Today we’d like to introduce you to Zenobia Wayne
Hi Zenobia, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My entire life, despite the many career paths I entertained, the only thing I was certain of was that I’d be a star.
I was born and raised in Houston, TX but moved to DC as an honors International Business student at Howard University in 2021. Fun fact: I’d wanted to study business at a fashion school, but my Mother wouldn’t allow a non-university degree. Once I got to campus, I was happily surrounded by fellow creatives but completely unsatisfied academically. Despite being involved on campus creatively and as a mental health advocate, I struggled to commit to the honors program and eventually left it for regular classes.
By late 2023, following more unhappy semesters, I made a decision to take a break from school to pursue the things I love and believe I can monetize—modeling and digital media creation. I told myself that if I could make the money I wanted *my way* in the next two years, I wouldn’t go back to school for business.
I invested in a six-month modeling development program with a mother agency that offered the service, wanting to spend my time productively rather than sitting around and waiting for replies to online applications. I won’t go into great detail, but I was thoroughly educated on the fashion industry and the complexities of the modeling profession during this time. Towards the end of the program, I was asked to sign with this agency and I accepted.
As a content creator, my follower count has been growing slowly. However, as a brand, my quality has drastically increased. I’ve landed collaborations with Mugler, Valentino, Marc Jacobs, and more. I genuinely love to create content and emotional connections, so I have been more long-game-focused. I keep in mind that I’m building a solid and relatable brand so there’s a foundation when I inevitably begin to gain traction.
While developing and growing my media, I work full-time as an associate for a private clubhouse owned by Chief, a private network for senior-level executive women.
I have the blessing of developing creatively while still engaging in a professional environment that strengthens me as a businessperson, making me a very particular type of artist—in a great way.
As a model, my goal is to dominate the commercial market to a point where I have an established brand and a steady stream of income. Eventually I’ll break into high fashion and open the door for other average-height models to walk high-fashion runways. I want to prove that size does not define talent and that when you’re good enough and work hard enough, the doors will be opened for you despite anything. I don’t plan on taking over the world, but I’ve always had a feeling that the world will one day know my name.
As a creator, my goal is for my brand to reach a point where I can continue to be a digital media strategist and create content from my life and brand collaborations while being paid handsomely. Because who doesn’t want to get paid to do what they love?
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
There is always a relative element of struggle involved as an artist who isn’t coming from presently-successful artists. Having an immediate family who doesn’t support your passions, not being taken seriously until you’re famous, not having a budget to fully and constantly immerse yourself in your dedication to art.
Being broke while having a passion that requires time frustrates me the most—the need to work to support yourself day-by-day while still making time to create and develop.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
As a model, there are layers to the level of modeling that I want to reach that require me to specialize in everything. I must be great at print and runway, commercial and editorial, dynamic posing and rigid portraits. However, if you ask what I’m most passionate about in the field, I’d say runway. I want to be known for my runway walk. Statistically speaking, my most famous works are the home studio shoots I execute with my lover—they consistently decorate my Instagram page.
I’m most proud of the work that I create with my peers and lover rather than my professional work with agency-tested photographers. When you’re a developing model, portfolio shoots are rather dull, in my opinion, as you have to stay simple to best portray a ‘blank canvas’.
I believe what significantly sets me apart from others is my undeniable raw talent as an unsigned model—not my words. I truly mean this from the most humble part of my heart: when you see my work and see my walk, you can feel that my success is inevitable.
As a digital creator, I create fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content for young students and creatives. I am known for my weekly “What I Wore to Work” series, in which I share the outfits I’ve worn to my job at the Clubhouse.
I’m most proud of the growth I have consistently shown in both my content execution and feed curation. Everything is well thought-out and thoroughly planned, and it is intended to be as authentic and relatable as possible.
My authenticity, I think, is what sets me apart as a creator. I am not focused on quick growth, following viral trends to increase my numbers, or posting things I don’t care about. I only give energy to things I feel passionate about creating, and it shows in my work whether it’s a brand collaboration or a simple outfit post with some thoughtful clothing advice.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
Funnily enough, as of this year, I’ve been traveling to Baltimore much more. My favorite thing is that the energy sometimes reminds me of Houston; everyone is easier-going and more friendly in Maryland than in DC. The bus drivers tell me to have a good day and be safe, and everyone nods on the street when you accidentally make eye contact. Hospitality is a core value for me, so this means a lot to me in a city.
As for what I like least—those damn potholes!!
Pricing:
- 1 UGC video – $200
- 3 UGC videos – $500
- 5 UGC videos – $875
- ^^ Base rates for organic UGC
Contact Info:
- Website: https://zenobiathegreat.com
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zenobiawiley/
