Kendra Bailey says the trick to Instagram stardom is patience
Kendra Bailey (@_kendrabailey) has the kind of ambition a girl needs if she wants to make a name for herself. She’s only 19 years old and she already has almost 100,000 followers, but that didn’t happen overnight.
“I’m from Minnesota so getting to where I am wasn’t the easiest, and I still have more work to do,” Kendra told Galore. “I gained a following on social media first by posting a lot of pictures in outfits and styles I thought represented me. More and more people started to like the content I posted and my following has grown ever since.”
For this Q&A I really wanted to focus on how she came to be in her position. For all you influencers out there with the same goal, listen up.
What tips can you give to aspiring models?
It can take a little while to get to where you want to be, so if you’re passionate about it you have to be patient with the results. Find some photographers near you or even grab your phone and have your mom or dad take some pictures for you. You gotta start somewhere. You’ll meet cool people that want the same things as you along the way and it will get easier and more fun.
Who is your biggest inspiration in the industry?
That’s a hard question because I’m inspired by so many and it’s hard to choose just one. I am inspired by Zendaya, Rihanna, Zoe Saldana, Yara Shahidi, Taraji P. Henson, Naomi Campbell and so many other beautiful successful women. They’ve taken on multiple platforms with confidence and poise, which is something I’d love to do myself and I respect them so much for it.
Was there ever a time you second guessed modeling?
Of course. I’m not the tallest. I’m 5′ 6.5″, and agencies wouldn’t even look my direction because they see my height written on a piece of paper and have the front desk attendant turn me away without even checking me out.
I would get discouraged at first and was close to just settling for less but I knew I had what it took to do what I want to do in modeling and it doesn’t require me to be 5’10”, and knowing that I didn’t let it get to me. I know I have a dope aura and energy I give off, that will lead me in the right direction. Rejection is something I’m not scared of the least bit anymore. I want what I want and I’m going for it.
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What is your everyday glam routine? What can’t you leave the house without doing?
I’m more of a natural kinda girl. Light foundation I really like Urban Decay naked skin, to even out my skin tone. Some lip gloss clear usually or a tint of brown, and a little mascara, L’Oreal Paris telescopic will do it for me. Mascara is a must I feel naked without it.
What are some of your favorite activities you like to do when you need an escape from pressures?
I like to get in touch with my creative side. I enjoy painting, drawing and trying different mediums. I want to learn how to spray paint soon for sure. Listening to 90s R&B keeps me calm or a little Riri to bring out the bad bitch side of me. And naps, naps are life.
As a model I’m assuming you workout and try to maintain a healthy lifestyle. What are the most crucial things you include into your everyday routine to accomplish this?
I do! I made a habit of eating healthy when I was younger because I actually kind of enjoy it. Of course, I eat some unhealthy stuff every once in awhile especially when traveling. All those new food spots are tempting lol.
But I also do some forms of working out for example, I naturally am just a speed walker when ever I’m out and about, it’s kinda funny to see in person, swimming is a more fun way to exercise, I tried surfing the other day and my arms were so sore, or I just do some core workout like crunches and sit-ups to one of my favorite songs till the end. I try to make it easier and not so much a chore.
What kind of modeling do you see yourself doing in the future? Who’s your dream catwalk?
I’d love to be a part of campaigns for high fashion street wear like Off-White, Yeezy, Fenty Puma. I’d also love to get into beauty and makeup, and even fitness like Nike and Adidas. I’m very versatile so I feel like I can be apart anything. I actually would want to act in movies more than anything. My dream catwalk like any other girl would be Victoria’s Secret.
Photography by Pierre York
