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Interview with Alexcina Brown: a Free-Spirit Creator & Model

“I wanted to use my expertise in marketing and business to help educate indie and aspiring artists. ” – Alexcina Brown


Alexcina, how would you briefly introduce yourself to our readers? Macon, GA native, now residing in New York City. All in all, I consider myself a “Creator”. I don’t like to place one specified label on myself. Under that creative umbrella, I am a print model, actress, author, and editor-in-chief of a digital entertainment publication. Each endeavor allows me to create, whether I’m developing a story or a character to portray.

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What motivates you to get out of bed in the morning? COFFEE! Lol. But the best thing that gets me out of bed is the new adventures of the day. I LOVE walking down the New York streets, getting emails filled with opportunities, and the joys of creating something new.

What personal trait has gotten you in the most trouble? Being a free-spirit and a risk-taker. I don’t go with the flow and I enjoy creating my own way. However, in my personal life, it is best to stand back and take advice of others who’ve had similar experiences. In business, it’s good to take risks because if failure comes, there’s always another door. But in real life, taking huge risks can be very costly.

What is the most courageous thing you have ever done? Move to New York from Georgia. It’s not that common where I’m from and I did it by myself, with no job offer nor a lot of money. I needed to start over from having to rebuild, so I took a chance during a time in life where most are settled or in the process of settling down in “adult” life (whatever that means lol, usually marriage, kids, home ownership, etc.).

model authoer writerWhat is your favorite or most exciting aspect about being a model? My favorite aspect would be the different looks I am able to achieve. Whether I am developing my own concept or working with a great team, I love the transformation into a different layer of myself.

What are your best beauty secrets? Do you have any beauty / skin care tips or tricks to share? I LOVE to exfoliate. I try to do that as much as possible along with using face masks (charcoal, aloe, or witch hazel), lastly, collagen patches for under the eyes because I don’t get much sleep and I must control the puffiness (smiling).

Is there anything you would change about the modeling industry if you could? There are A LOT of things I would like to change. But the most important one would be the new-age idea that a model must be “social media” popular in order to get work. At times I tend to shy away from companies who are looking to models with a set number of followers and “fame” on Instagram and Twitter. To me, it shows the lack of marketing knowledge the company has. If you are building your brand off a model’s following, what is your marketing & branding department doing? Hmm…Just something to think about.

Looking back how has modeling experience changed your personal/professional life? Have you grown more comfortable with yourself since you have started? Personally, modeling helped become more comfortable in my skin. Growing up and even as a young adult, I would list so many things I wanted to change about myself. Now, I look at those “flaws” as qualities that give me character. Professionally, modeling changed my outlook on the importance of building and maintaining relationships.

You are a published author of several books. How everything started and what does it take to write and publish a book? Writing was always my first love (well, actually Prince was my first love (laughing). I’d write poems and short stories for school and leisure. My first book series, the Heartbreak Diaries, started with the idea of “checking myself” when it came to dating. I was unlucky and instead of constantly blaming the other person, I evaluated my role. So I thought to myself “Why not turn this ‘pain’ into profit, along with telling stories from the hearts point of view?”

One night I took out my laptop and started writing. It took about four and a half years to complete 6 books. Last year, I decided to move forward, and release them one by one as novella style books to develop the series, under the pen name “The Blakk Dahlia”. Being an indie author is hard work. You have to do everything yourself. I designed the cover, formatted it for amazon and other digital outlets. It took a lot of research, but luckily my friend is a published author, and she helped me along the way.

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Can you tell us a bit about your blogging experience? Where do you find your inspiration and how do you feel writing has empowered you? My blogging started when I worked for a financial company. I learned the ropes of blog writing and the logistics of uploading them online through working there. While writing I became bored with the subject matters. That boredom sparked the idea of me starting my own blog, BRASH! Since I have an MBA in Entertainment Management, I wanted to use my expertise in marketing and business to help educate indie and aspiring artists.

How did you become an editor in chief of BRASH magazine? What do you do and what is the magazine about? I started BRASH! Magazine through expanding the blog. I wanted to do more for independent artists by helping them build their exposure and press kits. The magazine highlights indie entertainment and fashion brands. Since I created the magazine, I took on the task as editor in chief. I develop, edit, design, market, and head the entire operation. I have writers on the team as well as outsource new and established writers, helping them to build their portfolio.

alexcina brown modeling

What would you say is the most rewarding and most challenging thing about being a magazine editor? Most rewarding is getting the positive feedback from artists who are grateful for our support. It’s a constant reminder that we are carrying out the mission of “Making Noise” for indie artists. The most challenging is juggling the publication with modeling, acting, writing books and the blog along with having a social life (whenever that time permits).

What advice would you give to someone who is considering becoming a blogger/writer? Live in your truth, walk in your truth, WRITE in your truth. Be personable, and don’t think you have to write in a certain “voice” to gain a following. Also, keep promoting yourself. Whether you’ve posted the same thing multiple times, find another way to make it creative and post it again. It’s important to reach as many as possible to share your writing with the world. Blogs are timeless, in my opinion, so don’t be afraid to reach into the vault and share.

Is there anything you would like to do in the future? Someone you would like to work with or something you would like to accomplish? For the future, I have my eyes set on Broadway. That is one of the reasons why I moved to NYC. I am working to get more theater work/experience under my belt along with networking with the right people to help me get there. But it will happen!

book authoer alexcina brown

Where can our readers keep up with your work and get connected with you? My official website: www.AlexcinaBrown.com | Facebook.com/AlexcinaBrown | Twitter: @TweetAlexcina | IG: AlexcinaB. You’ll find everything from my modeling to acting, BRASH! Magazine and writing work!

When you want to unwind, what are your favorite go-to activities? Watching Frasier, sleep, sitting in silence, and red velvet cupcakes. However, the only time I REALLY have a chance to unwind is on vacation (especially places with limited Wifi). I have no choice but to relax and just enjoy my surroundings. I recently visited Cuba and it was the first time I have truly stepped away from my work in YEARS!

What is something you would like to do but have not done yet? Business wise, I would like to create my own lipstick line with an established company. I LOVE putting on lipstick, mixing colors, so I would like to share my ideas. Also, I want to sky dive!

If you could say something to everyone on the planet, what would it be? Be fearless, Be bold, Be you! Stop trying to please everyone, you have one life. Don’t waste it by living according to “Society’s Rules”.

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What is something you want less of in your life? What about more of…? I would like less encounters with temporary people. Just stay away and save us both time. I want more hours in the day so I can squeeze in a good night’s rest.

One thing that you are obsessed with that people might be surprised to learn? I have just discovered a new obsession with tattooing deceased music icons on me. I’m only two in, with representations of Prince and Freddy Mercury, but I want more (smiling).

Thank you, Alexcina.


Published April 2019 Vol II: BUY NOW

 

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