Meet "AJA": Model, Boxer, Entrepreneur

By Shamora Evans

SM: How long have you been modeling?

AJA: I’ve been modeling since about 2005. And, I started by just walking in to a model call at Fashion Week, in D.C., in 2005, and that’s how I got my start. It was actually a little scary being in front of all those people, but it worked.

SM: HAD YOU ALWAYS DESIRED TO BECOME A MODEL?

AJA: I never desired to become a model, it just kinda happened. But it worked, so I go with it. I’m, actually, working toward owning my own restaurant, and that is my one and only goal right now.

SM: WHAT DO YOU DO TO KEEP YOUR BODY IN SHAPE?

AJA: Box, actually! (Laughs) My boyfriend turned me into a MMA (mixed martial arts) freak, so I enjoyed watching the fighting techniques. I love boxing, and I work out on my arms a lot, and I pretty much keep my body in the same shape. I just do a good core workout because weights will damage you…It’ll cause your breasts to get smaller and turn them from fat to muscle.

SM: What do you do when your not modeling?

AJA: I’m an entertainment talent manager. I manage a couple people, but I stopped for a while to take care of my restaurant business. But, anything as far as entertainment goes, I’m pretty much in it, as far as what’s going on in Baltimore.

SM: WHAT DO YOU LIKE THE MOST ABOUT MODELING?

AJA: Getting to dress up and dress out, and put make-up on, and be half-naked with an excuse! (Laughs) The things you can’t wear out in public, you get to wear in the photo shoot. And I really enjoy the traveling and making money.

SM: WHAT DO YOU LIKE THE LEAST?

AJA: You always gotta make sure you look good, and it kinda sucks. I have this thing where I refuse to walk out the house to go to the trash because someone might see me out there, and you always have to look
good.

SM: WHAT PHOTOGRAPHERS HAVE YOU WORKED WITH?

AJA: I’ve worked with a photographer from “SHM”, and I have a photo shoot today, actually, with a photographer named Joseph Outlaw. I’ve also worked with photographer and fashion designer, Victor Hou, and he does a lot of photography at a lot of fashion shows.

SM: DO YOU HAVE ANY HOBBIES YOU ENJOY DOING IN YOUR SPARE TIME?

AJA: I paint when I’m bored, and I love cooking! I am a cooking fanatic, I definitely love to cook. Honestly, though, all I’ve been doing for the last few years is working my butt off. I love animals; I love playing with animals, but that’s about it.

SM: HOW CAN YOUR FANS KEEP UP WITH YOU?

AJA: Well, they can definitely use your magazine to contact me, or they can use my MySpace page, MySpace.com/ajaart.