on a blogger position with the Chicago Examiner:-)!!! My blog "Curves in the Windy City" will feature all of the latest happenings in Chicago's Curvy Community. I will also talk about major happenings in the Curvy Community throughout the country. This blog will have more of a "newspaper" feel to it than my personal blog. Don't worry, I will still write my thoughts down here and keep you up to date with what's going with my modeling/acting/singing career:-).

As soon as I post my first article on the Chicago Examiner, I'll let you know!

Stay Tuned.....

Why It's CRUCIAL for Small Businesses to Just Say "NO" to "Hook-Ups"....

2011-06-03T01:29:00.000-05:00

By summer's end, I will be launching a few small businesses. That being said, my bout of insomnia tonight (due to falling asleep on the couch for 3 1/2 hours earlier in the evening) was WAAAYYY worth it! I just stumbled upon this article that Black Enterprise tweeted:

http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/28PF1i/www.blackenterprise.com/2011/06/02/4-reasons-for-small-business-owners-to-stop-giving-hook-ups/

Where do I begin?? There's so much TRUTH in this article, it doesn't make sense!!! Friends and loved ones, PLEASE do not be offended when I don't give you "hook-ups" once my businesses are launched. Besides, if you love me and really want to see me do well, you should WANT to pay me what I'm worth, right?

XOXO's,
-Nik

Reinventing Myself.....AGAIN:-)!

2011-06-02T14:57:00.000-05:00

As many of you know, I'm a school teacher. I've been teaching for about 5 years as a special education teacher in various schools in the City of Chicago. Though I like mentoring kids and working with youth at my home church and in various settings, my teaching experience in the inner-city has been LARGELY unpleasant. I have walked away from teaching vowing never to return on more than one occasion, but always found myself back in a classroom for all of the wrong reasons (mainly because my resume only shows teaching experience, which has made it difficult to do much else without going back to school and starting over.

Anyone who knows me knows that all I've ever wanted to do since I could talk was be a performer (Singing, Modeling, Acting, Dancing). But like most of us, I was advised to "get a real job" since the entertainment industry is so fickle & hard to break into (especially for curvy divas like me). This wasn't bad advice. There are start-up costs to modeling/acting, so income is definitely needed. However, I'm a firm believer in doing work that you enjoy. So that's why I wasn't upset in the least when my principal called me into her office yesterday to say that the teacher I was hired to replace (because she was promoted to case manager), is unhappy with her position and wants her old job back. "Sorry Mrs. Young, I don't have another position for you."

Yes, this was WAAAAYYY wrong (I mean SERIOUSLY?? Who does that?). That being said, I INSTANTLY saw the brighter side of things:
1) I am under contract, so I will still get paid every two weeks until August 15th.

2) After that, I can apply for unemployment benefits:-). The last time I walked away from teaching, I quit, so I wasn't eligible for unemployment benefits. This latest development changes things quite a bit...IN MY FAVOR:-).

So you see, what the devil meant for evil, God has turned it around for my good. My job has just basically given me 6 months pay for 3 months of work, and sealed the deal for me to receive pay for up to 2 years (or until I find other employment).

So what do I plan to do with this new-found freedom? My head is just spinning with SO many ideas! First things first, I was on a roll with my weight loss before I started back teaching. I haven't gained any weight, but I haven't lost anymore either. I've been holding steady at 219 or 220. That's about to change...BIG TIME! With my days free, I'll be frequenting Women's Workout World on a daily basis. By summer's end, I'll be under 200 pounds, and by Fall's end, I'll be a size 12. This will only boost my modeling opportunities through the roof!!

In addition, I am making plans to become....A CERTIFIED MAKE-UP ARTIST:-)! This is something that I've always wanted to do. Not only will this save me a ton of money as a model (I will be able to professionally do my own make-up, so I won't have to hire someone every time I do a photo shoot), but this could be a very lucrative side hustle for me!

I'm VERY excited about what the future holds!

"Why Do The Good Die Young?" Dispelling the BIGGEST Myth of All...

2011-05-12T12:53:00.000-05:00

I am still reeling from the death of our precious Mia Amber, as we all are. Whenever someone so young and full of promise leaves us, for whatever reason, SEVERAL emotions flood our minds and hearts: anger, deep sorrow, confusion, and back to anger again. We try to find answers to explain how this could have happened. However, in the midst of my shock and grief, I must pause to correct one GIANT MISCONCEPTION: God is NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS!

I have seen this time and time again. A child dies due to gun violence. A car accident claims the life of someone. Someone dies of cancer. A perfectly healthy, beautiful, 36 year-old Wife/Plus Model/Actress/Producer/Magazine Editor goes to L.A. for work, gets knee surgery one day and dies the next...and we say: "The Lord must've needed another Angel", "The Lord needed her/him more..", and the MOST taken-out-of-context scripture of all time - "The Lord giveth, and the Lord taketh away." I can't be angry at people for their innocent ignorance, but I can loving point you in the right direction by sharing a very key truth with you.

Allow me to elaborate...

3 John 1:2 (Amplified Bible) says "Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in every way and [that your body] may keep well, even as [I know] your soul keeps well and prospers.

John 10:10 (Amplified Bible) us "The thief (Satan) comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it [a]overflows)."

The Word of God makes it CRYSTAL clear that it isn't his will for us to die of sickness/diseases & etc. nor is it his will for freak accidents to cut our lives short. Mia Amber was in the prime of her life when she suddenly passed away this week. One of her final tweets read "I'm excited about the future" and she had EVERY reason to be. So who is responsible for the untimely deaths of people (young and old)? SATAN is responsible for this! John 10:10 describes Satan as the ULTIMATE hater! He literally has nothing better to do with his time than to plot and scheme on ways to steal, kill, and destroy God's children. This is why it is important for us to stay prayed up daily and seek the wisdom and protection of God at all times! Satan never takes a day off, and neither should we.

Yes, the Bible says that for those of us who are Christians, "To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord". -II Corinthians 5:8

This is true whether you die before your time or not, but just because our Mia is in heaven with God right now does not mean it was in his perfect will for her to abruptly abandon the purpose He specifically called her to, her husband, mother, family, and friends.

I realized the danger of this backwards way of thinking firsthand when my 46 year-old mother died of Lupus complications in 1995. I was 14 years old. As my relatives & I struggled to understand why she was gone, I frequently heard people (pastors even) uttering words like "God took her home because it was her time to go." Being an impressionable teen, I quickly deduced that if God was so calloused and unmerciful to snatch my mother from me 3 weeks before my 8th Grade graduation, then he didn't ever have to worry about me serving him EVER AGAIN! My faith in God was completely rocked to the core...just what the devil wanted. Luckily I had a whole army of people praying for me, and I did eventually start going back to church & found my way back to God.

My fellow Christians, we have GOT to watch what we say in the midst of our grief. We could literally lead someone away from God without even trying. Remember Proverbs 18:21: "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they who indulge in it shall eat the fruit of it [for death or life]." In other words, we shall have whatsoever we say! We can't continue to say what the world says ("The good die young." , "Live fast, die young." , "Death always comes in 3's." and other foolishness! Our words are POWERFUL.May the Holy Spirit continue to comfort Mia Amber's family/friends and all of us during this difficult time. And may the devil pay us ALL back sevenfold for what he has stolen from us when he snuffed out the life of Mia Amber Davis.

In Jesus' name, Amen.

Remembering Mia Amber Davis: PLUS Model/Actress/Industry Icon

2011-05-11T11:04:00.002-05:00

It is with deepest sorrow that I type these words...Mia Amber Davis has died. Anyone who has ever strapped on a pair of stilettos and dared to be a plus model knows the significance of this overwhelming loss. Mia was someone that we ALL loved and looked up to, and not just because she stood at least 6'1" barefoot:-)! Mia was literally and figuratively "larger than life". Her presence commanded your attention. Her accomplishments are too numerous to list, but include Ashley Stewart Model, PLUS Model Magazine Creative Editor-at-Large, Actress (Road Trip movie, Redman music video), and Size Acceptance advocate just to name a few.

I had the pleasure of meeting Mia Amber for the first time during a photo shoot with Lucas Pictures that I did back in 2009. *The link below details my experience with my mentor:-): http://nikeyayoung.blogspot.com/2009/11/sneak-peek-my-photo-shoot-with-lucas.html

The last time I saw Mia in person was this past Fall. I was modeling in a fashion show in Wisconsin and Mia Amber was the special guest at the show. She came backstage to hang out with the models behind the scenes and I went up & greeted her. We had some small chit chat and I was a little frantic because I'd just found out that I was to be a part of a scene that I hadn't been fitted for and the show was set to start in less than 10 minutes & the designer wasn't even there yet! "This is too much! I'm not even gonna stress myself. I'm just not doing the scene!" I said. *The Lord is working with me on being patient.* I'll never forget her sage words of wisdom: "No, go ahead and do the scene. You'll be fine. We have to remain professional even when others are not..". I took her advice, resolved in my mind that I would treat this designer with the utmost respect and fit with her 5 minutes before I was to go on-stage, and it all worked out great!

My husband sat next to her during the show that night and we took pictures with her afterwards and went home. It was great having her in the audience that night. She has been a "Mother Hen" to MANY of us in the PLUS community either directly or indirectly.

I remember going shopping with her in Times Square for our shoot. We got to a SUPER CROWDED street & just as I was standing there pondering "Lord, how long is it going to take us to cross THIS? I suddenly found myself in the middle of traffic! Mia had taken hold of my hand like I was her daughter (I'm only 5'7" so I'm sure that I certainly looked the part) and bolted into the street! LOL! As that memory crosses my mind right now, that's how I'll remember her. BOLD and Fearless! As plus models, we can't stand on the side of the road and wait for the obstacles that stand in between us and our destination to pass by before we decide to "move". We could be standing there for a LONG time! We've got to take the same stance that Mia took in her life/career, and in the middle of Times Square that day. "You can choose to let me in or not, but I'm getting to my destination one way or another! If you don't make a way for me, I'll TAKE a way."

Mia was to the curvy community what Michael Jackson was to music, a legend!

Rest in God's Arms Diva!

The TRUTH (As I Know It) About IStock.com

2011-05-03T11:22:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, it was brought to my attention that my face has been featured on the FRONT COVER OF A BOOK! "No way" I thought. I checked my messages during my lunch break & my friend even sent me the link! Sure enough, my face (and the faces of 4 other plus models who may or may not be aware of this) was featured on the cover of a new book entitled "Full Figure Fashion Report" by Cynthia Hutson. http://www.fullfigurefashionreport.com/ (I'm the girl on the far left in the purple dress).

The book is for sale for $20. So will I be receiving a cut of the proceeds from this book? Nope. Is this even legal?? Unfortunately, yes. Allow me to explain....

Back in 2008, during the first year of my plus modeling career, I agreed to allow a photographer to put a picture from our photo shoot on a web site called istock.com . I knoew of several other models who had done this and I was told that it's a great way to get your picture out there/exposure. This is true:-). Sounded good to me! I was new in the game and unsigned by any agencies. My photographer was AWESOME at what she does and this was a way to get her work out there as well.

The OTHER Truth:
The downside of allowing your photos to be used for istock.com is that you have no control over who purchases your picture from istock.com, or what they are using the picture for! The same photo featured on the cover of this book, for example, has been used as a "before" picture in a pop-up ACAI Berry diet ad (that ended up all over myspace and was VERY embarrassing), and on a BBW Hot Singles site (also VERY embarrassing since I do NOT condone internet dating, and am happily married)! Someone in Texas notified me that the picture was used for a flyer for a plus-size fashion show in Texas as well, which wasn't too bad. Being on the cover of a book is actually GREAT exposure for me, but I'm more than a little bummed that the author will be making money off of something with MY face on it, and I'm not entitled to any of the proceeds according to istock rules:
"...(c) Permitted Uses. Subject to the restrictions described under Prohibited Uses below, the following are “Permitted Uses” of Content:

1.advertising and promotional projects, including printed materials, product packaging, presentations, film and video presentations, commercials, catalogues, brochures, promotional greeting cards and promotional postcards (ie. not for resale or license);

2.entertainment applications, such as books and book covers, magazines, newspapers, editorials, newsletters, and video, broadcast and theatrical presentations;

3.on–line or electronic publications, including web pages to a maximum of 1200 x 800 pixels for image or illustration Content or to a maximum of 640x480 for video Content;

4.prints, posters (i.e. a hardcopy) and other reproductions for personal use or promotional purposes specified in (1) above, but not for resale, license or other distribution; and

5.any other uses approved in writing by iStockphoto."

*The above list includes all of the things that people are allowed to use your picture for according to Istock.com.

Something on a MUCH larger scale made headlines a few weeks ago when the mother of a young child became INFURIATED (and rightfully so) when an istock.com picture of her child ended up on a billboard in Times Square in New York City on a poster that read "The most dangerous place in the world for an African-American Child is in the womb." (Abortion ad)! That was certainly NOT the exposure that this mother hoped to get for her daughter!

I personally STRONGLY advise that models refrain from allowing their photos to be placed on istock.com. However, should you choose to do so, READ THE FINE PRINT CAREFULLY and proceed at your own risk!

Check Out My Article "PLUS Industry Super Moms" in the May Issue of PLUS Model Magazine!

2011-05-03T10:51:00.000-05:00

Hey Everyone! As you already know, the start of a new month means a new issue of PLUS Model Magazine! This month's issue features an article that I had a GREAT time writing entitled "PLUS Model Industry Spuer Moms". I was inspired by my own concerns about having a baby and what it would mean for my budding entertainment career. I personally don't place limits on myself, but there have been several people who have taken it upon themselves to tell me "Once you have kids, you're going to have to say goodbye to all of that modeling stuff!" Ibeg to differ!

This inspiring article gives testimonies from plus models/insiders who have children and are managing to be GREAT mothers to their kids while still pursuing their dreams!

Here's the link: http://www.plusmodelmag.com/General/plus-model-magazine-article-detail.asp?article-id=409672951

Let me know what you think:-).

"The New ThYck" Fashion Exhibition at the Toyota Creative Lounge

2011-05-01T17:17:00.000-05:00

As I've mentioned before, my fellow ThYck Troupe of Chicago models and I have been gearing up for our debut fashion show for quite some time now. After months of perfecting our walks and being featured in other people's fashion shows, we debut our 1st fashion show in style on Thursday, April 28th at Toyota Creative Lounge...and it was a BIG SUCCESS!!!!

The show featured several designers such as: Chinoo Designs, Crescendo Apparel, Chocolate Sushi Couture, Foot by Just Human, J-NA Designs, Deztinni, Courbes Sera, Shavonne Dorsey Designs (Shavonne Dorsey is a new Designer-in-Residence for the Macy's Chicago Fashion Incubator program), SoundChick Accessories, and Coldwater Creek! I was in the show so I won't get to see all of the AWESOMENESS of the show until our casting party in a couple of weeks! God's favor was upon us to even be chosen, let alone sponsored, by the Toyota Creative Lounge and EVERYONE who attended was truly inspired by the full-figured beauties/designs on display! We definitely set the bar high for all of our future shows going forward.

Of course I have some snapshots from the night of the event:-):

I finally got a chance to me Cynthia Boykin of "What You Need Is" & I got some good netwoorking in too:-)! The ThYck Troupe of Chicago made history with this show! I am so proud of my TTOC sisters. Our future is as bright as the Sun!

The Pandora's Box Fashion Experience = AWESOME to the 10th Power!

2011-04-11T16:16:00.000-05:00

I had the pleasure of walking in Beau Ideal's inagural fashion show "Pandora's Box" this past Saturday, April 9th at The Connection on 43rd & Cottage Grove, and I am STILL on cloud 9 from that experience! Beau Ideal is a fashion show production company founded by Ken Patrick. Pandora's Box is the first of the company's efforts to provide grant money for inner-city kids to help them attend college. The designers featured in the show were :(and pay attention to the following names because they are SURE to become household names in the near future!) - Fraley Le, Van Dang St. Frimpong, Julius LaCour, Socca, Kiyoko Linden (the sole Plus Size designer in the show), CiER, Malachi Artese, and Love Dia.

There were three stages of the show that revolved around the mythical story of Pandora's Box: Innocence, Chaos, and Hope. The "innocence" portion involved brightly colored clothing, while the Chaos portion included edgier, avant garde pieces. The music for this portion was darker and even included a song called "Welcome to Hell", symbolizing the "hell" and chaos that was unleashed upon the earth once Pandora's Box was opened. Of course, the show couldn't end on such a dark note:-). If you remember the Greek myth of Pandora's Box, "Hope" was the last thing that remained in the box. The last scene "Hope" saw brightly colored designs return to the runway. I was VERY happy to be a part of the "Hope" scene:-)!

The make-up for this show was very theatrical! There were props, including an actual decorated "box" that we walked through to get to the runway. Everything was so well-planned. The show started ON TIME, which I must say is the first show I've ever been a part of that started & ended in a timely fashion! The runway portion lasted 30 minutes, YES I said 30 minutes, and then the guests had time to meet-and-greet, check out the vendors, eat fabulous cuisine, which even included Jerk Chicken, and peruse the fabulous artwork inside the venue.

The designer that I walked for, Kiyoko Linden, was SUCH a sweetheart! After the show, she actually let us KEEP OUR OUTFITS! That's another 1st for me:-). Her designs are AWESOME by the way. I love that she doesn't shy away from bright colors. Who says plus size women have to wear black all the time?! I thoroughly enjoyed myself! 3 of my ThYck Troupe of Chicago sisters (A. Jene, Michelle Marie, and Toy Monique) shared the runway with me and we repped "big gurls" to the FULLEST:-)! All in all, it was DEFINITELY an unforgettable fashion experience! I am very humbled and honored to have been chosen as one of the models in this FABULOUS show, and I look forward to working with Beau Ideal in future endeavors!

**By the way, I neglected to mention that the venue was COMPLETELY SOLD OUT!!! Beau Ideal CEO Ken Partrick and his staff actually had to turn people away at the door so the Fire Marshall wouldn't shut us down!

Check Out My Blog Features for Deztinni Clothing Line:-)!

2011-04-04T14:00:00.000-05:00

I am a featured print model for Deztinni Clothing Line and.....

Deztinni has recently been featured in 3 different blogs with my photo included:-)! Check 'em out for yourself:

http://www.biggirlrunway.com/2011/03/14/deztinni-by-ashanti-nichole/

http://www.chicagofashionresource.com/designers/333

http://www.examiner.com/fashion-designers-in-chicago/chicago-fashion-designer-ashanti-hamilton-of-deztinni

God is good!

Where's The Justice??!?!?!

2011-03-31T19:08:00.000-05:00

Ok, let me preface this by saying that this is in no way against the beautiful young woman who won this contest.......

That Being Said....

The winner of Essence Magazine's Driving Innovation in Style contest was announced on their web site. Essence picked 5 top finalists (I was among them) and then asked their fans to let them know whom they felt should win. I received more votes/likes than all of the other contestants, but was NOT chosen as the winner of the contest! I was the only plus-size contestant in the running. Perhaps Essence (Or Nissan) just wasn't ready for a curvy print model? Whatever the case, THIS SUCKS:-(!!!

I'm not a sore loser, but BE FAIR! I truly HATE when people hold casting calls/contests & etc. and ask for votes or have people lining up to participate when they already know who they want from the jump! DON'T WASTE MY TIME!!! Here I am constantly posting on FB/Twitter and e-mailing people to make sure they vote, and then they do it & get me the most votes & I STILL lose??

Check out the link for yourself: http://www.facebook.com/#!/album.php?fbid=501653102854&id=68771922854&aid=277505

Someone's got some explaining to do! #TeamCurvy

#LowKey I wanna get rid of my Nissan now. This is some bull!

Seeking Balance: Job, Home, My Dream (Singing/Modeling/Acting)

2011-03-23T16:12:00.000-05:00

I have been back in the workforce for nearly a month now and things have been HECTIC!! Moving to the city has definitely made life much busier as well. I must admit, though I LOVE our new 1200sq ft apartment & location, at times I REALLY miss the peace and quiet of the suburbs. I also miss having a washer/dryer in my apartment! Last night I made my 1st trip to the laundromat in a month! You can just about imagine how long it took for me to finish the laundry:-).

My work day is long & intense (7:30-4:00pm - teaching special ed students) & by the time I get home I have to get dinner started because the hubby gets in around 5:15pm. We eat/relax for a few hours & then it's time to go to bed & wake up and start over again! I have praise & worship rehearsal on Tuesdays from 8-9pm . Thursday evenings I work on writing/recording my album. Friday is date night. My Saturdays & Sundays are usually spent working on my passion - Modeling/Singing/Acting:-)! I've got 2 big fashion shows coming up: The Pandora's Box Show on April 9th, and "The New ThYck" - ThYck Troupe's very FIRST fashion exhibition at the Toyota Creative Lounge here in Chicago! I auditioned for a 3rd show that takes place in May, but I haven't heard back from them yet. Anyhoo, I have TONS of rehearsals coming up for these shows!

Somewhere in the midst of all of this, I have to find time to take care of myself (working out, eating right, getting PLENTY of rest/relaxation), AND spend quality time with my husband/family/friends. After all, life can't be all work & no play right? In just 4 weeks I have gone from having almost too much time on my hands (due to being unemployed) to working like a Hebrew slave & not ever having enough hours in a day to complete the MANY tasks on my "to-do" lists! Is anyone else out there experiencing this??? How are you coping with it? #HELP!!!

GREAT News!!! The Essence Magazine/Nissan Driving Innovation in Style Contest Finalists Have Been Announced, and.....

2011-03-19T19:59:00.000-05:00

Yours truly made the list:-)!! Check out the link at: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?fbid=501653102854&id=68771922854&aid=277505

The winner of this contest will receive a $1,000 gift card, and their picture will be featured in an editorial for Essence Magazine AND Nissan! There are 5 finalists listed and my picture is the first one on the list:-). Please click the facebook link that I posted above, and leave an album comment letting Essence know that you want "Nikeya Young" to be the winner! God is truly good! I am the only "Plus Size" finalist so....BIG GIRLS UNITE! Let's make it happen! #LBVS :-)

"Mrs. Young" is Back:-) !

2011-03-02T18:33:00.000-06:00

This week has been a week of "Starting Afresh". Rodney and I just moved into our new Chicago apartment yesterday:-). The place is a MESS and I really need to be unpacking stuff instead of sitting here blogging! LOL:-)! However, I like to take at least an hour or two to unwind when I get off of work before I jump into doing anything else. I'm off the Master Cleanse, with a new "healthy eating" action plan, and I started my new job today! I have officially returned to the classroom. Yep, that's right "Mrs. Young" is back:-)! And get this, the school is 5 minutes away from my new residence! This has got to be THE most convenient commute to work that I've EVER had! Yet, unfortunately I was STILL 7 minutes late to work today:-(. #DontJudgeMe

I got to work on time, but the parking situation there isn't the most convenient so I had to circle around for awhile to find one. By the time I parked and signed in..I was late. It was my first day so no one held that against me:-). Now I know to budget some extra time in for that. All in all, my first day teaching since the end of May went well:-). There's going to be a transitional period for at least 2 weeks with me & the current teacher co-teaching. Next week is ISAT testing, and there's no school this Monday due to Pulaski Day, so it should be a pretty easy week.

Please keep me in your prayers. I will definitely stay "prayed up" each day. Being a special education teacher is a tough enough job, but if you try to do it in your own strength???? WHOA NELLY! LOL!

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." - Phil. 4:13

I DID IT!! My Master Cleanse Journey is Coming to an End:-)!

2011-02-28T13:28:00.000-06:00

Saturday was the last day of my Master Cleanse journey! Yesterday, I began the "weening off" process and I got to have"Orange Juice"! Simply Orange NEVER TASTED SO GOOD! I drank orange juice and water yesterday, and I'm pretty much having the same thing today, but.... I get to have vegetable soup for dinner:-)! Tomorrow, it's water, juice, & soup with fruit. On Wednesday, I'll be able to eat normal, HEALTHY meals:-). I'm actually REALLY glad that I did this! I'll do another one probably at the end of the summer, and then another one at the top of 2012. I heard it's good to do a cleanse at LEAST twice a year.

I was talking to a girlfriend of mine earlier and she mentioned some procedure that you can get that cleanses all of the waste from your system. I forget what it's called. Anyhoo, it's $75 dollars. I told her that the Master Cleanse does that for far less money:-). So, what were the results of my "Master Cleanse"?

-I've gone from 233 to 215.
-I feel MUCH healthier & energized.
-My skin looks clearer (this is something that only I would notice because I've got good genes & clear skin anyway. But it's CLEARER than usual).
- I dominated my flesh for 10 days straight! I didn't let my body tell me what to do. I told IT what to do, and that felt GREAT!

Now that I've got my food desires under control, I can implement a new healthy eating plan with no problem. My body and I are "starting over fresh".

Master Cleanse Journey -The End Is Near! * Day 8

2011-02-24T08:45:00.000-06:00

So, It's Day 8 of The Master Cleanse for me & I am doing GREAT! I feel an extra surge of strength because the end is near::-). Saturday, February 26th is my last full day of the cleanse and on Sunday I'll begin the 3 day process of weening off the cleanse. On Sunday, I get to have orange juice and water. I know this doesn't seem like a big deal, but when all you've had for 2 weeks is laxative tea & cayenne pepper lemonade, orange juice is a PRETTY big deal:-)! So, I have lost a considerable amount of weight. From 233 to 217:-). By the time I'm completely off of it, I'll likely be somewhere around 210. I was going to try to push it to 20 days since I'm doing so well on it, but..........

I GOT A NEW JOB!!!! *More on this in a separate post:-).

Anyhoo, since I'm going to be teaching children with special needs all day, I'm going to need lots of energy/food. Besides, I can't afford to have to go to the bathroom all day at work! LOL! Most people with desk/corporate jobs can do this with no problem, but for teachers going to the bathroom gets kinda tricky. There has to be someone watching your class each time, or you have to time it to where you go when the kids switch classes. On the Master Cleanse, when you have to "go" waiting is not an option!

The important thing to remember with the cleanse is that you're naturally going to gain some weight back as soon as you start eating again, but how much you gain back depends on what you eat after the cleanse. I plan to start my journey back to healthy eating with a diet of mostly fruits & vegetables and very little meat. We're going grocery shopping after we're moved in to our new place on Tuesday and I can't wait to buy all of these yummy healthy foods that are going to keep me looking and feeling GREAT! The hubby & I have been eating pretty healthy, but during the course of this cleanse, and reading "Why Christians Get Sick" by Rev. George Malkmus <----EXCELLENT BOOK* I've learned that we could be eating even HEALTHIER than we already have. Although it's going to be a sacrifice financially, we're going strictly organic and buying all of our foods at Whole Foods/Trader Joe's. We've been spliting our shopping between Whole Foods (meats & produce) & Aldi's for everything else, but the foods at Aldi's aren't necessarily the healthiest most of the time.

I'll be back with a wrap-up post that'll include before & after pics once I've completed the cleanse:-)!

Operation Detox - My Journey on the Master Cleanse

2011-02-19T10:21:00.000-06:00

I started the Master Cleanse on Thursday. Many of you may remember it as the diet that Beyonce mentioned in her preparation for the Dreamgirls movie. First, I would like to clarify, it is NOT a "diet". The Master Cleanse is just what it's name says it is: a CLEANSE. Its purpose is to rid your body of many harmful toxins, and if you're not going to follow it up with some SERIOUS changes in your diet, then you're wasting your time! So just how does this cleanse work?

Here's the basic recipe...

1. 2 tablespoons of lemon juice

2. 2 tablespoons of organic maple syrup grade B

3. 1/10 teaspoon of cayenne pepper powder

4. 10 oz glasses of distilled water (This is around 295ml of water)

You also need a non-caffeinated laxative tea, such as "Smooth Move" which you can find at Whole Foods. As well as half a pound of non-iodized sea salt. You start your morning with a Saltwater Flush. and then drink at least 6 to 8 servings of the lemon juice, cayenne pepper, maple syrup, & water mixture. Drink the laxative tea at night before you go to bed. You cannot eat ANY solid foods! You have to do this for 10 days. To come off the cleanse, follow these instructions:

Day 1 & 2 - Drink several 8 oz glasses of fresh orange juice. Increase water consumption along with the juice.

Day 2 - Towards the end of Day 2, eat vegetable soup or chili w/no meat

Day 3 - Have the juice again in the morning, soup for lunch, & evening meal w/ mainly veggies, fruit, & salad. Avoid meat, fish, eggs, bread, pastries, tea, coffee, or milk.

Day 4 - Resume normal, healthy eating. Try to limit the consumption of highly refined carbs & high fat meat products.

I'm on Day 3 so far & I've lost 8 pounds since last week. TO be fair, I just came off my cycle, so at least four of those pounds lost could be attributed to that, which means that I've lost at least 4 pounds in 2 days on the cleanse! The 1st 2 days, I just did the lemonade, until I got an e-mail from them (subscribed to www.themastercleanserecipe.org) & learned that I was missing 2 very important ingredients: the salt & the tea! As soon as the hubby gets back with the car, I'll go to Whole Foods & pick up those items. EVERYONE who's done this says that Day 3 is the toughest, but for me it was Day 1!

I will continue to update you on my progress as I go along:-).

2011 Chicago Blizzard Snowmageddon

2011-02-02T20:20:00.000-06:00

I find it hilarious that the VERY next day after my birthday, the city of Chicago was hit with a storm SOOO bad, it closed Chicago Public Schools for the first time since January of 1999! I'm not a big "news watcher" these days. It's WAAY too depressing. I may occasionally log on to CNN.com just to keep current on world affairs, but that's it. My southern relatives knew more about the impending Chicago Blizzard than I did. My husband and I just "happened" to go grocery shopping on Sunday after church and that place was PACKED! I'd heard little rumblings about a snowstorm, but I wasn't particularly alarmed because....well it's Chicago! I assumed it would be just like any other storm.

WRONG!

I overslept and missed my original voice lesson time of 11:00am. I tried to reschedule for another day. By then I'd logged on to the Chicago news web sites and started to get a feel for just how serious this storm would be and I didn't wanna be on the road at ALL! But my voice teacher didn't have any other availability. She said that I could come at 12:45. I figured that should be ok because the storm was set to start until about 3 or 4 pm. I went out, had a GREAT lesson and we talked and shot the breeze for a little bit. She didn't realize the seriousness of the storm either and said "I guess I should've went grocery shopping." The store was down the street from her & I said "YES! You need to be walking out with me as soon as we're done here!" We opened the door and BOOM! The storm had begun earlier than predicted!

I helped her get the snow off of her car so she could go to the store, and I left her apartment in Hyde Park (off 47th & Lake Shore) at 2:30pm. I didn't walk through the front door of my West Suburban apartment until 6:00pm!!!!! You can see what my front entrance to my apartment looks like. SMH...
I was hungry, and tired and I had to pee, but once I hit that highway, I was not stopping until I made it home! I had to get on Lake Shore Drive to switch over to the Stevenson for the long trek back to the burbs, and the LSD was a HOT mess at 2:30 in the afternoon! It would later morph into the stuff Horror movies are made of. I talked to my cousin Regina from Oklahoma City for a little bit. They were watching the news & called to check to see if I was ok. She freaked when I told her that I was currently driving through the storm! I told her not to worry. I would be fine. I wasn't sure whom I was trying to convince more, my cousin or myself! Chicago Winters are NOT FOR PUNKS! We're used to having to drive in less than savory conditions, but this was unlike anything I'd ever seen!

I didn't talk on the phone for long. I don't have a car charger & I wanted to conserve battery life. I plugged in my MP3 player and listened to the 2010 International Faith Conference that was held at my church back in September. Instantly I felt inspired and at peace:-). The sermons helped the time pass by much faster and took my mind off of how much I had to pee, how hungry I was, how pissed I was at myself for not following my 1st mind and staying home instead of leaving for some voice lessons knowing a snowstorm was coming, and how I had to make sure I hadn't celebrated my LAST birthday the previous day & avoid a tragic car accident! Sitting in my 2005 Nissan Sentra listening to John Bevere, the peace of God took over & I knew I would be just fine. I made it home safely, and as soon as I walked through the door (and FINALLY got to use the bathroom!) the storm intensified to the point where it was thundering & lightning while snowing! The winds were blowing at 70 miles per hour! Lake Shore Drive was trending world wide on Twitter until just hours ago because it got SO bad that it had to be closed down & hundreds of motorists had to SPEND THE NIGHT ON LAKE SHORE DRIVE!!!

God TRULY spared me! From now on, I will listen to the Holy Spirit when he whispers "Stay Home." and I will make sure that my car has blankets in the trunk and a full tank of gas all winter long! This storm has truly been one for the record books! It will go down in history & Rodney and I will be talking to our kids about where we were during the Chicago Blizzard of 2011!

Where were you when the blizzard hit? Tell me your story!

30 FIERCE & FABULOUS!!!

2011-02-02T19:07:00.000-06:00

As many of you know, I hit a VERY important milestone on Monday, January 31st...I turned 30 years old!! I celebrated my birthday on Saturday, January 29th at Uncle Julio's Hacienda in Lombard, Illinois. Anyone who knows me knows I LOVE Mexican food:-)! I hung out with friends and family for 4 hours laughing and eating. I really felt loved and blessed! I got some GREAT presents as well! I received over 400 birthday wishes on my Facebook page as well as many texts/phone calls! The response was overwhelming and I can't even articulate into words how much it meant to me that SO many people were thinking of me!

On Monday, the birthday celebration continued with Rodney fixing me a delicious, healthy dinner, and surprising me with a SUPER yummy chocolate cake afterwards:-)! We sipped on Welch's Sparkling White Grape juice and I blew out my candles and made a "decree" (I don't do "wishes"). It was a very sweet, romantic evening.

So how does it feel to be 30 years old? GREAT! I'm sure as time goes by & it really sinks in, I'll have even more to say about it:-). I feel "for ALL intents and purposes" grown now! LOL! I accomplished a LOT in my 20's: earned 2 degrees, married an AWESOME man of God, launched a Plus Modeling, singing, acting career & more! But ya'll haven't seen ANYTHING yet! I was just taxiing the runway during my 20's. But the 30's??? IT'S TIME FOR LIFT OFF BABY!

Frenemies, Part 2: How to Avoid Becoming a "Frenemy"

2011-01-28T12:08:00.000-06:00

So, yesterday's article on Frenemies was VERY popular & made it's way around FB pretty quickly:-). Let's see if today's article does the same, as it requires you to take a long hard look at yourself. In such a competitive industry like the entertainment industry (modeling, music, acting), one obtains a great deal of "frenemies", but while you're shouting "AMEN!" to my previous article, ask yourself: Have I ever been someone's frenemy without even realizing it?

Here's how you can tell:
1) When you and a friend audition for the same gig, and your friend gets it, are you GENUINELY happy for them?

2) Are you a part of the "one-up" club? Meaning, when someone tells you something like "I landed a print gig with____!" Do you respond with "Oh that's cool, but my agent is in talks for me to shoot for 5 other designers." or pretty much say anything you can come up with to "top" their previous response?

3) Do you hang out with people who are at & above your level, or do you deliberately surround yourself with people whom you feel you can manipulate or control *Basically, people who worship you & all that you've accomplished & are just trying to get on YOUR level?

*This only stunts YOUR growth by the way.

4) When your friend buys a new dress, do you go out and get the same dress & then wear it first to make it look like SHE copied you? "That's SO high school Nikeya! What grown woman would do some petty mess like that?!" You'd be surprised...

5) If your friend is happily married & you're not, do you constantly try to bring up reasons why you're "Glad I'm single 'cause I do XYZ & I don't have to worry about...blah, blah, blah". OR, on the flip slide, if you're married, do you constantly try to rub it in your single friends faces that they're alone? Example: "So, have you found anybody yet? No? You're not getting any younger! Fret not dear, I'm sure it'll happen for you eventually."

I can't tell you how many times people tried to make me feel like I was "less than" when I was single! Be CAREFUL! Many of those people ended up asking me to pray for them when their marriages were in trouble and/or their "perfect mate" dropped them like a bad habit!

This list could go on & on ,but the point that I'm making is this: ENVY NO ONE! At the heart of jealousy is really the spirit of fear and a lack of trust in God on your part. If you REALLY believed that God would give you the desires of your heart, then you wouldn't be coveting what someone else has! There's room for EVERYONE to succeed! Models, don't hate when another younger, prettier model steps onto the scene! You're still just as beautiful as you've always been! You've just gotta make sure your inner beauty matches your outer beauty!

I'll leave you with this tragic, TRUE STORY:
As many of you know, today marks the 25th anniversary of the explosion of the Challenger space shuttle. This shuttle was carrying Krista McAuliffe who was to be the 1st schoolteacher launched into space. I remember my high school history teacher, Mr. Marcum bringing us pics of himself and the ill-fated schoolteacher. He was a part of the "Teachers In Space" program and one of the finalists for the coveted spot on the shuttle:
http://www.worldspaceflight.com/bios/teacher.htm

*If you click the link, you'll see his name as one of two finalists for my hometown state, Oklahoma.

Krista was the "lucky" one chosen. I'm sure that as the rest of the finalists watched her triumphantly wave goodbye and then launch into the sky, there were some that thought "Why couldn't that have been me God?! No Fair!" ....until about 73 seconds later when the unthinkable happened.

Exactly. Be content with what you have & where you are on the way to where you're going! If this article has helped you, please feel free to comment and share:-)!

Ways to Tell If Your "Friend" Is Really a "Frenemy"...

2011-01-27T14:20:00.000-06:00

I think it's HILARIOUS that the word "frenemy" is actually in the Webster's Dictionary now! Here's the Webster's definition:

Frenemy - n. one who pretends to be a friend but is actually an enemy

I feel it's important to know who your "frenemies" are so that you don't mistake them as friends and tell them information about you that they will in turn use against you. Here are some easy tell-tale signs:

1) In the social media world, an online frenemy can easily be spotted when, they follow you, but ignore your friend request when you try to follow them. This literally just happened to me. I recently posted about my entry into an online contest for Black Opal asking for votes. Almost instantly this young lady's picture appeared in the contest. I noticed that she'd joined my fan page, so I thought "Oh let me add her as a friend too". I added her and waited. It's been about a week and she did not accept my friend request. What's more ridiculous is the fact that I can't even FIND this chick on Facebook anymore which means SHE BLOCKED ME! Yet, she was still on my Facebook Fan Page until I just deleted her behind moments ago. SMH. Moving on..

2) You've done a lot of things for them, not even asking for anything in return really, but just because you wanted to and you're a nice person, but they haven't done a SINGLE thing to support you. In fact, it's almost like they make it their personal mission to see to it that you don't advance as far as THEY (or other people in their ''clique'') do.

3) Here's a sure-fire way to tell if you have a "frenemy" in the modeling industry - You attempt to work with someone (let's just say, a designer or someone like that) and they continually SHUT YOU DOWN! You know you haven't done ANYTHING to offend this person because you don't even know them like that, and you've never worked with them, the only common connection you share with them is....you've guessed it - The Frenemy! Chances are, your dear friend (Oops) - "frenemy" has whispered some divisive words to them about you to ensure their own place at the top of the ladder & keep you back. SHADY Huh?!

4) They LOVE to call you and tell you about their successes, but don't wanna hear about yours.

5) They love to take, or attempt to take anything that is yours. Now in the modeling world, there's always a chance that you could end up trying out for the same modeling gig as someone else you know. But, if you know that you just told "girlfriend" about this opportunity that you were excited to do and then all of a sudden you've been dropped from the project & you see her face all up in it???? You already know what's up......FRENEMY!

6) This is a good one! The first one or two times that this happens, you might say to yourself "Am I being paranoid here?" but it won't take you that much longer after that to realize you're NOT being paranoid AT ALL: Your friend (Oops!)..."frenemy" always tries to make you the butt of a joke in public settings and then act like they were "just kidding" when you both know they weren't! They make comments about your clothes, your marriage/or significant other, your house (or whatever it is that you have that they REALLY want). You may let the first few times slide before you finally have to TREAT they behind! Then when you do, they try to make it look like you're overreacting and "taking things the wrong way".

Now that you know who your frenemies are, what do you do? You don't confront them or "give them a piece of your mind" ESPECIALLY if they're in the same field as you are! Entertainment circles run SMALL and it's AMAZING how quickly word gets around! Instead, you still show kindness to the person and be cordial to them. Pray for them (and for yourself) so as not to allow any feelings of animosity to build up in your own heart regarding them. Forgive them for whatever actions they've done to offend you, and RELEASE IT! Of course, don't tell them any pertinent information that wouldn't tell anyone else. I've posted this clip before, but I can't tell you how many times I've referred back to it because the higher God elevates you, the more "frenemies" come out of the woodworks and attach themselves to you for all of the wrong reasons. Bishop Jakes REALLY hits the nail right on the head with this one:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13Fo0_Hfxo0

Missed Crystal Renn's Interview w/ PLUS Model Radio? Check It Out Here & Post Your Thoughts! (I'll Wait)...

2011-01-25T10:04:00.001-06:00

Listen to internet radio with PLUS Model Radio on Blog Talk Radio

Vote for Me to Win the Black Opal Cosmetics Model Search!

2011-01-22T23:57:00.000-06:00

I LOVE Black Opal Cosmetics! Winning this contest would be EPIC for me! The Grand Prize Winner gets:
- A professional makeover/photo shoot in New York City
- $20,000 Scholarship Award
- Starring in Black Opal Cosmetics Ads Nationwide
- One Year's Supply of Black Opal Cosmetics

Not bad huh! There will be 20 finalists selected as well and those finalists will receive:
- A $2,500 scholarship Award
- Opportunity to be featured in Black Opal Cosmetics Marketing
-Complimentary Black Opal Cosmetics

I am believing God that 2011 is MY YEAR! The stage was set in 2010 & 2011 is the year of Fulfillment for me:-)!

Here's the link:
http://www.blackopalbeauty.com/truebeautymodelsearch/gallery/entry.php?model=4d2cb9a6f1edc

You guys PLEASE go there and vote for me! You're allowed one vote per day:-)!

PLUS Model Radio is Interviewing Crystal Renn on Monday Night!!!

2011-01-21T18:29:00.000-06:00

OMG, when Maddy posted this on Facebook I was like "OOOOOOHHHH! It's. About. To Go. DOWN!" The Plus community has had a Love/Hate relationship with Ms. Renn. We loved her when she debuted her best-selling book "Hungry" in which she chronicled her lifelong struggles with eating disorders and trying to fit in to the impossible standards in the modeling industry. She became our champion, doing interviews on Nightline, & etc about size acceptance. She started to land MAJOR fashion campaigns after the release of her book and her star REALLY began to soar!

Then, it happened. Once she reached Super Model status, arguably on the backs of the Plus community, she lost a drastic amount of weight! At like 5'10" Crystal is now a size 8 (to me she looks like she could even be a 6). The Plus Size community turned on her INSTANTLY! After all, what message was she sending now? "All of the stuff I said before was crap, and Plus Size really isn't cool."?? Maybe not, but that's how many people saw it.

This is where I stand on the issue, in case you're wondering:-): Crystal Renn, and anyone for that matter, has the right to lose as much weight as she wants! That's really none of our business. What IS our business as full-figured women is to protest the industry's impossible standards! The problem that everyone has with Crystal Renn is that she still refers to herself as being a "Plus Model" even though she is no longer Plus Size. This should be a VERY interesting interview!

My 60 Second Review of the Season 4 Premiere of BET's The Game...

2011-01-12T00:25:00.000-06:00

-The set didn't look cheesy. It actually looks way better!
-I HATE what they've done to Malik! His character was already an egomaniac, but at least he was likeable before! There's nothing to root for about him now except to root for him to hit rock bottom for messing with his cousin Tee Tee's girl AND his boss' wife at the SAME TIME! #SMH
-Melanie and Derwin....WHY???!!! Can these two be happy for ONCE! Mel may have just pushed Derwin into Janay's arms with this latest stunt.
-Kelly.....um....yeah. Kelly's attitude is the PITTS this season (no pun intended)!!! And I'm not feeling the way they're having Tasha running scared from her like she's Mike Tyson or something! They know Tasha Mack would've been TOO ready for a rematch after that sucker punch the last time they met up! They'd better redeem Kelly FAST or there's really not going to be a reason to keep her around. *Anyone else notice that Kelly (Brittany Daniel) was missing from EVERY promo chat that the cast was a part of??? Hmmm..
-Jason's still the exact same.
-The new "Brit-Brat" is WAAYY to grown up for only 2 years to have passed, and she's MORE obnoxious than the original "Brit-Brat"!
-Tasha Mack & Dante (Terrance J from BET's 106 & Park)---------->EPIC FAIL!!! Bring back Rick Fox!
-Why didn't they bring back Stacey Dash? They didn't even explain what happened between her & Jason. She just...wasn't there! C'mon ya'll! This chick was the final nail in the coffin of Kelly & Jason's relationship and now she's just gone like a fart in the wind???

Should be an interesting season! Stay tuned:-).

Overall I thought the flow of the show was more like a Season Finale than a Season Premiere! WAAAYY too much drama for the 1st episode! It will be interesting to see where they go from here!

2011 - The Year of Liberty! Writing the Vision and Making it PLAIN!

2011-01-06T15:23:00.000-06:00

So, it's a new year! I love the start of a new year:-). I even love starting a new daily planner and watching as the blank pages slowly (or QUICKLY) fill up! My pastor, Bill Winston, has proclaimed 2011 to be the Year of Liberty (Freedom). I LOVE the sound of that! That pretty much describes how I feel this year! I turn 30 years old at the end of January (the 31st), I'm happily married with no children at the moment, my modeling/singing/acting careers are doing well, and I just feel liberated! One of the main projects that has been on-going for me since the end of May has been "liberating" myself of excess weight! My weight loss journey has been going great thus far. I've lost about 25 pounds thus far. By the end of 2011, I will have lost another 50 pounds and then I'll be at my weight loss goal:-). I'm a 16/18 now (down from an 18/20) and I'm looking to get down to a size 10/12 ultimately.

I've been using a 21-Day Fitness Plan by Celebrity Trainer Jeanette Jenkins (Queen Latifah's personal Trainer) & it's been GREAT! By the way, you can catch my interview w/ Jeanette Jenkins in this month's issue of PLUS Model Magazine at http://www.plusmodelmag.com/General/plus-model-magazine-article-detail.asp?article-id=531369223 .

I'll post a follow-up to my interview to tell the results of my program sometime around March! In terms of modeling, God's given me some GREAT ideas for that and I'm excited to see how it all plays out! Yesterday I completed my "Vision" Board (which is something that I STRONGLY suggest all of you do at some point). It is posted on the wall in our home office so that my vision is before me each time I sit down at the computer! This is shaping up to be a POWERFUL year. I have already written 2 HOT new songs for my album. I am absolutely DETERMINED to release my album this year! My modeling troupe, ThYck Troupe of Chicago is also set to do BIG things this year! We're going to be shooting the pilot for our new television show VERY soon! The details for that will be forthcoming:-).

In the meantime, here are some of my "Weight Loss" Journey Pics & a picture of my Vision Board. *By the way, I did NOT get the idea to do a Vision Board from that darn "The Secret" book! I was inspired by Habakkuk 2:2-4! "The Secret" has actually been in the Bible for YEARS!*
The picture w/ the red background was taken New Year's Day (size 16/18) and the black & white picture (size 18/20) is a cast photo from May when I was in the hit stage play "Transgressions". I will gradually upload more pictures as I continue to shrink:-). What are YOUR goals for 2011?

Christmas 2010 & My Favorite Moments of 2010

2010-12-28T21:10:00.000-06:00

So Christmas this year was AWESOME! I got two things that I've REALLY wanted/needed: a new digital camera AND an MP3 player! Now I can listen to my favorite music/ministers while I'm getting it in on the treadmill/elliptical in the gym:-)! I also got money and a new watch:-). I gave as good as I got. I baked a total of 5 desserts: 2 apple pies, a peach cobbler, & 2 sweet potato pies. I had small samplings of the apple pie and the cobbler but that was IT! I gave all of the desserts away to friends and family. Since we went to friends/family for dinner, there weren't tons of fattening Christmas leftovers around the house to throw me off my game! All in all it was an awesome Christmas and I'm looking forward to an AWESOME 2011! But before the New Year rings in, here are some of my FAVORITE moments of 2010:

1) Becoming a Contributing Writer for Plus Model Magazine!!! This happened in February of this year with my first article (an interview w/ French model/blogger Stephanie Zwicky) launching in March! I have had the opportunity to interview many awesome designers, reality tv personalities, health & fitness experts, models & etc. since then and it has been one AMAZING journey!
2) Representing my hometown as 2010 Mrs. Tulsa County Plus America in the 2010 Miss Oklahoma Plus America Pageant. I came in 2nd Runner Up to Mrs. Oklahoma Plus America & won the Talent & Spokesmodel competitions. It was a bittersweet ending to my run at the Miss Plus America crown as it was my first time not making it to nationals since I started competing in 2008. I am no longer competing in beauty pageants so that I can focus more on my modeling career, but the ladies of MPA will always hold a special place in my heart.
3) Placing 4th in the run for the "Face of Full Figured Fashion Week" - YES I would've much rather had WON but Rosie Mercado made that impossible for all of us in the running so just getting 4th place was an AWESOME feat! LOL! *2011 will be my year!
*4) Being interviewed by Chicago's own Legendary journalist, Harry Porterfield for his "Someone You Should Know" segment !!!!! Ok, this was easily the TOP moment for me in 2010! Chicagoans know what an honor/opportunity this really was!
5) Joining the ThYck Troupe of Chicago! I received the call sometime in the early spring and joined a modeling troupe & ended up with some beautiful sisters who have TRULY enriched my life! We've done fashion shows, a photo shoot, and are currently working on a television show! 2011 is the Year of the THYCK! LOL!
6) Starring in the hit stage play "Transgressions" directed by Jeremiah Frazier! I played First Lady (Vixen) Alexis Joy & the play was sold out for 3 weeks in a row! Look for us to take the play on the road next year!
7) Starting voice lessons - I've been in voice lessons since June and my voice has improved significantly! I plan to continue my lessons indefinitely:-).
8) Attending Full-Figured Fashion Week in New York City!!! AWESOME time! I met some cool ladies, learned a lot about the industry, and had a blast:-)! Can't wait to attend this year!
9) Being a NATIONAL TOP 10 FINALIST in the Ashley Stewart Model Search!!!! Anyone who knows me knows that Ashley Stewart is my FAVORITE store! Yes I would have liked to have won, but to be a top 10 finalist out of all of the THOUSANDS of applications that they received was HUGE!
10) Losing 24 pounds:-)! Yes, I've got a ways to go before I've reached my weight loss goal, but I am ON MY WAY BABY! I'm actually about to do my second workout right after I finish this blog! By 2012, I will be MUCH smaller:-)!

All in all 2010 was a DYNAMIC year for me! I am SO looking forward to what God has in store for me in 2011!

Don't Let My ThYckness Fool You! Nikeya Young = Healthy Plus Model

2010-12-06T12:12:00.000-06:00

So, I'm in the gym hitting the weights when I got a phone call from my doctor's office. I had some bloodwork done as part of my physical and the results were in. The doctor sounded a little...funny on the phone. I listened as she read the results "Your cholesterol levels are normal. Your diabetes screening came back negative, and your thyroid levels are normal." So far so good right? So why did I feel like she was going to say "but..." followed by something..."unpositive" as The Situation would put it:-)?

I've been through this before. Doctors, and people in general, look at a full-figured person like myself, and just naturally assume that I must be knocking on death's door with problems like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, & Lord knows what else! When they run all of their tests, they're shocked to see that all of my levels are normal. Whatev. I eat right, & ANYONE following me on Twitter knows that I exercise regularly. I'm full-figured & healthy, but I'm not taking that for granted. I'm doing everything that I have to do to make sure that I stay that way:-).

Plus Model Indicted for Giving Illegal Booty Injections!!!

2010-11-24T11:25:00.000-06:00

I was minding my own business, getting the corn bread ready for my Southern Dressing, when I took a Facebook break. I was very appalled at this unbelievable story! I know from firsthand experience that one needs some sort of "side-hustle", Full-time job, or BOTH when you're initially getting started in the modeling business. Even when you've been doing it for a while, there are going to be time where there's not as much work pouring in and you need to make a little dough. Some models have a "sew-in" weave hustle, or become certified MUA's. Plus Model Anivia Cruz-Dilworth had a side-hustle that even Dr. Conrad Murray would disapprove of - She was giving silicone booty injections! These injections would normally cost anywhere between $10,000-15,000, but Cruz-Dillworth was charging just $600-1,200!

Cruz-Dilworth has NO medical licensing/credentials and some of her customers had to be hospitalized for serious complications! Now, I'm wondering...what made this beautiful, talented young lady decide "I'm gonna inject booty's with silicone & make some MAJOR dough!" Better yet, what on EARTH would possess women to drop their drawers and bend over for some silicone injections out of somebody's house w/ someone who has NO medical experience?!!! Anivia Cruz-Dilworth could face up to 15 years in prison for this. I wonder if she still thinks that toying with people's lives as a "side-hustle" was worth it?

http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2010/11/23/nj-model-accused-of-giving-unlicensed-butt-injections/

**By the way, if you want a bigger butt, just get you a southern cookbook and eat those dishes for a week:-). I'm from the South, so I got my big butt the good old-fashioned way...Southern Cuisine!

R&B Singer Brandy WRONGFULLY Booted Off of Dancing With the Stars Last Night!

2010-11-17T19:58:00.000-06:00

So last night was the results show for Dancing With the Stars. I missed it because I was doing a photo shoot with the David Samuel clothing store in Forest Park,Illinois. I'm glad I wasn't home because I'd probably have a broken television set right now from throwing a 4-inch stiletto at it!

*Randomly, some 67 year-old in Wisconsin actually SHOT his television set after seeing Bristol Palin survive another week on DWTS! But I digress....

Let me preface this blog by saying that this is not a personal attack on Bristol Palin. But, um...how do I say this?.....SHE CAN'T DANCE! She has improved since the start of the show, but she is nowhere near as good as Brandy, Kyle, or Jennifer! This has been the strangest season of Dancing With the Stars EVER, and could very well be the undoing of this show should Bristol Palin win it all! Viewers have had to watch as Bristol, despite being at the bottom of the leader board for 6 weeks straight, outlasted Rick Fox, Audrina Patridge, & Florence Henderson - all of whom danced better than she did! I understand that viewers votes count, but I also know that people voted in RECORD numbers this week. According to Dial Idol, Bristol was slightly ahead of Brandy with votes, but when you factor in that Brandy scored a perfect 30 & her overall score was 59/60 to Bristol's 53/60 and the scores are supposed to be an average of votes AND judges' scores...Brandy should NOT have been the one to go home last night! SMH...

Here's the video clip of the shockingly unjust elimination that has EVERYONE outraged:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZVNGma4YHo

Brandy handled everything with style and grace although she was clearly disappointed. She has expressed her desire to win this competition, but I'm almost certain that if she'd made it to the finals and lost against Kyle or Jennifer Gray, she wouldn't have been THIS devastated. To lose out on a trip to the finals by the worst remaining dancer on the show has got to sting. Brandy and Maks appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live after the elimination and you gotta love Jimmy for saying what EVERYONE else was thinking! He said "Just IMAGINE how many votes Bristol would get if only she could dance!" LOL! Priceless.

Bruno asked Brandy & Maks if they would please do the freestyle that they were working on for the finals. I felt that was a little too soon putting her on the spot like that after she'd just gotten the wind knocked out of her on live television, but I DO wanna see that dance! I'm sure it's AWESOME! All in all, Brandy did extremely well on DWTS & although she didn't get what she wanted, America is rooting for her again, & now would be the PERFECT time to release a new album!

People are saying that perhaps people are voting for Bristol because she's an underdog with no prior dance experience, but the only problem with that is the show's not called 'Dancing With the Underdogs' it's Dancing With the STARS! And for that matter, none of the professionals have dance experience EXCEPT for Jennifer Gray. It'll be interesting to see how this plays out on Monday night. I predict that with the way this season's been going, Bristol will win it all...and THEN WHAT? ABC, you've overplayed your hand with this one & it could come back to bite you BIG TIME!

Shunning Fat Friends Can Help You Lose Weight??!!! - WHAT THE MESS?!?!

2010-11-10T16:00:00.000-06:00

I can't with this article right now! I understand what it's trying to do, but it's just really wrong to stop being friends/hanging out with someone because of their weight!

Read on for yourselves & let me know what you think:

http://technorati.com/lifestyle/article/shunning-obese-friends-could-help-weight/

Operation Weight Loss Continues:-)!

2010-11-04T12:20:00.000-05:00

When I began this weight loss journey, I was a size 18/20 and weighed 247 pounds. Four months later, I am now a size 16 & I'm 229 pounds. I've lost 18 pounds. I am looking to shed these last 29 pounds by New Years. It's do-able. I've just got to stay focused because it's already November and New Years will be here before I know it! Plus, there are two major holidays in between now & New Year's: Thanksgiving & Christmas! The hubby & I initially planned to go to Atlanta & hang out with his family. Southern homecooking?? That was gonna be a TOUGH one! Now, we've decided to stay in Chicago, so I've got to plan a delicious, yet tasty Thanksgiving meal. I'll definitely be buying from Whole Foods to make this happen!

Anyone got any tasty, yet healthy holiday recipes they'd care to share?

Nikeya Young - "Face of the Week" AND "Model of the Month" !

2010-11-01T15:30:00.000-05:00

God is good:-)! Yours truly has been chosen as the "Face of the Week" for the "Fat and Fab Chic" Blog, and November "Model of the Month" for Glamorous Curves! Check out the links:
http://www.fatandfabchic.com/2010/11/face-of-week-nikeya-young.html.

http://glamorouscurves.com/modelofthemonth.aspx

SOOOOO FREAKIN' CLOSE!!!!! (2010 Ashley Stewart Model Search)

2010-10-19T09:53:00.000-05:00

I was SOOOO close! THOUSANDS of women from all over the nation entered the 2010 Ashley Stewart Perfect Model Search, and I was chosen as one of their Top 10 Finalists! ANYONE who knows me knows that Ashley Stewart is my FAVORITE place to shop...PERIOD! In fact, when Bozoma St. John called me last Friday to tell me I was a finalist, I missed her call because I was in Ashley Stewart shopping! I got her message once I left the store:-). I cannot tell you how many times I've walked into an Ashley Stewart store and said "I'm going to be up on those AS posters one day!" And over this past week, it appeared that my dreams were about to come true. All of my years of hustling, doing fashion shows, and photo shoots, landing television and radio interviews, doing the Miss Plus America Pageant 3 years in a row, studying other top PLUS models in the business, and just busting my butt on my own because agencies wouldn't give me the time of day (after all, I'm 5'7, UGH!!) all of this seemed to lead up to this moment of winning the Ashley Stewart Model Search! The big agencies would HAVE to give me a contract after seeing that I'd beat out THOUSANDS of women and landed a national Print campaign with one of the top Plus Size clothing stores in the nation without their help, right? It was right there! So close, I could taste it, smell it. I could see myself at the AS headquarters meeting with all of the people who make AS tick, getting glammed up for my photo shoot, getting that $500 gift card, being able to walk in Ashley Stewart stores and see myself on those posters just as I'd been confessing for all of these years. And then, it happened. Ashley Stewart posted their big announcement on October 18, 2010: Our Perfect Model is Shalada Allen.

BIG CONGRATS to Shalada by the way:-)! I'm not a "hater" by any means, and she's a lovely woman. But after seeing my biggest modeling dream vanish like a fart in the wind, I sat there at my computer thinking....NOW WHAT?!!! Ever watch those sports movies like Friday Night Lights, or Coach Carter, or any of them for that matter, where you see the teams training and training and beating out teams for their shot at the big Championship game? In most of those movies, it's pretty predictable. The team wins the shot and they hoist the game-winning-shot maker in the air in celebration! That's what the movie audience expects, and we feel "cheated" as an audience if the team LOSES the game! That's just not what's supposed to happen, right? The home team feels completely let down, and they may throw things, and swear, or cry, or all of the above (I didn't go THAT far, but I was disappointed). Then at this point in the movie, the coach usually tells them to walk with their heads held high because they played their butts off & they did a great job! He reminds them of all of the victories that they had before this loss, and that this loss is not "The End". They will train harder, and come back stronger next season.

To the other Ashley Stewart Model Search Finalists, and to ANYONE who has ever experienced a disappointing loss, don't wallow in it! For my fellow finalists, we did beat out THOUSANDS of people for those coveted Top 10 Finalist spots, so obviously the heads of our FAVORITE clothing store thought there was something special about each one of us, and there is:-). To other PLUS Models/Aspiring Plus Models/Singers/Actresses, and anyone who has experienced rejection while pursuing your dreams, DON'T GIVE UP! Hard work does pay off, like my She-ro Mia Amber Davis said when she found out I was a finalist:-). Be confident in yourself and the gifts that God has placed within you, and keep pushing! It's only going to make your final victory THAT much sweeter.

Lessons We Can Take From the Whoopi/Joy/Bill O'Reilly Fiasco...

2010-10-16T00:11:00.000-05:00

Much has been made of the big blow-up between Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar, and Bill O'Reilly on The View the other day. I blogged about this incident too, and though it was immature for Whoopi and Joy to walk off the set of their own show, LIVE, I said that it was probably best that they took a couple of minutes to cool off. I shudder to think what they would done to Bill O'Reilly had they stayed in that moment! That being said, what could they have done to prevent this situation from escalating as much as it did?

Every one of us knows a "Bill O'Reilly" type. You know, the type of person who will deliberately push EVERY single one of your buttons JUST to get a rise out of you. These type of people get some kind of sadistic thrill out of knowing that they have THAT much "power" over another human being. Maybe they just pick you because you have something that they want & they're jealous, or maybe it's nothing personally against you, it's just a problem that they have within themselves. Whatever the reason, the best way to deal with people like this is to:

1) Make up in your mind that you will NOT be offended by anything this person says. Walk in the love of God. If you have an advance notice that you're going to see this person, pray and ask God to help you walk in love towards them.
*Had Joy and Whoopi done this, Bill O'Reilly would have looked crazy by HIMSELF! Instead, everyone forgot about him blatantly stereotyping an entire group of people and focused on Joy and Whoopi walking out & getting rebuked by Barbara Walters!
2) Remain calm. No matter how loud & ignorant they may get, don't stoop down to their level. Let them curse and roll their eyes all they want. For those who are Christians, we should expect for people who aren't saved to act out of pocket. They AREN'T SAVED! If you start cursing back at them, you'll have a much harder time witnessing to that person later on.
3) Strive to be someone who isn't easily angered/offended. Know what your weaknesses are, and work to deactivate them. Never give anyone the power to cause you to LITERALLY walk away from something that God has assigned you to do or to be.

Hope this has blessed you in some way:-).

Ashley Stewart Has Just Posted Their 10 Finalists in the Model Search Contest AND.....I'M ON IT!!!

2010-10-15T15:44:00.000-05:00

http://www.ashleystewart.tv/modelsearch2010.html

To God be the Glory! It is an honor to be considered amongst the many applications that they received! The winner will be announced on Monday.

Things Get HEATED on The View This Morning!!! Whoopi and Joy Walk OUT!

2010-10-14T13:15:00.000-05:00

So, who else saw the verbal smackdown on The View between Whoopi, Joy, & Bill O'Reilly? I'm posting the link for you in case you didn't see it. My thoughts, Bill O'Reilly was extremely rude and condescending to the ladies on The View from the moment he walked on the stage. He cut Sherri off in mid-sentence & sniped at her, he cut Joy off and said "Listen to me because you'll LEARN" as if he's an encyclopedia of knowledge or something, but the final straw for Whoopi AND Joy was when he shouted that "Muslims killed us on 9/11!" Now anyone who has read my blog & who knows me knows that I am 100% Christian. While I don't agree with all Muslim viewpoints, they are still people & God loves them. Whether you agree with the mosque being near the 9/11 site or not, you CAN NOT lump an entire race/religion of people into one group and say that those people are responsible for killing us on 9/11 and SHAME ON YOU Bill O'Reilly for doing so!

There have been several "Christians" throughout the course of history who have done unspeakable things. For example, Timothy McVeigh was Catholic (I think). Slave owners and KKK members claimed to be Christian and though that they were doing God's will by oppressing and/or killing Black people. The point that I am making is simple: the actions of a "few" don't determine what is in the hearts of many. Bill O'Reilly blatantly stereotyping all Muslims (who have already had to deal with their share of attacks since 9/11) was wrong. Point. Blank. Period. Whoopi & Joy's reaction? They walked off stage while he was talking! My mother used to say that if you haven't got anything nice to say, then don't say anything at all. They obviously didn't have anything nice to say to Bill O'Reilly because they were ticked off! It might not have been the most mature or professional thing to do at that moment, but it was probably all they could do to keep from SLAPPING THE MESS OUTTA BILL O'REILLY on national television (which wouldn't have been "professional" either)!!!

Here's the clip: Thoughts??http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNQNE4-aywY

WHOA!!! Stop The Press! Monif C.'s Latest Holiday Arrivals Have Hit the Racks!

2010-10-11T14:56:00.000-05:00

Ok, I was seriously just minding my own business when I received an e-mail in my inbox about the Grand Re-Opening of Monif C's new Manhattan location on October 14th (MAN do I wish a fairy God-mother would ride up in a giant pumpkin-jet & ZOOM me to New York for THAT day)! Anyhoo, I peeked at the new arrivals and fell in INTENSE, instant LIKE with the items you see here:-). These items, much like gold, and precious gems, are NOT cheap! Monif is gonna have people robbing banks, & taking out loans to pick up these babies! LOL:-)! HOTT doesn't begin to describe this stuff! WOW!!! Way to go Monif C! Can I PLEASE be a model for you? And let's not even get on Fluvia! Girl is BAD to the bone looking like a Plus-Size Angelina Jolie! Actually, she looks BETTER! There's even more awesomeness on the web site! Check it out for yourself:-)! www.monifc.com

The October Issue of Plus Model Magazine is HAWT!!!

2010-10-11T12:53:00.000-05:00

In other news, I also contributed two articles to this month's issue of PLUS Model Magazine. The first article is a follow-up w/ Kiki Ware of Oxygen's Dance Your A** Off!

http://www.plusmodelmag.com/General/plus-model-magazine-article-detail.asp?article-id=523596470

The next article features Curvy Gal Health/Fitness expert Rochelle Lee:-)!

http://www.plusmodelmag.com/General/plus-model-magazine-article-detail.asp?article-id=123554535

The whole issue is just AWESOME so be sure to check it out if you haven't already!

My October "Weight & Fitness Update"

2010-10-11T11:29:00.000-05:00

As some of you may know, I have been pursuing a healthier lifestyle and tweeting/posting FB statuses about it all summer. **This helps me have a social network of individuals that hold me accountable:-). Anyhoo, when I began this journey at the beginning of June, I was 245 pounds. Now I am 230 pounds:-). I am more toned, I've lost a couple of inches, and I've gone from a size 18/20 to 16/18. I workout at least 4-5 days a week (one hour of elliptical & treadmill), drink at least 100 ounces of water a day, and I've been eating more fruits & veggies and less junk food. I've noticed that I have a lot more energy than I did before:-)! I am aiming to lose 5 pounds this week (I weigh in every Saturday morning). By New Year's I plan to be at least 200 pounds.

**Note: I am mainly doing cardio because I carry a lot of weight in my hips/thighs/butt area, so I've tailored my workouts to hit those areas hard!

October Update: The ThYck Troupe of Chicago Gets PROPS from Ashley Stewart!

2010-10-11T10:55:00.000-05:00

Hello Everyone! It's been a little while since I blogged & I do apologize! Life's been hectic, but in a good way:-). I've been in two fashion shows: Lane Bryant's Fall Preview in Gurnee Mills, IL on September 19th, & most recently, the Ashley Stewart Fall Fashion Show in North Riverside Mall on October 3rd! As for the latter, Tressa Thomas, the director/founder of my modeling troupe (ThYck Troup of Chicago), filmed us at our show & then I took it upon myself to tweet Ashley Stewart & send them the link to our show. The results....they like it! They REALLY liked it! They retweeted my tweet to all of their followers, AND they posted our video on their Ashley Stewart Facebook fan page along with a shoutout to us for a job well done!

Needless to say, THAT has been the highlight of my Fall Season...so far:-). This month Ashley Stewart is also holding their 2010 Perfect Model Search, and OF COURSE ya girl entered that bad boy:-)! They will be announcing their 10 finalists tomorrow! The winner will be announced around the 15th or so. I expect my phone will be ringing tomorrow:-).

Ta ta for now peeps:-)! Check out the link below to watch the ThYck Troupe strut our stuff for Ashley Stewart:
ThYck Troupe of Chicago Ashley Stewart Showcase

Katy Perry Banned From Sesame Street!

2010-09-23T15:22:00.000-05:00

So I'm sure by now that most of you have heard about Katy Perry's risque video that got pulled from Sesame street. My thoughts? GOOD! What in the world was this woman thinking wearing a cleavage-bearing mini-dress to go and sing with Elmo??!! My only beef with Sesame Street is that they taped this ENTIRE video with her and didn't ask her to go and change clothes! They only took down the video when parents complained about it. SMH...what is this world coming to?!
http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv/2010/09/21/2010-09-21_katy_perry_adapts_hot_n_cold_for_sesame_street_duet_with_elmo_in_cleavagereveali.html

Check Out My #HighSchoolConfessions Interview w/ Blogger NikStar!!!

2010-09-22T11:59:00.000-05:00

xoxo NikStar: #HighSchoolConfessions; Nikeya Young of Nikeya You...: "Name: Nikeya Nicole (Green) YoungAKA: Nikki, Notorious Nikki G (H.S. Rap Moniker), 'NIKE'C/O: ' '99 YOU KNOW!'High School: Booker T. Washing..."

"Rejecting Rejection"

2010-09-09T09:55:00.000-05:00

For the past couple of weeks, Pastor David Winston, youth pastor at Living Word Christian Center, has been teaching our youth on the root of Rejection. This has been a REAL good series, and I know of some adults that could use this teaching as well, so I thought I'd share some insight with you that I learned from the Bible Studies.

What is Rejection?
- Rejection is the feeling of being unwanted.

Three Kinds of People Produced by Rejection:
1) The Person Who Gives In (The Pessimist)
   * This person's favorite line is "I just can't take this anymore!" They typically have a "woe is me" attitude and may or may not experience suicidal thoughts. This is a very dangerous/depressing place to be!

2) The Person Who Holds Out
   This person puts on a "Happy Mask" and acts like nothing ever gets to them!
   * This person's favorite line is "I'm Fine!" "Everything's fine!" (Superficial Happiness)

3) The Fighter (Resentment, Hatred, Rebellion)
   This person doesn't care who they hurt in the process! Their attitude is "I'mma get them BEFORE they get me!"
   * This person's line is "I'mma do me!" They usually seek a False Spiritual Experience (i.e. Drugs)

So, do you see your past, or current self on this list? I can tell you that throughout the course of my life I have been ALL of these people if that makes you feel any better:-). Being a Plus Model/Actress/Singer, I feel like I should receive an Honorary Ph D in "Rejection Expert"! LOL! Seriously, the only way to be delivered from the Spirit of Rejection, is by countering every lie that the devil speaks to you (You're Fat, You're Ugly, Nobody likes you, You're not good enough, You just plain suck) with what the Word of God says about you! If you have to, get some positive self affirmations and say them everyday! Here's a good list to start from:

Who/What I Am in Christ

I am reigning in life by Jesus Christ (Romans 5:17)
I am not looking at the things that are seen, but at the things which are not seen (II Corinthians 4:18)
I am walking by faith and not by sight (II Corinthians 5:7)
I am casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God (II Corinthians 10:5)
I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus (II Corinthians 5:21)
I am rooted and grounded in love, because Christ dwells within me (Ephesians 3:17)
I am the workmanship of God, created in Christ Jesus for good works (Ephesians 2:10)
I am a partaker of God's divine nature (II Peter 1:4)
I am prosperous and in good health, because my soul prospers (III John 2)
I am being transformed by the renewing of my mind to prove the perfect will of God (Romans 12:2)
I am healed by the stripes of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 2:24)
I am more than a conqueror through Jesus Christ (Romans 8:37)
I am the salt of the earth, and the light of the world (Matthew 5:13a, 14a)
I am complete in Christ (Colossians 2:10)
I am strong in the Lord and in the power of His might (Ephesians 6:10)
I am taking the shield of faith and quenching all of the fiery darts of the enemy (Ephesians 6:16)
I am praying my desires and receiving them (Mark 11:24)
I am like a tree planted by the rivers of water and everything that I do prospers (Psalm 1:3)
I am a temple of the Holy Ghost (I Corinthians 6:19)
I am given exceeding great and precious promises, and by them I partake of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust (II Peter 1:4)
I am led by the spirit of God; therefore, I am a son of God (Romans 8:14)
I am not walking after the flesh, but after the Spirit (Romans 8:1)
I am receiving all of my needs met according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19)
I am casting all of my cares upon Him, because I know He cares for me (I Peter 5:7)
I am blessed with all spiritual blessings in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 1:3)
I am blessed when I come in, and blessed when I go out (Deuteronomy 28:6)
I am an heir of God and a joint-heir with Jesus Christ (Romans 8:17)
I am increasing and abounding in love (I Thessalonians 3:12)
I am being made perfect in every good work to do God's will (Hebrews 13:21)
I am showing forth the praise of God (Psalms 51:15)

* This was taken from www.livingwd.org/Resources/Prayers .

If You Haven't Checked Out the September/Fashion Issue of PLUS Model Magazine Already...Shame On You!!!

2010-09-09T09:17:00.000-05:00

THERE'S ALL SORTS OF AWESOMENESS IN THERE!!! Go to:

http://www.plusmodelmag.com/General/plus-model-magazine-article.asp?year=2010&month=09

I Cordially Invite ALL of You to Attend the International Faith Conference Next Week!!

2010-09-09T09:06:00.000-05:00

Hey Lovelies:-)!
I know it's been a minute since I've blogged and there's been a LOT going on! However, I am SO excited to let you all know about the International Faith Conference that is taking place at my church, Living Word Christian Center ALL next week! Please go to the following link for more information:

http://www.billwinston.org/ifc/

God ALWAYS has a timely word to kick everyone's faith into high gear at the Faith Conference and this year should be no different! Hope to see you there:-).

SO...Torrid.com Has Released Their 25 Finalists for the House of Dreams Plus Model Search...AND....

2010-08-20T10:09:00.000-05:00

I'M NOT ON IT!!!! Why Torrid???? Why??? I've ben trying to be a part of the House of Dreams for like 3 FRIGGIN years now and I really thought this was my year! I'm really not sure what it's going to take for this dream to become a reality, but I'm NOT giving up! SMH...

Video Blog - August Update 8/9/10

2010-08-09T17:37:00.001-05:00

Hey everyone!
Just thought i'd create a video blog to share with you some new and exciting things coming up this month! Sometimes I just don't feel like doing all that typing:-)! ENJOY!

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Looking Ahead to Fall Fashion... My 10 "Fall Must-Haves"

2010-08-02T22:29:00.000-05:00

Hey Everyone:-)! As summer winds to a close, I find myself gearing up for my absolute FAVORITE season of the year (in terms of fashion)...FALL! Here's a list of my 10 "Must-Haves" for the fall:

10) Tights - I absolutely love tights! Solid colors, fun printed ones, and etc.
9) Cardigans - I'm really digging the lightweight ones without buttons down the front & w/ a belted look.
8) Button-Down Blouses - These can range from simple, to button downs w/ ruffled collars
7) Handbags - Specifically big fun bags in fall colors
6) Hats/Caps - Think newsboys caps, berets, and fedoras:-). HAWT!!
5) The right Hair-Do - I've already been shopping around in hair magazines for what my "fall" do should be:-). This summer, I've been rocking my long, straight extensions, but for the fall, I'm thinking of switching it up! Last year, I did a chin-length bob for the fall. This year, I'm thinking of...well, I can't tell you because I don't want someone else to do it first & then say "I" copied them! LOL!
4) Trench coats!!! I already have a couple in Khaki and a Brown one, but I'd like to add at least 2 more to the collection in perhaps an Olive Green, and Plum color.
3) Belts - I love to wear fashionable, big belts! They INSTANTLY define my smaller waistline, and bring a sweater, dress, tunic, or blouse to life!
2) Sweaters and tunics
And my number one 2010 Fall Must Have is..................DRUMROLL PLEASE............
1) KILLER "OMG WHERE DID SHE GET THOSE" BOOTS!!! I live for these! LOL! Black ones, Brown ones, Patchwork Suede ones, Knee high, Calf-Length, ankle boots! I must have DIVALICIOUS boots in my life!

So there ya have it folks:-)! What are your fall must-haves?

Model Crystal Renn Talks About Photoshop Controversy on 'The View' (VIDEO)

2010-07-27T18:36:00.000-05:00

Model Crystal Renn Talks About Photoshop Controversy on 'The View' (VIDEO)

So yesterday, Crystal Renn went on The View to discuss the huge controversy over those infamous FORD pics in which she looked like she'd had an anorexia relapse. She said that agencies consider plus to be between a size 8 to 20. The starting height for modeling is at least 5'9. I REALLY wish that these agencies would tell the truth: They don't want anyone over a size 14 on their agency board!!! They will put up with a size 16, but only if she's 6"0 tall! We are going to have to get some business degrees or take some classes and start our OWN modeling agencies in order to see the change that we want in this industry! What do ya'll think?

On the C.L.: Crystal Renn on Her Skinny Photos: “I Don’t Look Like That”: glamour.com

2010-07-18T11:05:00.000-05:00

On the C.L.: Crystal Renn on Her Skinny Photos: “I Don’t Look Like That”: glamour.com

I am so happy that Crystal Renn has FINALLY spoken out about those photos! And just as I suspected, she was retouched to the HIGH HEAVENS! She is smaller, but no where near as small as they made her out to look! Click on the link above to read the following story which also features BEFORE pictures of that same Ford shoot that got everybody talking! I am so glad to know that Crystal hasn't returned back to being anorexic!

Lessons We Can All Learn From the "Lebron" Drama...

2010-07-09T09:25:00.000-05:00

Ok, so even though I felt that all of this hoopla over where Lebron James would play next year was RIDICULOUS, I sat & watched ESPN like millions of other Americans did last night. I was somewhat surprised that he decided to share the spotlight with 2 other superstars in Miami, but the fact that he did so, and for LESS MONEY, just showed me how important winning a championship really is to him. I knew that whatever decision he made, he was going to disappoint someone, but what happened next, from his HOMETOWN no less, was OVER THE TOP!

**Check out this link of a letter written by Cavs owner Dan Gilbert to the Cavs' fans about Lebron:

http://www.nba.com/cavaliers/news/gilbert_letter_100708.html

I personally think that Lebron James is one of the most ARROGANT players to put on a uniform, but nonetheless I've gotta admit I felt sorry for the guy after seeing his hometown fans burning his jersey in the streets & reading this scathing letter from Dan Gilbert! Lebron gave his ALL to the Cavs for 7 years! He admitted that leaving was a hard decision and he thanked his former teammates, owner, coaches, & fans for everything they've done for him, but the ungrateful Cleveland fans couldn't even find it in their hearts to thank him back. As bad as the Cavs sucked, any other star would've left waaay before 7 years! Here's some valuable lessons we can all learn from this:

1) You cannot please EVERYONE.

2) Every decision we make should be made with prayer and careful consideration. Once you hear from God & you have peace with a decision that pleases God & is what's best for you...MOVE ON!

3) Stepping out of your comfort zone can be painful, but it's the ONLY way to ensure growth.

4) Fame and adoration from the public can turn on a dime! People will turn on you the INSTANT you don't give them what they want! **And what they want can ALSO change on a dime, which leads back to lesson #1.**

5) Idol worship of ANY man is NEVER ok! The reason that Cleveland is so heartbroken is because they literally worshipped this man like he was GOD or something! PLEASE PEOPLE! He's a 25 year-old kid!!

I don't know if Lebron's decision to join Miami will bring him a championship or not, but one thing is for certain after Cleveland's despicable display....Lebron made the RIGHT decision.

How Far Will We ALLOW Them to Lower the Plus-Size Bar?!!!

2010-07-02T09:09:00.001-05:00

I was reading this article by Madeline Figueroa-Jones of PLUS Model Magazine and I've gotta tell you, I've had just about ENOUGH of agencies calling regular, normal sized people "plus size"! Click on the following link & you'll see JUST what I mean!

http://plus-model-mag.com/2010/07/is-crystal-reign-within-the-plus-size-industry-over/

Now let me just be clear, Crystal Renn can lose however much weight she chooses to lose, but she does NOT have the right to continue to call herself a "Plus" model! Next thing you know, these agencies will be trying to tell us that a size 4 is plus!!! SMH...

Cool People I Met At FFF Week:-)!

2010-06-24T15:38:00.000-05:00

Here's some more pics of awesome people that I had the pleasure of meeting at FFF Week, from Facebook friends to Top Models to Directors of Modeling Agencies! Clockwise from the top: Picture 1 - Anthony Higgins, Director of the Goddess/Model Service Agency, Madeline Figueroa Jones (Editor of PLUS Model Magazine), Larissa Laurel (PLUS Model/Singer), Picture 2 - Plus Model Jeannie Ferguson & I, Picture 3 - Plus Model Niemah Haskin & I, Picture 4 - Maddy and I (PLUS Model Magazine All-Stars), Picture 5 - Me, Whitney Thompson from ANTM Cycle 10, and Plus Model Jackie Posey.

Full Figured Fashion Week was FABULOUS!!!!

2010-06-21T19:38:00.000-05:00

I retuned from New York City on Sunday after I attended the last two days of Full Figured Fashion Week and...just...WOW! I have been trying to figure out what do I write about first! Let's just strt in order:

Day 1: My flight was to leave from O'Hare at 6:56 am so I would arrive in NYC at 10:08 am. That would give me plenty of time to catch a cab from LaGuardia to my hotel, the Hilton Times Square, change and then head off to the Aspiring Models workshop at Hotel Pennsylvania. Only one problem, my flight got cancelled! The next one didn't leave until 8:30! By the time I got to the Hilton & got up to my room, it was 12:00 noon....the workshop started at 1:00pm! I quickly freshened up, powdered my nose and ran downstairs where the doorman hailed me a cab that was DOWN THE STREET with that quick "King of New York" whistle (you know, the one where they stick their pinky fingers in the corners of their mouth)! The cabbie drove like he was on the run from the feds & I got to the workshop in like 5 minutes! I was actually like 25 minutes early:-).

As soon as I arrived at the Hotel Pennsylvania, I was greeted by several other gorgeous curvy divas! Some of them were facebook friends of mine that I finally got a chance to meet in person. I saw my girl Myisha at the registration table right away & it was cool to see another Chicago face in NYC. We all had to wait a few minutes for them ti set up the room, but as soon as they gave the ok to go in, I rush right in that bad boy! I saw Marie Denee from one of my favorite blogs "The Curvy Fashionista" and took a couple of pics with her. Then, I rushed right to the front of the room and nabbed a seat right in front of the panelists:-). Runway Diva Sharon Quinn hosted the workshop, and introduced the other panelists: Maddy Figueroa Jones - Editor of PLUS Model Magazine, Larissa Laurel - FIT Model/Singer - Anthony Higgins - Director of the Goddess/Model Service Agency, Aminah Benjamin - Casting Director for BET's Rip the Runway, & Gwen DeVoe - CEO of FFF Week! The workshop contained a lot of information that I already knew, along with some fresh ideas that I haven't tried yet. I took like 5 pages of notes on this workshop, so I'll spare you EVERY detail:-).

I'm going to have to go to New York strictly for a vacation because whenever I go for business, I NEVER get a chance to explore the city! I did make some new friends (shout out to Cherina, Latonya, Toya, Nikki, & Denise), but I mostly slept and went to the events when I wasn't sleeping. Why did I sleep so much? Well, I got NO sleep the night before I left because I was up watching the NBA Championship game in which my Celtics LOST:-(! Then I had to finish packing a few things, and then...well, remember when you were little and you were SO excited about the first day of school that you couldn't go to sleep? Multiply that feeling times 10 and THAT'S how AMPED I was about FFF Week! So after the workshop ended, I walked back to my hotel in 4 inch stilettos, ate dinner at the Applebee's on the first floor of my hotel, and collapsed on my bed from roughly 5:30pm to after 11 that night. When I woke up, I realized that it was only 10 back in the Chi, so of course I had to call my husband up and tell him all of the details:-)! After that, guess what happened? I COULDN'T GO BACK TO SLEEP! I stayed up watching everything from the news, to infomercials, and finally struck gold with a marathon of Family Matters! I LOVED that show! I'm sure I probably woke up my hotel neighbors laughing out loud at Steve Urkel all night!

Day 2: By the time I fell asleep, it was like 4:30am! So of course I didn't wake up until 11 something in the morning. My sleep schedule is STILL recovering from all of this mayhem:-). I got up, showered, and got dressed to see what could be salvaged of this afternoon since I'd slept away some valuable hours. I knew I had to get over to Rosie Mercado & Myisha room to get some help with make-up for the Finale by 3:00p.m. I'd missed breakfast hours, but figured I should grab some lunch at least. I called up my new friend Cherina Tidwell and asked if they'd already eaten. We agreed to hook up for some lunch at the Dallas BBQ restaurant across the street. That worked out great for me because I could eat & hang out, and then still have enough time to get my things from the hotel and go get my eyelashes/eyebrows done by Rosie:-). Lunch was a ton of fun! The girls are HILARIOUS! I felt like we'd known each other forever and not like we'd just met. But that was pretty much the feeling that I got the whole weekend. There was such a "sisterhood" between all of the women there! Anyhoo, after lunch, I hopped in yet another cab and went to see Ms. Rosie, our Face of Full Figured Fashion Week. She was obviously very busy getting ready for the VIP reception, and her phone was ringing off the hook, but she'd squeezed in a couple of minutes for her pageant sista friend:-). What a gal!

I hooked up my makeup myself, and then showed Rosie, who's also a makeup artist, for her approval. She liked everything, but said that I was missing some color on my cheeks. I really don't do blush, but she lent me her color palette and gave me a tip on how to put it on without looking like Bozo:-). Then Tali Giat from FOX's More to Love swung by to have her makeup done also. Rosie hooked up my lashes and brows, and I was off in a cab back to the Hilton to freshen up & start getting dressed for the big Finale! I wore a black grecian, one-shoulder Ashley Stewart dress. I curled my hair in loose ringlets that fell before I even arrived at my event! Darn New York humidity! Once inside, I waited in line and then finally reached the registration table only to hear, "I'm sorry, but your name isn't on the list". What!!! Now this is where I had to resist the urge to go off! I paid for my ticket to this finale back in May! Unfortunately for me, I'd left my receipt back in the hotel room! After waiting for a little over 10 minutes while a lady on a walkie talkie tried to figure out what was going on, it finally hit me! I called my husband and asked him to look up my paypal receipt and e-mail it to me. Thank God he was home!!! Once I received the e-mail on my phone, I quickly showed it to Ms. Walkie Talkie, who was very apologetic. You'd think they'd bump me up to VIP after the emotional stress that they caused by threatening not to let me into an event that I paid money for, but they didn't. No matter now, I had to scurry down to the main floor and grab a seat before the biggest Plus fashion show of 2010 began!

Now, there are absolutely NO words to describe the creativity of the gorgeous designs that hit the runway at FFF Week! None. So, I'll create a whole new post and let the pictures speak for themselves! Full Figured Fashion Week left me feeling VERY inspired! I got a chance to personally place my comp card/resume in the hands of two modeling agency representatives, and I am looking forward to returning to the Face of FFF Week contest with a vengeance, as well as trying out for the opportunity to be one of the lucky curvy divas to hit that runway!

Kudos to Gwen DeVoe, and her awesome staff! See you in 2011 FFF Week:-)!

Summer Plans Heat Up for Nikeya Young - STAY TUNED...

2010-06-11T13:58:00.000-05:00

So it's been a little while since my last blog, but boy am I excited about what's to come! First of all, I would like to say thank you to everyone who came out to support my hit stage play "Transgressions" *directed by Jeremiah Frazier! It sold out ALL 3 NIGHTS and.....it's back by popular demand! Transgressions will run again on July 30, 31st at the Chicago Theater for the Performing Arts located at 777 N. Green (near Chicago Ave. & Halsted). I'll post more details as the date draws nigh.

In addition to the play, I will be participating in the "Strut Your Stuff"Fashion on Saturday, August 14, 2010 in Racine, Wisconsin. This fashion show will feature special guest, Plus Model Mia Amber. I will be ripping the runway along with my modeling troupe: ThYck Troupe of Chicago. Remember that movie "The Five Heartbeats" from the 80's? Remember the scene with the adorable little girl singing "We Haven't Finished Yet" with her brother (Robert Townsend's character)? Well, that little girl is all grown up now and she is none other than, Tressa Thomas, the CEO/Founder of The ThYck Troupe of Chicago! Be on the look out for us because we are going to be doing our THING in 2010!

I am also taking vocal lessons to get my voice in tip top shape so that I can begin recording my album soon:-). I've already began writing some great material that I'm pretty excited about! This is the "Make it Happen" summer! In keeping with that theme, I just got some new comp cards made up and I intend to send them to Modeling/Talent Agencies all over the city/U.S. And last, but certainly not least, I am dedicating myself to truly making over my body! I've been working out like 4 to 5 days a week and drinking lots of water. I've also been eating more fruits and veggies. Since I'm off work for the summer, I'm making getting into shape my full-time job! God's got a lot in store for me, and I want to make sure that I am taking good care of my body so that I can enjoy a long, prosperous life!

Read My Two Articles in This Month's Issue of PLUS Model Magazine...

2010-06-01T09:54:00.000-05:00

I had the pleasure of interview Plus Comedienne/Actress Erica Watson in the June Issue of PLUS! I also wrote an editorial on what curvy Chicago divas will be wearing this summer:-)! To read both articles, go to the following links:

http://www.plusmodelmag.com/General/plus-model-magazine-article-detail.asp?article-id=112303992

http://www.plusmodelmag.com/General/plus-model-magazine-article-detail.asp?article-id=113010450

Let me know what you think!

Last Night's American Idol Finale...A Hodge Podge of Never-Ending Randomness!

2010-05-27T09:08:00.000-05:00

So last night, I, like millions of Americans, sat through, or at least attempted to sit through, last night's American Idol Finale.Was it just me, or was last night's Idol one of THE most random shows you've ever seen? They were pulling people out of the woodworks! They had Chicago (the band), The Bee Gees, Orianthi (Michael Jackson's female guitarist), Alice Cooper, Michael McDonald, Christina Aguilera, Carrie Underwood, BRET MICHAELS (I'mma REALLY need this dude to go lay down somewhere and rest for a little bit!), and then MY favorite performance of the night...General Larry "Pants on the Ground" Platt - who was unceremoniously interrupted by...WILLIAM HUNG, who somehow managed to even mess up "Pants on the Ground"!

Paula Abdul comes back to join the circus and pay a touching, yet weird, Paula-esque tribute to Simon as this was his last night, and perhaps the last night of American Idol as well (SERIOUSLY, who's gonna watch this show now that Simon's gone??). And then just when you thought the show couldn't get any more random, Janet Jackson comes out (and KILLS IT!) and does a mini concert singing 3 songs! Why? Because she's JANET (Ms. Jackson if ya Nasty!) and she can!! Oh! Single most RANDOM moment of the night... all of the American Idol contestants joining Joe Cocker in singing the theme song from The Wonder Years!!! Huh??? ALLLLL of this lead up to the moment we'd all been waiting for....the winner of the 2010 Season of American Idol is......Lee DeWyze???? Uh huh. In true American Idol fashion, they once again crowned the wrong person. CRYSTAL BOWERSOX WAS ROBBED!!! That is all.
What are your thoughts on last nights show???

BIG UPS to Venus Diva Magazine!! - Looks Like I'm Not the ONLY One Who is FED UP With the "Naked" Plus Model Trend...

2010-05-24T12:13:00.001-05:00

Check out this article written by Stephanie Danforth and feel free to leave your thoughts...

http://dailyvenusdiva.com/2010/05/are-nude-plus-size-models-what-we-really-want/comment-page-1/#comment-2315

ISTOCK Photo Warning/Rant!

2010-05-24T09:09:00.000-05:00

Ok everyone, this morning while checking my e-mail account I saw an e-mail from my friend LeTonya Reed, 2010 Ms. American Beauties Plus, warning me that she saw a pop up of me on blackBBWsingles.com ! This is the second time that my photo has been used to promote something that I do NOT agree with. Earlier this year, I was all over myspace to promote ACAI berry or some other bogus diet company. I told my photographer about it and she honestly seemed annoyed that I was offended by the use of my photo in this particular way. HELLO?? I'm a happily married woman for cryin' out loud! Plus, my husband and I think that online dating services suck! We would never encourage anyone (male or female) to put themselves out there like that to find somebody, especially women ("he that findeth a wife" ladies!).

I e-mailed the company this morning to ask them to take it down. Whether they choose to or not is up to them. Meanwhile, I have learned a very valuable lesson: Just say no to IStock! I supposed having your photos on IStock can be beneficial in many ways, but I have yet to benefit from it! I've had to go back and "explain" myself way more than I should! If you are considering putting your pictures on IStock, please know that you will have no control over who chooses to purchase your pictures. While the contract says that your pictures cannot be used for pornographic or defamatory reasons, your photographer and other companies may have differing views of what's considered "defamatory" than you do. Be sure to be VERY specific when drawing up your contract! If you feel the slightest twang of doubt, DON'T!

I see what's happening here. With success comes persecution, typically. However, the devil is a liar and a defeated foe!

Has this ever happened to any of you? Thoughts??

Spring Update: Pageants, Plays, and FFF Week (Among Other Things)!

2010-05-14T14:36:00.000-05:00

Hey Everybody! First of all, I am SOOO sorry that it has been SO long since my last blog! My life really has been going at super-TURBO speed lately! Let's start with some updates:
1) The 2010 Miss Oklahoma Plus America Pageant - I did not win:-(. However, I did VERY well! I got 2nd Runner-Up and I won the Best Spokesmodel and Talent Awards!
2) The 2010 Miss Illinois Plus America Pageant - Exactly one week after the Oklahoma pageant, I was on hand to crown the next 2010 Mrs. Illinois Plus America - Mrs. Cindy Ramos! Other division winners include: Myisha Hill - Miss Illinois Plus America 2010, and Janet Miller - Ms. Illinois Plus America 2010. CONGRATS LADIES!!!
3) I was featured in a CBS 2 Chicago "Someone You Should Know" news segment with Harry Porterfield!! The segment was really AWESOME!!I won't even tell you how many times I've watched it...LOL! Feel free to view it for yourself at : http://cbs2chicago.com/local/Nikeya.Young.plus.2.1682313.html
4) Tomorrow is the Opening Night for my hit stage play, "Transgressions" written and directed by Jeremiah Frazier! The play will take place at 777 N. Green at the Chicago Theater for the Performing Arts. I play "First Lady Alexis Joy" who is DEFINITELY not your typical first lady! You REALLY don't wanna miss this show! Got to the director's web site at www.jeremiahfrazier.com for ticket information. **The play runs on May 15th, 22nd, and 29th!

**Is your head spinning yet? Imagine being the person who's doing all of this stuff! And I left my job and became a substitute teacher closer to my West Suburban neighborhood in the midst of all of this craziness! Not done yet:-)...
5) FFF Week - As you now, Rosie Mercado was chosen as the winner of the Face of Full Figured Fashion Week this year. Congrats Chica:-)! I came in 4th place with 1074 votes. Nevertheless, I am still going to FFF Week! I am extremely excited about gleaning from the beauties in the Plus Size Industry and taking my modeling career to the next level! Full Figured Fashion Week starts next month from June 16-19th! I will keep you posted!
6) My hit single "Who Are They Anyway?" is available for download purchase on Amazon.com!!! Go there, type in my name, and it'll come up! Be sure to write me some customer reviews because no one has commented on it yet. Who eill be the first to comment??? Hmmm, I wonder:-)?
WHEW! I know that was a lot! I'll make sure to update my blog more often in the future:-)!

XOXO's,
Nikeya N. Young
2010 Mrs. Tulsa County Plus America
www.nikeyayoung.com

The 2010 Miss Oklahoma Plus America Pageant is ALMOST Here!

2010-04-26T11:39:00.001-05:00

I am SOOO excited:-)! I leave this Thursday for Norman, Oklahoma. Rodney and I are driving down. I will be using all those hours on the road to practice interview questions. I am getting all of my outfits together & going for my final fitting of my evening gown today:-)! Everything is slowly but surely coming together:-). By the way, the 2010 Miss Oklahoma Plus America Covergirl competition ended at midnight! I hope that I was able to pull off a win, but they're going to torture us until the pageant! I will post details and have plenty of pics when I return:-)!

The OKC Bombing and A Farewell to Martha Green - 15 Years Later

2010-04-19T09:32:00.000-05:00

Today marks the 15th anniversary of the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Building in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. I was 14 years old when this tragedy occurred, and I was having my world simultaneously rocked by another tragedy: my mother had just lapsed into a coma the day before. When I found out about what happened in Oklahoma City, I was in my mother's hospital room at the Tulsa Regional Medical Center (now called OSU Medical Center) in my hometown of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Nursed stopped what they were doing to see what was going on.

Everyone was horrified by the details of what was going on in Oklahoma City, including my Aunt Helen, who was an employee for the Oklahoma State Employment Office in Tulsa at the time. She had gone to the Alfred P. Murrah building several times for meetings and job trainings. I was shocked too, but I could only process one unbelievable event at a time. All I wanted was for my mother to wake up. She was on Peritoneal Dialysis (http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/peritoneal/) and had developed peritonitis. The symptoms were masked by her Prednisone medication that she was taking for Lupus complications. By the time she'd shown any symptoms of "not feeling too well", the infection had spread throughout her body, much like when someone's appendix ruptures.

When we visited the hospital each day, all anyone could talk about was the OKC bombing and the current "body count" & etc. It was just TOO much to process at one time! My family had to give strict instructions to the nurses to stop playing the daily news in my mother's room. We placed a tape player in her room and played healing sermons, worship music, and scriptures on it constantly. We kept the faith that Mom was going to wake up, and we didn't want news of death and destruction constantly entering her ears!

Eventually, I did hear the news while in the hospital waiting room. After all, there isn't much else to do in hospitals. It was until day 2 or 3 that I realized the enormity of the tragedy that had taken place just 1 and 1/2 hours South of Tulsa. I felt an instant connection to the many other people who were likely sitting in hospital rooms with their loved ones, hoping for the best, just as I was. My mother never woke up from her coma. She died at 4:00p.m. on Monday, April 24, 1995. I am sure that no one from Oklahoma will ever forget the events that happened on April 19, 1995, and neither will I. The bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Building, and the passing of my beautiful mother Martha L. Green are forever entangled in my personal history.

http://www.newsok.com/oklahoma-city-marks-15-years-since-bombing/article/3455146?custom_click=headlines_widget

Nikeya Young

2010 Mrs. Tulsa County Plus America

"Promoting Lupus Education in the African - American Community"

www.lupus.org

My Miss Plus America Journey

2010-04-15T10:51:00.000-05:00

VOTE FOR NIKEYA YOUNG!!! as the Face of Full Figured Fashion Week:-)!!!

2010-04-09T18:51:00.001-05:00

Check out my latest video montage where I discuss the Face of Full Figured Fashion Week, the 2010 Miss Oklahoma Plus America Pageant, and my upcoming play "Transgressions"!

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

VOTE ME AS THE FACE OF FULL FIGURED FASHION WEEK!!!

2010-04-06T10:16:00.000-05:00

Hello Everyone:-)!

Full Figured Fashion Week is BACK, and the "Face of Full-Figured Fashion Week" contest is back too! I have entered the contest, but I need your help in order to win!

Go to www.fffweek.com , click on "Vote: The Face of Full Figured Fashion Week" scroll down and click on Nikeya Young, then hit "vote"! It's THAT simple:-). The winner of this contest gets a round trip ticket to New York City, a professional photo shoot, a chance to be the host of the VIP reception during FFF Week, and their beautiful face featured on all of the promotions (billboards, tickets, flyers, & etc.) at the event! So, needless to say, this is a VERY big deal! I am believing God for favor and standing beside my faith confession that I am the 2010 Face of Full Figured Fashion Week:-)!

** This is the photo that is featured on the web site. The photographer is none other than PLUS Model Magazine's own Lucas Pictures in New York. So while you're on their voting for me, you can click on the FFF Week Awards and vote for Plus Model Magazine as the E-Zine of the year, and Vote for Lucas Pictures as the Plus Model Photographer of the year!

Weening Myself Off of the "Creamy Crack"!!

2010-03-25T13:50:00.000-05:00

All my beautiful black sistas know EXACTLY what I'm talking about: it's time to say goodbye to relaxers! This is NOT an easy process by any stretch of the imagination, so ya'll PLEASE pray 4 a sista (LOL)!! I have an appointment for tomorrow with one of the hottest stylists in the city of Chicago and all of it's surrounding suburbs: Erskine Reeves. My hair hasn't been permed since the beginning of November, but due to it's fine texture, you can't even tell...until you see my edges! WHEW! Kitchen-city! I am thinking I may need a very light texturizer on my edges, but the rest can be washed, blow-dried and flat iron and be JUST fine! I must admit, I'm anxious to see the results because Erskine's really good! I've never been to him, but I've seen his work several times and he definitely has the "hair anointing"! I will post the results tomorrow so that you can judge for yourself. Here's his web site: www.ersalonandspa.com. By the way, the pic shown here is a shot of my real hair that I took not too long ago. I figure my appointment with Erskine will allow me to wear "my" hair until it's time for me to head off to the Miss Oklahoma Plus America Pageant on April 30th/May 1st! I will be wearing a sew-in weave for that event. Oh the things we go through with our hair! LOL:-)!

ANTM: Tick Tock - WHAT Would You Do if THIS Happened to You???

2010-03-18T22:15:00.000-05:00

ANTM: Tick Tock

I've Got The "Oh Why Won't An Agency Just SIGN ME ALREADY!" Blues Today

2010-03-16T11:44:00.000-05:00

Don't get me wrong, I have worked a lot since launching my Plus Modeling career in January of 2008! I've placed in the top five in the Miss Plus America pageant 2 years in a row, been featured in NUMEROUS fashion shows, been featured on Chicago's ABC7 AND NBC 5, and even been seen nationally on National Geographic's show "Taboo! I've done more photo shoots than I can count, and much more, but the holy grail of Plus Modeling, or any kind of modeling (obtaining agency representation) has STILL managed to elude me...for now.

I know that I am still very much a model without having an agency, despite those who think you're not a real model if you're not signed! I have made quite a name for myself in the city of Chicago which is no small feat as our city is chock full of BEAUTIFUL Plus-Size women! If you google me, a LOT will come up, and I don't say that to sound arrogant:-)! It's true! I have to gas myself up a little bit every now and then and remind myself of everything that I've accomplished in such a short amount of time. This is the only thing that keeps me from losing it and thinking that some must be wrong with me when I apply to agency after agency and continue to get rejected!

I know, I know! It's all a part of the business, but it's my blog and I'll vent if I want to! It's frustrating, but I REFUSE to give up!

T-Town Gives Marion Jones A Shot at a Comeback!!

2010-03-12T10:00:00.001-06:00

I was very excited to hear this news! For one, Marion Jones is coming back from obscurity after being humiliated by that whole steroids scandal! And two, she's going to play for my hometown...Tulsa, Oklahoma! The Tulsa Shock should be a force to be reckoned with this year! It's nice to see that she's not letting her past mistakes keep her down! Go Girl:-)!

http://www.wnba.com/shock/news/jones_100310.html

2010 Miss Oklahoma Plus America Boot Camp!!

2010-03-08T12:32:00.000-06:00

So, I just got back from Oklahoma yesterday from the 2010 Miss Oklahoma Plus America Boot Camp and it was FABULOUS!! It was really great to hang out with the rest of the contestants and practice, Practice, PRACTICE:-)! I also had the pleasure of meeting with District 48 Oklahoma Senator Constance Johnson, and attend a Lupus Gospel Fest at Wildewood Christian Center in Oklahoma City:-)! I feel more ready than ever for the state pageant! But I STILL need your support:-)!

There's still a couple of weeks left to donate! Go to www.giveforward.org/2010MrsTulsaCountyPlus

GUESS WHAT?? MY SINGLE "WHO ARE THEY ANYWAY?" IS AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE:-)!

2010-03-04T14:18:00.000-06:00

As you can tell, I'm a little excited about the official release of my new hit single "Who Are They Anyway?". Please go to:

www.cdbaby.com/cd/nikeyayoung

Get your copy today! Let's make this single skyrocket to the top of the charts!

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! Tulsa, We Can Do Better Than This!!!

2010-03-02T18:57:00.000-06:00

** Please check out the following link for more information in the shooting death of my cousin Antonio (Tony) Valentino Verner.

http://www.newson6.com/Global/story.asp?S=12065027

A Letter to My Hometown

Hello,

My name is Nikeya Young and I am the reigning 2010 Mrs. Tulsa County Plus America. I was raised in Tulsa my whole life, and though I now reside in the suburbs of Chicago, I still fly down to Tulsa regularly to see my family members and/or make pageant appearances. I was initially very excited to come to Oklahoma for the Miss Oklahoma Plus America Boot Camp this weekend. Instead, I will be coming down for my cousin Valentino "Tony" Verner's funeral.

I just received news about what happened to Tony on yesterday. Of course I was VERY distraught to learn that my cousin has passed away, but what I am more disturbed about is the fact that over a hundred other people watched him get gunned down right in front of their faces and did nothing. Over a hundred people didn't see fit to call 911. Over a hundred people didn't even see fit to run for their own lives???!!! How do you hear 15 or more gun shots go off and continue to wait in line for some fried chicken? A better question for the owners of the Chicken Hut would be " How do you witness one of your customers gunned down right before your eyes and CONTINUE TO SERVE CHICKEN??!!

Has Tulsa really come to this? I am no stranger to violence. I grew up in Osage Hills Apartments on the North side and the apartment complex formerly known as Sun Garden on 61st & Peoria on the South side in the 80's and 90's. Even though I grew up in harsh environments, everyone in my neighborhood looked out for each other. People had compassion for each other. What happened to my cousin is the worst disregard for human life that I have ever seen! And I'm not just talking about the shooter who riddled my 27 year-old cousin's body with so many bullets that the doctors stopped counting them at 15. I'm talking about the heartless crowd of people who did nothing to try and help the victim.

This is not just my family's problem. This is not just North Tulsa's problem. It's TULSA'S problem. The whole community needs to ban together, develop neighborhood watch programs, increase security, and most importantly SHUT THE CHICKEN HUT DOWN! If the owners of this restaurant are more concerned about making a few bucks than they are about the safety of their customers, then they don't need to run a business! I know that there was nothing they could have done to stop the shooting, but their response to this shooting was absolutely DEPLORABLE!

And before you decide that this doesn't concern you and that those "animals" that live on the North side of Tulsa can just kill themselves off for all you care, remember that you or someone you love could be the next body lying on the ground while people step over your bullet-riddled body to purchase chicken dinners. Do we want Tulsa to be the "Detroit of the South"? ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!

Sincerely,

Nikeya Young

2010 Mrs. Tulsa County Oklahoma Plus America

*Cousin of Homicide victim Antonio Valentino "Tony" Verner

"A father, a son, a human being"

Crystal Renn: 'Think Health, Not Fat' - ABC News

2010-02-24T12:21:00.000-06:00

Crystal Renn: 'Think Health, Not Fat' - ABC News

Watch the video clip above and join the debate! I'll weigh in after you all:-).

PLUS Model Magazine Lands on Tyra's Radar! (Hey, It's a start)..

2010-02-24T11:18:00.000-06:00

Check out this link:

http://www.tyra.com/view/MODEL_WHITNEY

Maybe next, she'll have Maddy and Mia on her show?:-)!

So You Wanna Be A Plus Model?? Don't Miss This Event!

2010-02-24T10:51:00.000-06:00

Hello Everyone! It gives me great pleasure to promote Curvy All-Star weekend (April 16-19th in New York)!! There will be a number of really AWESOME activities taking place during this fabulous weekend, among which are:

1) The Model Intensive w/ Plus Model Mia Amber ! Ashley Stewart Model and Plus Model Magazine Creative Editor-At-Large, Mia Amber will conduct an intensive training and answer ALL of your questions as to how YOU can become a Plus Model!

2) The second event taking place this weekend will be a walk for MS (Multiple Sclerosis)! PLUS Model Magazine will have a team walking in this event. Even if you cannot make it out to New York to walk with the team, please click on the flyer to find out how you can support the PLUS Model team as they go forth for this amazing cause!

**I have also heard that the Curvy All-Star Weekend will kick off with a party, but I do not have all of the details about that. As soon as I find out, I will post!

Check Out My Feature In The Following Blog...

2010-02-23T08:53:00.000-06:00

http://garotaglamourosa.blogspot.com/

I, along with Chicago Plus Model Lauren Koenig, am listed underneath the category "Plus Models Who Inspire Us"! I am very flattered to have been featured:-)! The owner of this blog notified me on my facebook fan page, but when I went to respond, I accidentally hit delete! So, I subscribed to the blog, and I just want to say thank you to Garota Glamourosa for thinking of me:-)!

THINK BIG!

2010-02-22T08:54:00.000-06:00

Proverbs 23;7 says "For as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.."

How we view ourselves has a GREAT deal to do with where we end up in life. That's why it's important to me to create vision boards, read books/blogs/magazines featuring people who are at the place that I am trying to get to, look through Homes & Land Magazines and pick out houses that I can see myself living in, and....go to the Chicago Auto Show EVERY YEAR so I can sit in cars that I will be driving in the very near future:-). My husband and I do things like this ALL the time! People may think you're crazy and first, but they won't be laughing once your dreams manifest! Think about it, every celebrity that exists, got to where they are by believing in themselves, working hard, and dreaming BIG!

Weight Discrimination Reaches A New Low....

2010-02-18T09:54:00.000-06:00

Hey Everyone! Check out this article from CNN.com. This is really sick, and doctors who do this should be ashamed of themselves!

http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/01/21/obesity.discrimination/index.html#cnnSTCText

Let me know what you think...

Wanna See My Real Hair? (My "Tyra" Moment)

2010-02-17T10:39:00.000-06:00

One of the most COMMON stereotypes of faithful weave-wearers such as myself is that we don't have any hair! Obviously from this picture (taken on Valentine's Day), you can see that's not true. I will actually be so bold as to say that the healthy state of my hair is largely due to my frequent sew-ins! When done correctly, sew-ins allow the hair to have a much needed break from excessive heat, styling, and chemicals. This is especially key for me seeing as how I have very fine textured hair. I am highly considering coming off of perms entirely and getting perhaps a light texturizer for my edges. I haven't had a perm since the beginning of November, and judging by this picture, I don't really need one. SOOOO yeah, to recap:

1. Yes, I LOVE weaves!

2. No, I'm NOT bald-headed.

"Nikeya! You have such beautiful hair! Why do you wear weaves?" Glad u asked.

A. Weaves give my fine-textured hair a much needed break from heat and styling.

B. I like the versatility for photo shoots, pageants, plays, and everything else that I do. It shaves at least 20 minutes off my morning to be able to shower, get dressed, and leave without spending time combing my hair in the morning!

C. Because I want to and I can:-).

That is all.

Stretch Yourself (and your faith)!

2010-02-17T09:16:00.000-06:00

Ask yourself this question:

If money weren't an issue and you could do anything you wanted to do (career-wise), what would you be doing right now? Many times we neglect the dreams and gifts that God has placed inside of us and choose the job with the highest paying salary so we can pay our bills. While providing for ourselves and our families is a major priority, many times we don't put any energy into what we're really gifted to do. For years I made excuses as to why I wasn't able to pursue singing and modeling. In 2008, I decided to just DO IT! I signed up for my first photo shoot and I was on my way:-). I still have a regular job, but I've decided that I will never put my hopes and dreams on the backburner again...and neither should you!

**Note: If you're seeking direction from God as to what your next steps should be, you may want to pray the prayer listed below this entry.

Try This Prayer for One Week...

2010-02-16T13:49:00.000-06:00

As most of you know, I attend Living Word Christian Center in Forest Park, Illinois. My pastor is Dr. Bill Winston. Dr. Winston has asked the church to meditate on the following scripture and pray it for one week:

"Father, I pray that you give me spiritual wisdom and insight so that I might grow in my knowledge of you. I pray that my heart will be flooded with light, so that I may understand the confident hope that you have given to your Holy people who are your rich and glorious inheritance. I also pray that I will understand the incredible greatness of your power for those of us who believe in you. **This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God's right hand in the heavenly realms." - Ephesians 1: 16-20

Go ahead and pray this everyday for wisdom, enlightenment, and understanding from God. Let me know of any testimonies that you have after trying this:-)! I'll post mine as well.

Who Are They Anyway?

2010-02-09T15:49:00.001-06:00

Hey Friends/Fans/Family! Check out my latest video featuring my upcoming hit single "Who Are They Anyway?" Feel free to rate and comment on the youtube video:-)! I will let all of you know as soon as the single is available for purchase/download!

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

New Winter Portfolio Pics...

2010-02-08T12:54:00.000-06:00

These are some pics from my last photo shoot on December 31, 2009 with Atlanta Photographer Tatum Forbes. There are NO words to describe how cold it was outside, but I toughed it out:-). And as you can see, the results were GREAT!

What Happens When You Don't "Make the Cut"?

2010-02-08T12:35:00.000-06:00

As many of you know, I auditioned to be on the hit reality t.v. show "Dance Your A*S Off" back in December. The audition process was VERY lengthy, but I made it to the 3rd/final interview round out of everyone from Chicago who came out. Of course this was something that I really wanted to do, but like anything else, I wasn't so invested in getting this opportunity that I thought it was going to be the "end of the world" if I didn't get it.

There's a facebook group for this television show and I was a fan on there, so periodically I'd go on and chat with people from across the country who had also auditioned. After the deadline passed and the show's producer, Lisa Ann Walters came out and told us that the cast had been chosen and thanked us for participating, the reactions were mixed. I was just basically happy that I made it as far as I did, but some were angry, VERY angry. Some people were basically cussing Lisa Ann Walters out for having the audacity to "not" choose them! No, seriously. Some people were basically saying things that were along the vein of their lives being hopeless now, and assuming they would be fat forever because they didn't make this weight loss show. My first thought was "Oh grow up!" but then compassion set in because I've been there before. We all have.

The thing I've learned in this business and in life, is that you can't be afraid of rejection. You have to know and LOVE who you are. If you don't, then every time you're not chosen for something, you'll assume it was because something was wrong with you. When you don't make the cut:

1) Thank the person you auditioned for because they didn't have to consider you in the first place. Also, you don't want to give them attitude because maybe you weren't right for "this" opportunity, but they may keep you in mind for the next one.

2)Learn from the experience. If you have a chance, ask the person what you could do to make you a stronger candidate for the next opportunity.

3) Don't burn bridges! If something doesn't work out, just leave gracefully. Don't storm out the door cursing people out and giving them a piece of your mind. You NEVER know when you may need these people again for references, or whatever.

4) Remember, God's got something better in store for you, so just TRUST HIM! Pray and ask God what you should do next.

2010 Mrs. Tulsa County Plus America Makes an Appearance at a Lupus Foundation Event...

2010-02-02T12:52:00.000-06:00

On Saturday, January 30th (the day before my 29th birthday), I had the pleasure of making an appearance at a Lupus Education/Informational Session at Trinity U.C.C's Village Center on 95th & Damen. As most of you already know, my platform is "Lupus Education in the African American Community". I learned a LOT at this event, which I will expound upon in a later post:-)! But most importantly, I met several courageous, beautiful women, young & old, and some men as well, who are fighting this disease. I saw the strength of my mother in each of these women, and it was quite a sight to see! I would like to extend my thanks to the Illinois Lupus Foundation for allowing me to come and participate in this event!

Check Out This New CNN Article - "Is 2010 the Year of 'Plus'?"

2010-01-14T15:10:00.000-06:00

You may have noticed that there has been a "Plus" uprising in magazines, media, film, reality shows and the like. The latest spreads in "V" and "Glamour" Magazine have definitely turned heads! We now have our own fashion week - Full Figured Fashion Week (www.fffweek.com) , we're on the big screen more and more, and Plus fashion is very popular! Has the playing field "FINALLY" been leveled? Read this article and then decide for yourself:

http://www.cnn.com/2010/SHOWBIZ/01/14/plus.size.models/index.html

Oh, and by the way Muslimah, I TOTALLY agree with your point!! We Plus size girls do NOT need to take our clothes off to show that we're Plus sized and beautiful! I'm excited about the Plus movement, but this "naked" Plus movement is degrading and needs to S - T - O - P! In case you're wondering, I don't think it's any more appropriate when skinny models pose naked either, I still think it's glorified porn. Disagree if ya wanna, but it's my blog & my opinion:-)!

MY NEW SINGLE "WHO ARE THEY ANYWAY?" IS COMING THIS WEEKEND!!!

2010-01-12T09:51:00.001-06:00

Ok, so you can probably tell by the "all caps" that I am extremely excited about this single! God gave me this song 2 years ago and I am THRILLED to see it being birthed forth! We are releasing the single "Who Are They Anyway?" (formerly entitled "Created In His Image") online this weekend. It will also be available to purchase through CD baby. I will bring you more details as soon as the song is released. In the meantime, click on this link to my youtube channel if you want to hear a snippet of the song. I have a video of the editing session in which a good friend of mine, Angela Jones stopped by to add her AWESOME bass guitar skills!

How You Can Support Your 2010 Mrs. Tulsa County Plus America - Nikeya Young

2010-01-05T12:26:00.000-06:00

Hello Everyone,

I have been receiving many questions as to how to donate/help me out on my journey to the 2010 Miss Oklahoma Plus America pageant. Here is a list of ways YOU can help:

1) Purchase an ad for your business (tax deductable)!

Ad Price List is as follows:

$150.00 - Full Page

$125.00 - Half Page

*Please send me an e-mail at nikeyayoung@gmail.com for copies of ad forms, patron listings, and tickets to the event.

2) People's Choice Voting - This is the portion of the competition where you pick the person that you would send to nationals if the judging were left entirely up to YOU! You can place your votes for me at $1.00 per vote (there is no limit on how many votes you may cast)!

3) Patron Listing - You may have your name, city & state listed in the patrons section of the program book for a donation of $20 (cash or money order).

4) Buy A Ticket From Me to attend the pageant's final night on May 1, 2010! Tickets are $35.00 each.

5) Plus Size Designers/Clothing Stores may sponsor me buy giving or loaning me outfits to wear for difference phases of the competition (Interview Suit, Fashion/Cocktail Pantwear, Evening Gown, Shoes, accessories, casual wear)! This would be a BIG help:-).

6) Make a personal donation by going to www.paypal.com and typing in nikeyayoung@gmail.com . Put "Personal Pageant Donation" in the title box

Where to send the monies: personal donations, and people's choice votes can be made in person, or via my paypal account. All other items (ad purchases, ticket purchases, and patron listings) should be send to: Nikeya Young - 2010 Mrs. Tulsa County Plus America P.O. Box 300353 Midwest City, Oklahoma 73110 with their appropriate forms (ad forms, patron listing forms, and etc.). Please feel free to call 630-297-7831 f you have any further questions.

THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

Best Regards,

Nikeya N. Young

2010 Mrs. Tulsa County Plus America

Nikeya Young - Plus Model/Singer/Songwriter/Actress/Chicago Plus-Size Fashion Examiner

Victoria Secret Model Quits Because of Her Christian Beliefs...

Happy 31st Birthday to Me:-)! My New Single "Taking Dominion" is available NOW!!!

East Coast Plus-Size Clothing Company "Eddy & Bri" Announces the Winner of Their Blogger Search....

Nikeya Young - New Music in 2012...

2011 - My Year in Review

Backstory: How I Wound up in USA TODAY!!!

Tragedy of EPIC Proportions - BORDERS Bookstores CLOSING!!!

Color-Struck: "Where Are All of the Dark-Skinned Plus Models?"

Ok Ohio, LeBron's Gone.....GET OVER IT ALREADY!!!!

My Chicago Examiner Site (Update)...

My First "Chicago Plus-Size Fashion" Examiner Article is Live!!

Please Welcome Chicago's Plus-Size Fashion Examiner...MOI:-)!

Why It's CRUCIAL for Small Businesses to Just Say "NO" to "Hook-Ups"....

Reinventing Myself.....AGAIN:-)!

"Why Do The Good Die Young?" Dispelling the BIGGEST Myth of All...

Remembering Mia Amber Davis: PLUS Model/Actress/Industry Icon

The TRUTH (As I Know It) About IStock.com

Check Out My Article "PLUS Industry Super Moms" in the May Issue of PLUS Model Magazine!

"The New ThYck" Fashion Exhibition at the Toyota Creative Lounge

The Pandora's Box Fashion Experience = AWESOME to the 10th Power!

Check Out My Blog Features for Deztinni Clothing Line:-)!

Where's The Justice??!?!?!

Seeking Balance: Job, Home, My Dream (Singing/Modeling/Acting)

GREAT News!!! The Essence Magazine/Nissan Driving Innovation in Style Contest Finalists Have Been Announced, and.....

"Mrs. Young" is Back:-) !

I DID IT!! My Master Cleanse Journey is Coming to an End:-)!

Master Cleanse Journey -The End Is Near! * Day 8

Operation Detox - My Journey on the Master Cleanse

2011 Chicago Blizzard *Snowmageddon*

30 FIERCE & FABULOUS!!!

Frenemies, Part 2: How to Avoid Becoming a "Frenemy"

Ways to Tell If Your "Friend" Is Really a "Frenemy"...

Missed Crystal Renn's Interview w/ PLUS Model Radio? Check It Out Here & Post Your Thoughts! (I'll Wait)...

Vote for Me to Win the Black Opal Cosmetics Model Search!

PLUS Model Radio is Interviewing Crystal Renn on Monday Night!!!

My 60 Second Review of the Season 4 Premiere of BET's The Game...

2011 - The Year of Liberty! Writing the Vision and Making it PLAIN!

Christmas 2010 & My Favorite Moments of 2010

Don't Let My ThYckness Fool You! Nikeya Young = Healthy Plus Model

Plus Model Indicted for Giving Illegal Booty Injections!!!

R&B Singer Brandy WRONGFULLY Booted Off of Dancing With the Stars Last Night!

Shunning Fat Friends Can Help You Lose Weight??!!! - WHAT THE MESS?!?!

Operation Weight Loss Continues:-)!

Nikeya Young - "Face of the Week" AND "Model of the Month" !

SOOOOO FREAKIN' CLOSE!!!!! (2010 Ashley Stewart Model Search)

Lessons We Can Take From the Whoopi/Joy/Bill O'Reilly Fiasco...

Ashley Stewart Has Just Posted Their 10 Finalists in the Model Search Contest AND.....I'M ON IT!!!

Things Get HEATED on The View This Morning!!! Whoopi and Joy Walk OUT!

WHOA!!! Stop The Press! Monif C.'s Latest Holiday Arrivals Have Hit the Racks!

The October Issue of Plus Model Magazine is HAWT!!!

My October "Weight & Fitness Update"

October Update: The ThYck Troupe of Chicago Gets PROPS from Ashley Stewart!

Katy Perry Banned From Sesame Street!

Check Out My #HighSchoolConfessions Interview w/ Blogger NikStar!!!

"Rejecting Rejection"

If You Haven't Checked Out the September/Fashion Issue of PLUS Model Magazine Already...Shame On You!!!

I Cordially Invite ALL of You to Attend the International Faith Conference Next Week!!

SO...Torrid.com Has Released Their 25 Finalists for the House of Dreams Plus Model Search...AND....

Video Blog - August Update 8/9/10

Looking Ahead to Fall Fashion... My 10 "Fall Must-Haves"

Model Crystal Renn Talks About Photoshop Controversy on 'The View' (VIDEO)

On the C.L.: Crystal Renn on Her Skinny Photos: “I Don’t Look Like That”: glamour.com

Lessons We Can All Learn From the "Lebron" Drama...

How Far Will We ALLOW Them to Lower the Plus-Size Bar?!!!

Cool People I Met At FFF Week:-)!

Full Figured Fashion Week was FABULOUS!!!!

Summer Plans Heat Up for Nikeya Young - STAY TUNED...

Read My Two Articles in This Month's Issue of PLUS Model Magazine...

Last Night's American Idol Finale...A Hodge Podge of Never-Ending Randomness!

BIG UPS to Venus Diva Magazine!! - Looks Like I'm Not the ONLY One Who is FED UP With the "Naked" Plus Model Trend...

ISTOCK Photo Warning/Rant!

Spring Update: Pageants, Plays, and FFF Week (Among Other Things)!

The 2010 Miss Oklahoma Plus America Pageant is ALMOST Here!

The OKC Bombing and A Farewell to Martha Green - 15 Years Later

My Miss Plus America Journey

VOTE FOR NIKEYA YOUNG!!! as the Face of Full Figured Fashion Week:-)!!!

VOTE ME AS THE FACE OF FULL FIGURED FASHION WEEK!!!

Weening Myself Off of the "Creamy Crack"!!

ANTM: Tick Tock - WHAT Would You Do if THIS Happened to You???

2011 Chicago Blizzard Snowmageddon