Tiana Ettienne

BMW: Tiana Ettienne, readers would love to know about your background and how you found yourself modeling.

Tiana: Well, I was born and raised in London, UK with a Jamaican and Grenadian heritage. My mum's family is from Jamaican and my dad's family is from Grenada. I'm sure I was born to be in front of the camera or to be in the arts and entertainment industry.

Modeling has always been something I wanted to do. I thought I wanted to model from the age of around 15 but then... I saw some recent pictures of me dressing up in my mum's clothes at the age of 5 and posing for the camera. I think I was destined for it. So from the age of about 15 or 16 I just started to do photoshoots for a portfolio and it just started from there really.

It was definitely in my dreams to model, from a young age. Loved being in front of the camera. I think it definately runs in the family.

BMW: Cool stuff... So we heard Tiana has got extra skills.. Tell us about them.

Tiana: My extra skills... Well I can play the piano, flute and saxophone. The piano being my main instrument though. I started playing at the age of 7. I'm terrible because I have not actually played for years since I went to university, but I am sure I can pick it up again. I do love the saxophone... It's a very sexy instrument.

BMW: In 2003, you reached the Miss Jamaica UK finals and in 2006, the Miss London finals, how did that make you feel? How far did you get in both pageants?

Tiana: Yes, I reached the Miss Jamaica UK finals and to be honest I did get through to the finals but did not go to the finals. I just felt that the pageants were just not for me at that point in time. I did not have the confidence to go walk on stage and parade myself in front of all those people like that. I am a pretty shy person... or... well I was very shy... lol. The Miss London finals was definitely an experience I will never forget. I got through to the finals and the whole experience was quite surreal. I did gain a lot of confidence doing this pagaent even though I came in the top 50 out of over hundreds that actually applied. I knew competing with 49 other girls on stage would be hard but I gave it my best.

BMW: During your university days, how was it mixing modeling with studying given the fact that you managed to earn yourself a BA Publishing and Media with Journalism and Communications 2006.

Tiana: Modeling was not really my priority when I was at university. I was concentrating on my studies so I took a bit of time out. I decided to make more of an effort with my modeling after university. Education is important. Very cliche but true.

BMW: Take us through your usual daily routine...

Tiana: Now this is a difficult question as my day differs everyday. I have a daily workout at first and then I do the whole model thing... go to castings, apply for jobs. I am also working on an event management business too, which is keeping me very busy at the moment. I am also a family person, so I like to go visit family when I can.

BMW: How tough is the modeling/fashion industry in London?

Tiana: Modeling and the fashion industry is very hard in London. Being a model of colour makes it twice as hard but we just have to keep pushin through. I'm constantly told that I'm too curvy or "fat" as they like to say or I'm not unusual-looking enough, which I took as a compliment. I will never change myself for the industry as much as I like to model. I love my food for starters :-).

BMW: What are you known for in the industry?

Tiana: I am definitely known for my legs. They are quite long. I think I am also known for my easy going nature as well.

BMW: What have been your accomplishments so far and what projects are you partaking at present?

Tiana: One of my accomplishments so far was to travel to Canada and doing some modeling out there. That was definitely an experience and one that I would do again if given the chance. My accomplishments vary in different ways, I think just being given the opportunity to do catwalk shows is something that I personally wanted to do is an accomplishment.

I am currently starting my own event management business along with another partner. I am also doing ongoing modeling and promoting for various magazines and companies. Now I'm just waiting for that 6 figure contract...lol.