Siege Magazine: First of all thank you for taking out the time to talk with us today We have been watching you for a while, and you are definitely on your grind. When did you start modeling?  

Alesha: I started modeling 10 years ago in 1999… but I didn’t take it seriously until 2003... so I guess I can say almost 7 years now.

Siege Magazine: Tell us a little about where you are from and your background. Are you modeling full time, in school, working?

Alesha: Well...I am from Atlanta. This is where I grew up as a teenager and adult, but I was born in Wayne, Michigan and I moved around a lot as a kid. Atlanta has always been home. I went to college at The University of West Ga and got a degree in marketing and mass communications. Ever since then I left school and I've been working in the marketing field. I currently do promotional and brand marketing for hundreds of companies in the city of Atlanta and nationwide. I work for myself full- time as an independent contractor. Modeling came along with the territory and I do that as well whenever the opportunity presents itself.

Siege Magazine: So what type of model would you consider yourself? Print,commercial, promotional?

Alesha: I would consider myself to be a print, promotional, and commercial model. I am very versatile. I can do it all (with the proper training of course). I never put a limit on what I can do.

Siege Magazine: Who are some of your favorite designers and photogs?

Alesha: My favorite designers are: Viktor & Rolf, Chanel, Dolce&Gabanna, Prada, Gucci (when Tom Ford was the main designer) just to name a few. My favorite photographers are the ones I’ve worked with in my career, Derek Blanks, Drexina Nelson, Gary Mccuthions, Martin Dysdale, Ralph Lenard, Shawn Dowdell, Charlie Langela, Treagan, Sharod Simpson, and the many other photogs that believed in me.

Siege Magazine: What models have inspired you to do what you do?

Alesha: The model that has inspired me to do what I'm doing now is Tyra Banks. She is the epitome of “endurance and persistence” she has totally inspired me to never give up no matter what the obstacles are and to work hard to earn your keep in the industry. I'm far from what she is, but I love what she stands for and I love the fact that she is a hard worker like myself.

Siege Magazine: You seem to always be on the go from promotions to calendars to magazines…it seems like jobs stay coming in for you.

Alesha: Yes, I stay on my grind! I believe I am blessed to do what I love and not have to punch in and out for work. I can work when I choose, and choose to work all the time. I work in Atlanta, which seems to be a marketing sees pool. There is always an event in this city that needs people to market, the new soda, cell phone, energy drink, makeup, video game, etc. I love the fact that I don’t have to seek out work, the work finds me.

Siege Magazine: How do you organize it all do you have management?

Alesha: I do it all myself. Although I am signed non-exclusively to many agencies here in Atlanta, I have never had a manager. I type up all of my agreements, I read all my contracts, and I do all my own negotiations. I secure my own gigs/jobs/modeling jobs. Sometimes it gets a lil hectic at times but I've done quite alright these past 7 years with out one, so i’m good for now.

Siege Magazine:  What are your thoughts on the “Atlanta Modeling” Scene/industry?

Alesha: Hmmm- this question is an interesting one, well- my thoughts on the Atl modeling scene is that it’s over saturated with real models and aspiring models. I believe it is what you make it. I cant worry about what others are doing or try to compete with the “new hotness” or go to every casting and photo shoot I see. I gotta stay in my own lane and look out for Alesha. The scene in Atlanta is full of smoke and mirrors at times. But if you’re professional, carry yourself like a lady, have a hustler’s mentality, and know how to build business relationships, You will get to the companies that are legit and you will last in the industry scene down here. But in atlanta, it’s really training grounds for the real industry, which is New York and LA.

Siege Magazine: Do you feel that most models are stereotyped based off of their looks alone?

Alesha: Yes most definitely! I think most models get a bad wrap just because they are beautiful, it’s a gift and a curse. It seems like the urban industry wants you to be Oprah and Mother Teresa but have a phat ass, little waist and big titties (laughs) You can't make everyone happy, you gotta make yourself satisfied first then satisfy the masses.

Siege Magazine: You are one of our favorite brown skin beauties…do you feel that the industry is biased towards “lighter” models and that larger amounts of opportunity are given based on skin tone?

Alesha: Awwww really?! why thank you very much (smiles) Well I do feel that the urban industry is a little biased towards lighter skinned models. Mainly because of the stereotypes black people have ordained on ourselves. Dark is bad and light is good. This has got to stop! They want to use the term “exotic” in castings and I think it’s racist within our own community. Last time I checked, I am exotic! I’m a beautiful african-american woman! My features are just a beautiful as a brazilian, italian, mexican, caucasian, or asian woman. It’s not fair for the industry to look at darker skinned women and say we don’t fit the part for a certain video or photo shoot and the artist is just as brown skinned if not darker than me! What kinda sense does that make?! (laughs) Then I look at the cover of Vogue or Elle and Alek Wek (famous african-supermodel) is on the cover. If we are good enough for vogue, we should be good enough for the local rapper down the street video.

Siege Magazine: We all have our haters, how do you deal with the negativity that may be thrown at you?

Alesha: I'm not like most people, although I am strong, I'll be honest, I'm defensive and sensitive, those things I will work on in the coming year. (laughs) I attack the haters right back! I won't let anybody down me. I know people are entitled to their opinions, but you gonna hear mine just like I heard yours too! (laughs)I work hard doing what I do and I will always strive for better and to be the best I can be. I’m learning to get tougher with time with all the haters around. Nobody is perfect, but I guess if you got haters talking then you must be doing something right- right?!

Siege Magazine: Who has given you the most support?

Alesha: My friend Sean Rush (with kiss magazine) has been one of my biggest supporters. he is always keeping me positive and has my back in every situation and he is supportive like family. He’s an amazing person inside and out. My other biggest supporter is my best friend Khalil Draper. He has been in my life for the duration of my entire career and he’s seen me at my highest and at my lowest. He gives me the best pep talks and the best male advice a girl could ask for. Just like Sean, Khalil is truly a blessing in my life because he’s helped me to be come a better me and helped me see the greener side of the grass.

Siege Magazine: What is your ultimate goal in life, and what are you hoping to attain?

Alesha: My ultimate goal in life is to become an empire such as Tyra, Kimora, and Oprah. I want my own jewelry, perfume, and lingerie line. I hope to own my own marketing company as well by 2011 and market my own products. I am hoping to obtain happiness, peace within myself and a better relationship with God. I can only take my life one day at a time and make the best of every situation, as I see fit.

Siege Magazine: What would you want out readers to go away with knowing about you?

Alesha: I would like to thank Siege Magazine for taking the time out to feature me! Please check me out in the 2010 Sea grams Gin calendar and I am Miss September representing the city of Detroit, and if you would like to reach out to me, hit me on twitter.com/aleshabell or check out my website www.aleshapaulette.com

Peace and blessings to you all in 2010 & beyond.