Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Malik Anderson. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Malik , we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?
When I think about who I am now at the age of 20 versus who I was 5 years ago, let alone 10 are two very different people. I’d think little me would be extremely proud of who I am now. When it comes down to developing my self confidence and self-esteem, I’d put that credit in the hands of the amazing people who I call family, Savage Inc. Models. While attending South Gwinnett High school, I wasn’t always the most confident or outspoken individual. I was very shy and timid, even post-graduation. While preparing to attend Savannah State University, my best friend, Emari Eakins who is a year ahead of me and had already experienced her freshman year, was preparing me to become a model. Emari who already went through her audition process to become a model now wanted me to join the organization upon my arrival to the campus. Once I actually made it to campus, she introduced me to the general body members and some Executive Board to get acquainted with as September needed to come before the audition process began. I began to befriend a lot of people as well as gaining attention from others on the campus for simply being around certain people. During my personal audition process, I admired the fact that I was around such like-minded people who all found joy in similar things that I low-key and then grew to have major interest in. And it was something as simple as getting dressed, looking cute, and walking up and down a runway. I grew so invested into wanting to become a member that I stayed up until 3am the night before auditions running through my audition walk repeatedly. Little did I know, I’d make model walking a lifestyle, an outlet, a hobby. With a good spirit and persistence, I surely became a member in September of 2023. From there I would grow to meet so many creative masterminds like Jazm’yn Ragin, Meleana Fields, Jamaica Williams, Giovanni Monroe, & Deontrè Spivey who all helped me gain my model presence, creative & innovative mindset, and have helped me turn some opportunities into realities. These people inspired me to come out of my comfort zone in terms of being able to publicly perform, and overall learning how to take on the persona of what and who I am trying to embody when it comes to a photoshoot or a runway show. From my first on-campus show I was able to later experience walking at New York Fashion Week 2024 and be on a main stage with other creatives, models, photographers, and designers. I was blessed with the chance to walk not once but twice for USAMAGNOLIA and Hopkins Beauty Solutions. I’ve also been able to become a Brand Ambassador for the clothing line Privilege Closet owned by Davonte Walls who I’ve done photoshoots for. These experiences have led me to take initiative and bring my won creative ideas to life. Part of how I market and brand myself is by trying to once a month create a photoshoot concept and post a shoot to my social media. I’ll collaborate with other photographers and/or business owners and see in what way we could all collectively benefit and network from working with each other. Working the way that I do and receiving the positive feedback that I do let’s me know that not only is what I’m doing recognized, but I’m also letting people know it’s okay to be different and to step outside your comfort zone. It’s also nice to know that I could be potentially inspiring other people especially young Black males. After walking at NYFW, I then came back to campus and jumped into another audition process for another modeling organization called Aesthetically Black Inc. founded by Rodrich Parham Jr. and Demichael Sterling. It’s safe to say that Savage Inc. Models and it’s runway and print services definitely set me up and paved the start to me finding my purpose in modeling as well as helping my confidence reach it’s all time high while opening doors for me in the process. The confidence that my organization built in me also inspired me to take on other business ventures as well as I started my own piercing business as well called LocStarPiercings. I’ve always loved piercings as a teenager and currently have a total of 12. My piercings have always stood out when I model and I take pleasure in performing piercings as well so with that knowledge I made it a business venture as well. Overall, through the support of my best friend, and acquainting such amazing people, Savage Inc. is what began to boost my confidence and self-esteem, while helping me find my purpose which turn out to be modeling. I aspire to continue modeling and grow a career in creative production.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
As of now my brand is built on networking. Being a model, especially an aspiring model is about making connections. The goal of course is to get signed and paid to travel the world of course, but there must be a stomping ground. As of now my goals are to meet and collaborate with as many people as I can to widen my portfolio for the modeling scene. Aside from doing piercings, professionally I am a Mass Communication major at Savannah State with aspiring goals of working in film & production, social media management & marketing, and creative production. Though it may sound like a lot, what I enjoy the most about being a Mass Communication major is that skills you learn are extremely versatile and we talk about things in modern everyday life. We are always in the know as Mass comm majors and things are always changing so it personally keeps me on my toes while always being able to find multiple sources of income through the media.
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?
The three most important qualities I feel as though were impactful on my journey would be being eager to learn, attentiveness, and consistency. Good listening would get thrown in there as well if we could do a bonus quality. When starting out in the modeling world or the entrepreneurship world in general, you have to be willing to learn because in entrepreneurial fields your audience is subject to change and you have to know how to adapt. That also plays a role into good listening and being attentive. Consistency is a given. You have to be consistent in order to believe in your brand and if you don’t believe in your brand first, then nobody will.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
I am always looking to partner and/or collaborate with people. As a model I am always looking for photographers, fashion designers, show hosts, creative directors, etc. Though it is hard sometimes while being in college, I’m always looking for opportunities to do shows, photoshoots, and become someone’s brand ambassador. To connect with me my instagram is @locstarleek and my business email is [email protected]
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://linktr.ee/locstarleek&ved=2ahUKEwiOhI3L0vOKAxWMQTABHXKTNwAQFnoECCgQAQ&usg=AOvVaw2WLsQivg0SimY1LnBeBpwT
- Instagram: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.instagram.com/locstarleek/&ved=2ahUKEwiOhI3L0vOKAxWMQTABHXKTNwAQFnoECCAQAQ&usg=AOvVaw0dzHjo7cxX28xk6IjoCDzn
Image Credits
All images were taken by either (mentioning instagrams):
@ceogallery
@snappinwitken
@m.m.perspective
@untitl3d_imag3s
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
