The Tribune

By ALESHA CADET

Tribune Features Reporter

acadet@tribunemedia.net

IN a competition with 24 women from across the Caribbean, Bahamian model Kendra ‘KayGeni’ James said she was forced to believe in herself and appreciate her uniqueness.

Looking for what producers called the “it factor” to take on global runways as the Caribbean’s Next Top Model (CNTM), the televised reality show reached out to Kendra for an audition.

The one hour show debuted on February 18 to promote 11 episodes, on various Caribbean TV stations. The show is still airing. It is the regional franchise of the internationally acclaimed Next Top Model series by American Tyra Banks.

“The competition helped me realise how much I appreciate the person I am. In a situation where your being compared to other women constantly, it can be easy to feel self-conscious, but I was able to appreciate more so my uniqueness,” said Kendra.

Kendra said she can’t recall how she initially found out about the show, but once she received the call to join the cast, she thought “oh my goodness this is crazy.”

“Being part of the Caribbean’s Next Top Model was an amazing experience. I got to travel to the beautiful island of Trinidad. It was like living a dream. While there I not only learned so many things about myself, I gained friendships that will last forever,” said Kendra.

The best advice Kendra said she received while on the show, was to just believe in herself and what she has to offer. “I’ve learned to embrace every single thing about me, good and bad. My flaws are part of what makes me, me,” she said.

Offering her own advice to Bahamian women, Kendra said nothing is impossible once you believe in yourself.

“I feel like once I set a goal for myself and accomplish it, anything negative that was directed towards me doesn’t matter. My first priority is to make myself proud and I believe anything you do should be done for you first and no one else. Don’t try to live up to anyone else’s expectations but your own,” said Kendra.

Apart from Caribbean Next Top Model, Kendra said she has also had the opportunity to participate in a number of international competitions including Miss Teen World in Australia, and The Launch showcase in Nashville, Tennessee.

Since CNTM, Kendra said she’s been working on her music career. She said she has been singing for much longer than modelling, but her modelling career took off out of nowhere, and that is what she is mostly known for.

“I’m still modelling, but I’m focusing a lot more on my other passions. I started a clothing line called Thatch Collections and will be having my first official show with six other fabulous women on April 27 at Grey Cliff. I also sing every night at the Unwind Cafe Down town with my band “Cloud 9.” I love being on stage and performing, it’s where I’m most comfortable. I’m currently working on a single to be released this summer,” said Kendra.

People can look out for Kendra for the remainder of the year, as she works on establishing herself as an artist. “My goal this year is to express myself artistically and to continue to push myself to the top,” said Kendra.