Kenya Eugene - Profiles : CORE Magazine

Fashion

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November 24, 2007

KENYA EUGENE
CRUZAN GODDESS

By: kaya.lah
From Our Nov - Dec 2007 Issue

CORE: What made you decide to pursue music and fashion?

KE: Well I always loved to sing, and realized my passion for it since I was in Head Start. My first memory of singing before an audience was at four years old in Marley Head start. I remember telling my teacher Mrs. Weeks that I was going to be a famous singer when I grew up! * But I only decided to pursue fashion recently about two years ago.

CORE: Do you prefer one over the other?

KE: Definitely if I had to choose one over the other, it would be singing. Singing is my first love!

CORE: Who were your influences?

KE: My dad Joseph Eugene R.I.P. 12/00 first and foremost, he always sang and played music around the house that was always fun time for me! He was also there to tell me where I needed to improve, he taught me about control. Also being the youngest of seven siblings, I always looked up to my older sisters and followed them around; particularly Natasha and Desarie. I used to always go to choir practice with them every morning at school. I started doing that since Kindergarten, and fell in love with the alto section.

CORE: Describe your music style.

KE: My style of music was more so R&B/ soul, but lately I see myself switching over to R&B Pop, but who know what I’ll do next!

CORE: What message do you try to advocate in your music?

KE: In my music I talk about allot of heart break, relationships, love, life, and some inspirational topics.

CORE: In the fashion industry do you prefer runway or photo-modeling?

KE: I definitely prefer to do runway modeling over print modeling, simply for the rush u get while pumping down the runway!

CORE: What designers are you working with?

KE: Since I’ve been in New York, I focused on getting to allot of castings for fashion week and some magazines such as Metropolitan Magazine, and Essence Magazine. However, thus far I’ve been blessed to work with one designer, of Montgomery Boutique.

CORE: What lessons have you learned throughout your career?

KE: So far for the month I’ve been here, I’ve learned that in this business you have to check everything out thoroughly before making any decisions.

CORE: What advice would you give to VI youths following in your footsteps?

KE: Never just take anyone’s word as gospel truth, check it out for yourself! And if you can, get some legal advice while you’re at it. Sometimes, even the people you work with will try to take advantage of you, so don’t just step out in to the open being naive. Always have a mindset that you have to be the best at whatever you do. And never give up

CORE: Who would you say paved the way for you?

KE: Definitely my parents if no one else prepared me for life’s journeys. My backbone hard! I’ve been through hell and back but I’m still standing. They taught me to follow my dreams and never to give up.

CORE: Any thanks or shout-outs?

KE: I just want to give thanks to God for blessing me with such wonderful talents! Also to my Mom Rosalie Eugene for being so supportive at all times, and coming to every performance I have ever had since Elementary school! To my siblings for always being so proud of me, my close friends and family for all their support, my fiancé and best friend, Leburn Smith the most important person in my world right now: for always being my right hand through thick and thin, I love you pappi! Also to Mrs.Cyndee Ible Frontal owner of my Mother Agency in St. Croix: Cyndee’s Models In the Isle, for providing me with the training and giving me the exposure I needed to get thus far in my modeling career. To Core Magazine for even taking an interest in me and giving me this opportunity to be known throughout the Caribbean.

Never just take anyone's word as gospel truth, check it out for yourself!