Nikki DuBose

Nikki DuBose, born March 21, 1985, is a host, model, and commercial actress turned author, speaker and mental health advocate.^[1]

Early life

Nikki was born and raised in Charleston, South Carolina with her younger stepbrother. She attended private school at Northside Christian School until the ninth grade upon which she transferred to James Island High School (now known as James Island Charter High). She was active in plays, was a member of the South Carolina Association for Christian Schools (SCACS), sung in the choir, and was involved in the community and church at large. During high school she worked on the newspaper staff for the James Island Odyssey.

Modeling and Hosting

DuBose enrolled at the age of fifteen in Charleston, South Carolina at Millie Lewis, Models and Talent. There she learned runway training and print modeling. Reportedly she was shamed by her teacher in front of the class because of her weight, and she left the school soon after.^[2]

DuBose worked as a television host for less than a year for an online luxury television station known as XLTV (Xperience Luxury Television). She interviewed many celebrities and dignitaries including Kathy Hilton, Antonio Villaraigosa and Eric Benet, and hosted at the 2008 BET Awards.^[3]

In the fall of 2008 she signed with Irene Marie Models, but the agency closed down a few months later. She quickly signed on with Elite Models Miami for two and a half years. DuBose became the face of Perry Ellis Swim,^[4] and appeared in campaigns for Alcott and Frederick's of Hollywood.^[5] She was on the cover of Maxim Germany, where they coined her “The New Bombshell.”^[6] Editorials followed for FHM Spain, Glamour Mexico, Maxim Germany, U.S. Maxim, Elle and Vanity Fair.^[7] She walked the runway for designers Chloe, Roxy, Quicksilver, Paola Robba, and Frederick's of Hollywood where she opened and closed the show.^[8]

DuBose left Elite for MC2 management Miami and New York City and booked campaigns and catalogs for Luli Fama, Urban Planet, Venus and Boston Proper among many others.^[9] She was named #92 on FHM Espana's "Sexiest Women of 2010." ^[10]

Later she modeled throughout London, Spain, Paris, Tel Aviv, Germany and Italy. She has repeatedly talked about in interviews and articles how hard it was for her to find work because of her curvy body.^[11] She was turned away in many cities, mainly Paris and Tel Aviv, and in the fall of 2011 she developed anorexia nervosa. In Spain she worked for a year. She booked the cover of Mia magazine three times in 2012, and in six editorials before she left the modeling industry, due to her illness. That same year she appeared in AR magazine Spain four times, and was on the cover of Clara.^[12] She also appeared in U.S. Maxim calendar with Kesha, as Miss April.^[13]

Commercials and Television

During her modeling career she appeared in commercials and videos for SEAT Espana, Good Hair Day and Perry Ellis Swim, among many others. She had a brief appearance on HBO's Entourage (TV series) in 2008.

Author, Speaker and Mental Health Advocacy

DuBose has been an outspoken force in the mental health field, specifically on the topic of eating disorders. She writes for the National Eating Disorders Association,^[14] Eating Disorder Hope, and on her website^[15] about her experiences growing up and in the fashion industry with binge eating, bulimia and anorexia nervosa. According to DuBose, her mental health issues developed when she was eight years old, after she was sexually, physically and psychologically abused. She also writes and talks about her experiences with drug, alcohol addictions, and self harm behavior, as well as obsessive compulsive disorder and body dysmorphic disorder.^[16] She has stated that her eating disorders and mental health issues lasted for over seventeen years, but she has since been in strong recovery since 2012.^[17]

DuBose has participated in NEDA's walks with the Artist Initiative team, which seeks to raise awareness in the entertainment and artistic industries.^[18] She volunteered at the 2014 NEDA Conference in San Antonio, Texas.^[19]

She has spoken to and mentored young people on Skid Row, Los Angeles with Union Rescue Mission. Through her art therapy project and personal story, she was able to teach young people about inner beauty and self-esteem.^[20]

DuBose told her story on March 4, 2015 to the Los Angeles County Psychological Association Eating Disorder Special Interest Group.^[21]

She was interviewed in a podcast with Recovery Warriors, “From Fashion Model to Role Model.” ^[22]

She is currently at work on her first book, which details her life's struggles, in the hopes of helping others to overcome their hardships.^[23]

DuBose has been working with Assemblymember Marc Levine on Bill AB 2539, which will "include periodic health check-ups, nutrition consultations and medical testing." She has been profiled on CBS News Los Angeles, Inquisitr, L.A. Weekly, Esquire and other prominent news sources for her advocacy work and desire to make changes within the modeling industry.

Charity

In 2008, DuBose teamed up with Do Something and Charitybuzz, and raised money with “Win a Date with Nikki DuBose” where all of the money went to fund school supplies.^[24]

She serves on the Executive Board of Project Heal SoCal Chapter, a nonprofit that raises funds for those suffering from eating disorders and can't afford treatment. She also serves on the Board of Directors of Peaceful Hearts Foundation, a nonprofit started by Matthew Sandusky that seeks to help survivors of child sexual abuse.

References

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Tuesday, March 29, 2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.