Spring 2005; Interview by Chuck Holliday

She’s no stranger to the northeast audience familiar with exotic eye candy, as one of the East Coast’s biggest names, but among her peers in the modeling world, her status is sometimes overlooked for reasons that we are STILL trying to determine to this day. After virtually stealing the spotlight on a southern-based ethnic modeling promotion sometime ago, she has surpassed “the rookie watch” by going on to appear in various publications that can be picked up at your nearest newsstands. We caught up with Nef and got to see why men shouldn’t be so intimidated, and why NONE of the guys wanted to kick it with her in high school.

Congrats on the website launch. Let our viewers know about the grueling process that goes along with creating a presence and also gaining the trust of a team to promote and work with you.

It’s definitely been a grueling process. I’ve been modeling just over a year now and Nefertitionline.com has been there since day one. I was my own web designer because I have no patience and I knew that if I had a pro design my website for me, it would take months and I like results ASAP. If I decide that I don’t like my site’s color, I want it changed NOW not in 2 weeks or whenever someone else get around to it. I decided to take a chance with a friend of mine who works at B.E.T who’s a web designer. I love his work but it’s been very difficult working on someone else’s time. It’s been 3 months and the site is still not completed but I was like “Launch it now..I can’t wait any longer” and he did. We are still working on it and hopefully it should be completed soon. I am definitely learning to be patience though, even though it’s painful :=)

Yeah it’s hot, and it looks like it’s more of you the model than it is for its design and what not. Please break down your nationality – Syrian/Hindu/Black – a colorful mix.
My mom is half Syrian and half Hindu (Grandpa was born in Syria, grandma in India). My dad is straight black. At first when I started modeling I didn’t like people to know my nationality because I always hated it when people are like “I am 1/7th Irish and 1/15th Chinese” or something like. I think it is ridiculous and people should really be proud of who they are…If you are black, ain’t nothing better or more beautiful so you should feel proud. I decided to let my nationality be know because I think it’s a little obvious that I am not 100% black and people would ALWAYS ask. So I would say, “Im black but my mama is…” and then I was like forget it…This is what I am.

No doubt, that can be annoying with somebody naming about 10 different nationalities. So I know every girl alive in your high school had hate in their blood when it came to being around you. More than the looks, but you are also a cool babe as well. Describe your schoolbook days.
Its funny cause I was so not popular in high school. I was really skinny and dorky (I’m still kinda dorky…it’s part of my charm, lol). I got no love in high school. I was definately not ugly but I got no dates or was in the “in crowd”. I find it hilarious now when people see me and they are like “OMG…you look so great” and the same guys who I had crushes on NOW want to holla…Everyone is surprise that I filled out and that I am a professional model and that I make a living off of it.

Yup, sounds like the typical guy, haha. Enough of this modeling talk. Do you get hit on, like, every two seconds? You don’t have to lie.
I do, lol!!! that sounds so bad :=)

There’s nothing bad about it! I know some women who can’t get hit on if they paid the guy to. So I’m sure one of my viewers want to know – what could a guy legally do to make you want to pursue him?
To pursue a guy, lol, I think that he must have a great sense of humor and there must be something different, something special about him.

Do you have any quirks?
I don’t know if this is a quirk but I am a sci-fi junkies (Star trek…sci-fi channel stuff…I did mention that I was kinda dorkie right?)

Wow! That is a first, but I wouldn’t consider that dorky though, just more DVD’s to surprise you with. Please break down this whole theory about black women and why they intimidate black men, as well as scaring them off to go date another race. Why are black women so often intimidating in a relationship or dating situation?
I think that people preceive black women as being intimidating because we are. Black women are very strong and alot of men don’t know how to deal with it and that is why they go to other races to look for a more submissive woman (which is not always the case).

It sure does seem that way. At least they can’t say that all black women are out for their money because some of them make more money than the guys. So how do you stay so fit?
I am a vegetarian but I don’t work out (I know I need to). I HATE THE GYM!!!! I get tired just thinking about it, lol. I am blessed, so far, but I know that sooner or later I’m gonna have top drag myself there.

Well don’t go dragging yourself there just yet. How does it feel to know that you can turn men into starving dogs with one look?
Wow…it’s kinda unreal. Cause I’m just me. So its crazy to me to get fan mail and having over 2000 people in my fanclub. I’m like “I haven’t really done anything yet…and it’s even weirder when people I admire send me fan mail but I am getting use to it though, lol!!!

Obviously men will see you as “model” and not “Nefertiti” when approaching you, unless they clearly aren’t familiar with the urban fashion world. What mistakes do men make while they’re trying to get over on you?
Alot of men seem to think that because im a model I must be stupid (alot of guys think this of most models) but then I have to remind them that I have a BA in Art history AND History and that I did get accepted to grad school but turned them down. Most models out there (there are exceptions to every rule of course) have degrees and their own businesses and are some of the most intelligent people that you will ever meet. It’s a shame that we are usually faced with so many stereotypes of just being eye candy and nothing more.

True indeed. Lets say somebody is seriously blowing up (definition: constantly calling) your cell phone all day. What’s the best way to pluck an annoying dude off your radar without cursing him out?
Nefertiti: Oh, I’m quick to cuss someone out if they are disrespectful. If they aren’t, I’m always honest and just tell them the truth.

I hear ya! Models who are very close to the internet are often known for brushing off the supporters. Do you read your fan mail?
I try to answer every email that is sent to me. Sometimes it’s really, really overwhelming. I get about 1-2 dozen fan mail a day. Having to answer all of them plus all my other email is sometimes trying but I do it. I don’t answer emails though that are crazy or off the wall.

I can only imagine what they ask you, because they ask me wild questions and I only do the interviews! In closing, what was your strangest modeling gig?

Honestly I’ve been lucky so far (fingers crossed). I hear so many horror stories but I don’t have any of my own, thank goodness!!!! I’ve met so many pervs and shady people in this business though but I always know how to handle them. That is why I am very, very selective aabout who I work with. I don’t care who the person is, the project or the pay, if I get a bad feeling, I’ll always decline an offer immediately. I feel that it’s better to go with my gut than be sorry.