21 Questions with Nenneh Diop

1. How did you get into modeling?

“My family always told me that I should, but once I moved to Miami there was more opportunity and that when I began to get more serious about my modeling career”

2. Do you remember your first shoot?

”I did Charlotte Seen and the girl didn’t know how to do my makeup, which is something I believe a lot of black models struggle with in this industry.”

3. How has the pandemic affected your life and career?

“It’s been much harder but once things began to open up its starting to get back to normal but the time in lockdown gave me time to think of concepts and plan shoots.”

4. What’s the worst shoot you ever had?

”I haven’t necessarily had a bad one, but it’s just about photographers not being prepared and scouting locations correctly. If the models communicate with the photographers it’ll always be a good shoot.”

5. What is something people don’t know about modeling?

”People think it’s easy but it’s very hard. Some poses that seem to come natural don’t and are very uncomfortable. Recently I did a shoot where I was in the water getting hit by waves and scraping up my legs and people don’t see that it’s not all glamorous, it’s about getting the shot.”

6. Something people don’t know about you?

”I do kickboxing,I don’t like yoga, and I’m majoring in ecosystem science and policy.”

7. Who are your biggest fashion icons?

”Naomi Campbell, Bella Hadid, Jasmine Sanders, and Tiana Parker”

8. An aesthetic you wish you could pull off?

”I think I can pull off a lot, but I really wish I could pull of New York streetwear.”

9. Food you miss from North Carolina?

”The Dumpling Lady”

10. Food people have to try in Miami?

”Cuban and Haitian food because it’s delicious and authentic. there is also a place 1 800 LUCKY it’s a food hall with all Asian food.”

11. Something you’re looking forward to in the new year?

”I’m manifesting getting signed in the new year and just growing as a person. I’m also graduating this upcoming year.”

12. Any New Years resolutions?

“I usually don’t make them but I’d just like to stay consistent with all the things I do”

13. What would you like to see change in the modeling industry?

”Things have been changing but a lot of things are very much the same. The most inclusive industry I’ve been seeing is in the UK, but in places like Milan, Paris, and New York not much has changed. They still look for the same size 0 women, and especially when it comes to women of color, they will have mostly white women and once they get one mixed girl, or one black girl, or one Asian girl they think that is diverse and it’s not. Even in plus sized or curvy models they still have a shape that most would call desirable”

14. How have you faced discrimination in the industry?

“When I went to this one casting, he looked at my digitals and said ‘no we have a girl who looks like you.’ and I don’t think we look alike. Another time I’m obviously skinny but my stomach isn’t extremely flat and the woman said ‘people tell you you’re commercial because they’re scared to tell you it’s take too long to get rid of your stomach.’ I’m glad she was honest but that was the most blatant one I think I’ve faced.”

15. Favorite moment of the year?

”My cousin got married.”

16. Worst moment of the year?

”Everyone’s least favorite... Covid.”

17. If you could work with any photographers, who would they be?

”Karl Darcy/Exquisite Eye”

18. What was your favorite part of our shoot?

”Definitely the hotel, it was beautiful and the people who were living in the motel were so funny.”

19. What is your ultimate goal in modeling or life in general?

”I would like to get signed and use my platform to promote environmental issues and sustainable fashion”

20. Is there anything you’d like people to know?

”We need to make people aware of the socioeconomic inequality that corona has brought to light. For example the neighborhood I live in has a 15 year higher life expectancy that a neighborhood 7 minutes away because they don’t have adequate resources.”
21. What makes you melt?

“Cute animals, my cat, someone bringing me food, and a man who can remember the little things about me.”