Next up to bat- a model that I have absolutely grown to love. Apart from modeling, this down to earth, open minded, unstoppable peace machine is an absolute, genuine friend of mine. On the down side of modeling you'll probably catch her gazed into the midst of her textbooks or maybe even rocking a pair of Air-Jordan's as she struts across New York City to the classic tunes of Mrs. Whitney Houston, one of her all time favorite artists. With her hair and facial features simply dawning as a beauticians dream, she sports a well crafted smile that is always crowned with a charm, clearly- it's heaven sent. If I had to choose adjectives that described her highest points they would be: Impeccable Spirit, that's a given. One thing will always stand, and it's that we're both ride or die together in this industry, self-proclaimed underdogs in our own right and are indeed Christian- YES I SAID IT--Christian Models whose accomplishments in this world would match up to a mere nothing without the lord!
The Damsel is quite sincere, yet straightforwardly as remarkable in appearance. She's the one and only: Minyoung Cheong.
Self-proclaiming modeling as, "her second nature" Minyoung is as charismatic and masterful as they come. When I think of Min, I feel a brush of emotions, all filled with understanding, encouragement
and definitely hope! She powers a vessel that burns bright and strides a flame that is extra full of value and righteousness. Just peep her smile, wouldn't you agree? Literally, she is one of the most grounded people that I have in my life and I truly do value our friendship. She sounds so perfect, huh? Well, she is far from it, she'll be the first to say. "We all have our dirty laundry." Minyoung admits. "It's just that I don't believe in letting dirty laundry air, because it'll cut you too short to shame. We all make mistakes, I just learn from mine." She added.
I met the young model a little over one year ago while we both freelanced through a start-up agency, "JG Model Management". As we bonded through jokes and our naturally silly nature, we instantly formed an aggressive pact to quote-on-quote, "Make it" whilst most refer to this terminology as simply reaching high-end success in our industry. Our brother and sister style alliance was to dawn shortly after. We've been through the same industry hustles, have identical story's of "The Photographer from Hell" and nonetheless, push for the same field of dreams every single day. Honestly, I have yet to meet anyone in this industry with as much drive and passion as I have in Minyoung- it is truly a rarity. Surely with the right push- I don't see anyone manager enduring hard persuasion within future bookings of this beautiful Asian.
I enjoyed a quick lunch with my model match, Minyoung at New York City's good ole Whole Foods in Union Square(yes we eat healthy, do you?). Our awkwardness eventually evolved into laughter as we drew towards the fact that we truly had to be serious with one another, all while my journalistic path went to work.
Mr. Triumph: So Minnie Min *I winked at her*, you always look so fly! Does anyone inspire your style?
Ms. Cheong: Thanks Tony, *She laughs* I wouldn't necessarily say that anyone inspires my style or anything, instead I just take in everything I see. I could be walking down the street in the city and if i see a cool pair of boots that someone is wearing, I just find them in a color that would compliment me. Same goes with tops, pants, dresses, and everything else. I get my sense of style from ads, bill boards, magazines, and just about everywhere that you see ad's. *She threw her hands up with laughter*.
Mr. Triumph: Mnnnnn, gotcha! So what inspired you to be a model?
Ms. Cheong: Most of my family and friends actually. It's funny, my dad is the minister of my church and he's the one who actually encouraged me the most. That was weird to me because a lot of Christians look down upon modeling as a form of self-degration but I had my familys support. It felt especially good to have that.
Mr. Triumph: Yea, trust me- I've had quite a few sketchy situations throughout modeling myself, so I know where all the assumptions come from. So what happened next?
Ms. Cheong: Yea, so I researched auditions. My first audition was for a Korean modeling agency where the winner got flown to Korea for representation with a top agency there. It was held here in New York. I didn't win though, I came in third place.
Mr. Triumph: Were they only looking for Korean models?
Ms. Cheong: Yea, they were.
Mr. Triumph: Ohhh, were you born here in New York?
Ms. Cheong: No, I was born in Korea actually. The country side. We moved here when I was 6 years old.
Mr. Triumph: Oh, interesting. What made your family decide to move you here when you were six?- Actually, what made them even move from Korea at all?
Ms. Cheong: It was mainly for a better education for my sisters and I. My father wanted to start a ministry here in New York so everything just seemed to fit into place so soon the whole family moved to New York.
Mr Triumph: Do you remember a lot about the move? Was it hard adjusting to life in a busy city like NYC, at such a young age?
Ms Cheong: Tony, I was so thrilled and excited to move here! But I was devastated to leave my grandmother behind by herself with my uncle who is mentally challenged. And I do try to call her a lot and visit Korea whenever I can because she is a big part of my life. It was a little difficult at first, being one of the few asian kids in school, but all the kids in my class were pretty nice to me. Learning the language was difficult too, but I eventually picked up on it.
Mr. Triumph: So what about the New York party scene? A lot of models get sucked-up into that, I even did- but I've noticed that you haven't been going out often. Whats up with that?
Ms. Cheong: Well Tony, there was a time where I was into the party scene but then I realized it wasn't the environment I wanted to be in. It's not something that God will be proud of and praise me for because in everything that I do I want to do it for the LORD. So yea, I don't go out and like party all wild and stuff but I do go out every once in a while if I feel like I'll get a lot of networking done. Thats because modeling is all about networking and meeting people that'll get you to places you want to go to, you know?
Mr. Triumph: Yes, I totally feel you. Who are your favorite designers?
Ms. Cheong: Hmmm, they would have to be Louis Vitton and Celestino. I say LV for the quality and distinctiveness and I say Celestino because I worked with him this past New York Fashion Week and his clothes were amazing! *She smiles*.
Mr. Triumph: Nice, nice! So I know that your between 5'7 and 5'8, and being that you've worked with both designers Jedda Khan and Celestino- I'm assuming that your height isn't really placing a burden on your career, right?
Ms. Cheong: Well actually it does sometimes. Like I remember when I walked into Elite models- the lady wouldn't even look at my book, she just looked at me and said, "Sorry, your too short.", but then there are designers and photographers who love my look so much that they don't even acknowledge my height.
Mr. Triumph: Are you currently represented by anyone?
Ms. Cheong: Well, yes but all of my contracts are non-exclusive so I mostly freelance. Technically I'm with Ikon Model Management, but they don't do absolutely anything for me! I'm also with Funny Face Today, thanks to you. *She smiles*
Mr.Triumph: Haha, yea I know- I remember the day that we just flat-out walked in like, sign-us!
Ms. Cheong: Haha, yea, but I am currently looking for a new beauty/fashion agency.
Mr.Triumph: Speaking of the word Icon, do you have any that you look up to?
Ms. Cheong: I do look up to angelina Jolie because she was a bad ass before and she totally changed into a completely different person, you know- always doing good deeds and stuff. That's so inspiring for someone like her to change for the better because it's not an easy thing to do. Aside from that she is an amazing model and actress.
Mr.Triumph: Very true. Anybody else?
Ms.Cheong: OH, I ALMOST FORGOT! *She yelled* I look up to LUCY LIU, because that woman is an Asian icon! She's amazing at acting and her martial art skills are sick!
Mr.Triumph: Oh yea, I always meant to ask you about that, Min. Aren't you like a black belt?
Ms. Cheong: Well, yea. I mean I started taking taekwondo when I was 12 years old. I decided to take it because I wanted to learn how to defend myself and I wanted to be the next Lucy Liu. *She laughts* So, I really got into it and ended up taking it for about 6 years. But I recently injured my back while I was sparing and I was forced to quit. So yea, I am a black belt considering that I passed the black belt test but I didn't recieve my black belt license or my black belt because I wasn't able to pay the $600 for it. That money would've had to come out of my own pocket and I didn't have that kind of money at the time so I just continued to train and practice because your true skill is what matters the most- not your rank or belt.
Mr. Triumph: So what else do you have in store for the world besides studying, kicking butt, and doing couture poses? *I laughed*
Ms. Cheong: Haha. Well I want my largest contribution to the world to be participating in mission trips to poor countries around the world. Hopefully, as I began to work more consisently as a model I will have a good amount of money. I want to travel because we don't realize how unfortunate those people are over there because we all live our lives without worry of not having food, shelter and clothes, you know? And, there are some who have not heard of Christ! So i feel it's very important for me to bring this contribution to poor countries around the world.
Mr. Triumph: What would you call your ideal dream job?
Ms. Cheong: Definitely the cover of Vogue.
Mr. Triumph: Where do you do you see yourself in 5 years?
Ms. Cheong: Well I will be done my degree in Communications, most definitely. I want to have a great loft in Manhattan and I want to be a classical music singer aside from modeling. A lot of people don't know that I have experience with singing. I've sung in Carnegie Hall and in Lincoln center.
Mr. Triumph: I didn't know you could sing, Minnie Min. * I winked at her* Do you wish to travel abroad?
Ms. Cheong: Yes I do. To Tokyo and Paris.
Ms. Cheong: Oh, gosh- what is it? Haha.
Mr. Triumph: Tell me all about this love life of yours. How do you balance him with modeling?
Ms. Cheong: You mean my relationship with my boyfriend? *She blushed* Well if thats what you mean, everything works out fine because he's in a similar situation as me, career wise, because he is attending NYU as a music major and wants to become a hiphop producer and a performer. He is amazing on the piano, especially at playing jazz. He's loving, kind, understanding and extremely supportive. And he always gives me advice when I need it, even in modeling. So, all-in-all he's pretty beneficial to my career.
~After our late lunch, we skidded off to Min's church for their youth night. While we were on the train, Min said something to me that I don't think I can ever forget: "Tony, God gave us a purpose in life. Our purpose is to be an understanding model- and while doing so, we've gotta have a positive influence on people and just spread the word of God."
***Bravo! ;-)
~Special Thanks to Minyoung Cheong for participating! Email: Minyoung1125@yahoo.com. Myspace: www.myspace.com/minyoung1125
~Are you a Painter? Model? Designer? Artist? Architect? Poet?---Better yet, do you have a well rounded, artistically inspired craft and just simply feel as though you would make a great candidate for a highlight on A Triumphant Discovery?--Don't be shy! Hit me up. This isn't a contest so don't feel like your being judged at all. Trust me, we all go through that enough! "She's a what!? He's a Who!?" Is an on-going segment that I am hosting and will highlight all of the above who are just so damned good at what they do, but simply don't always gain the recognition that they desire for their fine craft. Power to the under-dogs! "What creates any form of value to your stardom without a struggle?"-Tony T.
Shoot me an email me at: tonytdiscovery@gmail.com
~Shout out to my Godsister Anne Thomas who pinned and published my very first write-up! Check it out here: http://somuchglam.wordpress.com/2008/02/24/one-to-watch-tony-triumph/
~Thanks for tuning in, catch ya later.
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