Jasmine, please tell us a little about yourself and how you found yourself in the world of modeling.
JH: Ever since I was a teenager, I began to develop a love for fashion and expressing myself through it. This attracted a lot of attention and I found myself saying yes to every opportunity that came my way. School fashion shows, photo shoots for classes/projects. It all leads me to where I am.
How did you develop an interest in modeling, fashion, and expressing your sexuality through the camera lens?
JH: Growing up in a religious household, as a young woman I was conditioned to be ashamed of my body parts and anything sex related, I believe this led me to be authentic in my sexuality in my 20’s, as now I have the freedom to.
I’ve always admired glamour and a woman’s ability to harness her power through sexuality. I now have the freedom to choose what I wear and perceive my body any way I want, and a camera lens truly captures those liberating moments.
When looking for a photographer to work with, what do you look for that seals the deal and makes for the best work relationship?
JH: In any collaborative work, I admire mutual trust. We are helping each other therefore, being open to each other’s artistic input makes a fulfilling process. Also, work is work! Nothing is more annoying than a serious inquiry becoming something other than business. Be professional!
Being part of an industry, whose only emphasis is on the outside characteristics of a person, how have you stayed grounded?
JH: I know who I am. @crowned_by_curls is a character I’ve created to get the job done. She is helping me get to where I want to be in the business world. Nothing more. When I come home from work, I’m Jasmine and she is an actual person that I love, not just a character for the eyes of social media. I have many ways of staying grounded. But the key is mental stability and balance. I don’t get caught up in a fantasy of who I am because I know that no one truly knows me.
What do you like to do in your downtime?
JH: Rest would be a truthful answer. I believe in doing nothing as much as I have opportunity to. Laying on the beach, yoga, or a candle lit dinner. It’s those simple things in life that I love.
Do you think there is a lack of honest conversations around sexuality in our society? If everyone is having sex, why is it such a sin to talk about it?
JH: I absolutely think society could improve the way we talk about sex. There is way too much fear surrounding it. In my opinion, being afraid to talk about sex, is as silly as to being afraid to talk about eating! It’s a natural function that all of nature needs, to survive. And like anything else, we can improve the way we do it. The act of sex is not the problem. The over-sexualization and shame of our body parts is.
If someone wanted to seduce you, what would they need to do right?
JH: I’m the type of woman that enjoys good old-fashioned courting. Don’t be in such a rush to be intimate with me. Be gentle with your words, be gentle with your actions, be as confident and you as you can be, and stimulate my inner goddess by allowing me to have a choice.
Jasmine, what are your aspirations for your modeling career?
JH: I want to be a symbol for black girls across the world. Black women are elegant, dripped in gold, the source of abundance, the source of life. We are not the way some people have been conditioned to view us. So, I try to exhibit art that is symbolic of this perception.
Would you consider yourself a creative individual?
JH: My creativity is my favorite things about me. Not just in the way I look but, in my resourcefulness, and Problem-solving skills. Making something out of nothing is a fulfilling experience life has to offer.
What would you consider to be your greatest asset?
JH: My ability to articulate my thoughts. There’s a power in knowing what I want and then asking for it. Or rather, speaking up about anything on my mind. I know this is something I will never take for granted and there’s always opportunity to improve.
What brands do you aspire to work with in the future?
JH: High fashion brands! Black owned brands, all things glamorous! Gucci, Prada, and Fenty are only a few examples.
