We were lucky to catch up with Amoi Smith recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Amoi, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?
Coming from a mother who raised five children alone, I knew that I would always have a strong character. Watching my mom do so much on her own, made me realize how important it was to push through life, even when the odds are against you. Her resilience built her such a beautiful life, and in my adult years, I’ve just strived for that more than anything! I grew up with a very “glass half full” mentality, because my mom never let me see the struggle. She never let me see her pain. All I ever saw was my funny, kind-hearted, feisty mom. To grow up and truly understand how hard she worked to mask the negativity from me and my siblings—man that’s something I can’t even put into words. I really owe my mom everything! She has built such a FIRM foundation for me to be the positive, hardworking, resilient woman that I am today.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I have been modeling for the last three years, and model coordinating for a little over a year now. Modeling has quickly turned into a creative outlet for me, while coordinating allows me to help others fulfill their creative visions. Both jobs have been more rewarding than I could have ever imagined !
I began modeling after being discovered on Instagram in 2022. My following wasn’t high, and modeling wasn’t something I had ever thought of before, but I took a leap and it ended up changing my life forever. I started modeling for an agency in Florida and the DMV area, before leaving my agency and doing freelance. Since I’ve started freelance, much of my work has been located in the New England area, though I still love to travel. I have experience in many different styles like boudoir, fashion, catalog, editorial, runway etc. My goal is to become well rounded in most categories.
Model coordinating is fairly newer to me than modeling itself, though it’s the calling I never knew I needed. It all started when my friend Deandre told me about his plans to put on a music festival/fashion show, in 2024. He was in need of someone to help choose models, coordinate communication with them, and help out with rehearsal and fittings the day of. I never knew that me agreeing to do it, would turn into what it is today. A little over a year later, and what Deandre has named “Vlush Fest” has taken us to multiple cities, multiple states, over the course of 10 shows! We have bought so many musicians, models, designers and vendors together, to create these amazing shows, that broadcast the incredible talent in these cities! The family that has been built through this production, will always hold an incredibly special place in my heart and soul. We all created something beautiful from a dream, from a vision. Nothing is more powerful than that! Other than Vlush Fest, I’ve coordinated a few other fashion events, as well as music videos. Like modeling, I don want to become well rounded in coordination as well.
With that being said, watch out for the next Vlush Fest show, coming in the beginning of 2026! And be sure to book me for any of your model or model coordinating needs! I’m here and ready to work with anyone who is ready to take their vision off of paper. The power of creation is IMMENSE, and we should all be feeling it, in abundance!
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
This is a tough question but for me, the three main things that got me here were: my unrelenting positive outlook on everything, my sociability, and my persistence. Going into this world, I didn’t know much of anything, aside from what I saw on television. And even that personification felt false once I started my journey. I knew that I would have to rely heavily on my morals and the characteristics that make me who I am. I always go into everything with my most authentic self, and this was no different. I applied for gigs that I didn’t always get, but I never let that dim my shine or slow my hustle. I kept positive and knew that God would open doors that I never even knew existed. The sooner you adopt a glass half full mentality, the quicker you will see your blessings come to fruition. I made sure I got to know people. I put myself in rooms with strangers, just so that I could network and learn. It helped me meet some of my closest friends today. Go to events, make it priority to meet new people. It takes knowing the right people to open the right doors. And I never stopped! I kept “the sky is the limit” mentality and just went with it. Once i have an idea in mind, i have to execute it. It might be today, tomorrow, next month or even next year, but it has to happen for me. Persistence is really the key, because so much in life will try to push you to quit. You have to have that drive built into you to see past all of that and succeed. Knowing that you’re the only one that can change your life, will push you to do things you never thought you could!
Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?
When I think back on my success thus far, I always think about the people that helped me get here. My foundation will always be my family. My mother, my sister, and my brothers. They really do keep me going everyday with their words of encouragement and their guidance. They all want to see me live out my dreams and having them there rooting me on has been more than beneficial to my success. Now to the family I created, my old manager King, my friends Marques, Deandre, Dominique, Jayke, Tyler, and Akeem. To know them has been to know genuine love and support through this journey. I really could not have done half of the things I have done in the modeling industry, without them in my life! I really do owe them more than they will ever know. Marques has been there for me from the beginning, and we have grown together as creatives, one project at a time. Deandre and Dominique have been integral to my career as a model coordinator, as they have trusted me with the title of “model coordinator” for their fashion show “Vlush Fest”. Tyler, Akeem and Jayke have been an essential part of my support system. From helping me choose photos for edits, to making sure that I always remember my worth and purpose, they have helped keep me grounded in so many ways. I truly thank anyone that I have worked with, collabed with or interacted with in a positive manner, during this journey. I have learned from every experience and it has made me the creative that I am today
Contact Info:
Image Credits
Mjhproductions
Rnphotos
Harpeet
Light living media
508visuals
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