Jedi Junior Ali

BMW: Jedi... So who's Jedi?
Jedi: I'm Jedi Ali... an up and coming model/actor/recording artist and also a YMCA qualified fitness instructor and community sports leader. I'm 6ft 2 inches tall with black hair and brown eyes. I'm from South London... born and raised in Lambeth (Peckham) but I have moved around a lot.

BMW: Whats the story behind the name "Jedi"? Are your given names really Jedi Ali?
Jedi: My mum named me Jedi... There's no big story behind it. But I was always the "warrior" that had a different outlook on life and I'm always being accused of playing mind games too! So I guess I've grown into a real Jedi!

BMW: How hard is it to get assignments as a male model? Can you give us some comparison with the female models?
Jedi: I don't find it too difficult to get assignments as a man in the industry but there is definitely a higher demand for women. I guess the ladies are just more attractive and marketable.

BMW: List a few of your top accomplishments as a model.
Jedi: In my short time as a model I have been blessed with some really big opportunities. A few that stand out to me are Black Butterfly Talent and Fashion Extravaganza. This was an event for black history month that was hosted by Kat and filmed by Mtv. Another memorable event was Alexanda Longe's spring/summer launch at the executive designers luxury home in Essex. Also being a part of the "Best of Nigeria" Nigerian Expo at the Excel in Docklands was a real privilege because I got a chance to meet some very important/influential people plus it was very inspirational seeing my fellow Nigerians filled with so much pride and passion for their country and Africa as a whole.

BMW: You are also an upcoming hip hop recording artist. Which comes first? Modeling or Hip Hop?
Jedi: To be honest I love modeling but music is in my blood! Modeling helps your confidence & allows you to acquire more of a presence under the spot light so I feel like the two go hand in hand. I'm enjoying both modeling and music especially as the borders between the two are slowly becoming more blurred!

BMW: How did you and your group, Ghetto Born Hustlers (GBH) manage to sell 1,000 copies of your cd "Bred in Captivity" in just two days?
Jedi: GBH sold so many cds in a short space for two reasons. One, I hit the streets with my cds in a bag and "pushed" them. Two, we are very talented.

BMW: Tell us about some of the acting you have been doing? Any big names yet?
Jedi: The acting is something I cant discuss in much detail because everyone is so secretive about new projects. All I can say is I have a lot of major roles in the pipeline so look out for Jedi in 2009!