RASHEEDAH NICOLES WILLIAMS TALKS ABOUT A MOTHER’S LOVE AND HOW SHE SAW IT ALL

Meet Rasheedah Williams. The lovely passionate woman from beautiful state of Virginia. She began modeling seven years ago and hasn’t slowed down yet. She is the current Face for Size Overrated Magazine. Throughout her career she has had the opportunity to model for several boutique brands like Sealed With A Kiss and Curvy Sense. Rasheedah has been featured on several book covers and in a few plus magazines. She also entered and won the first Show Off Your Fluff Contest. Rasheedah is also a brand ambassador for My Beautiful Fluff.

“I’ve never had a problem with anyone getting my size and they always make sure I pick out what I model and that I am comfortable.”

Rasheedah has a true passion for people and love seeing them happy. She is far from selfish and loves to share her platform and opportunities with others. Through her many opportunities and connections, she has helped other models get features in and on publications, she has assisting on photo shoots as well. For three years straight, she served as a brand ambassador for the Jose Pagan Photo Tour and sold out each time.

Rasheedah is making her mark in the plus fashion industry. To many she is considered to be a model mentor.

But who is Rasheedah?

QSM: Rasheedah, it brings me great pleasure to interview you in this fashion. We have talked, been on social media lives together, but this one is different. I recall you reaching out to me a while ago and you told me that your goal was to be on the cover of Queen Size Magazine. Your persistence is everything for me because here we are. Is it silly to ask, how are you feeling right now? Lol

Rasheedah: First of all, allow me to thank you for this amazing opportunity. I have always wanted to be on your cover and inside. I love your platform and what you represent and plus you are a VIRGO like myself. I aim to do my very best in anything that I do and work hard. Again, thank you so much for this opportunity I am so grateful.

QSM: Let’s take a few steps back. Tell me about the younger version of Rasheedah.

Rasheedah: Growing up I was always under my Mother, rest her soul. My Mother was my best friend. My Dad died when I was eight years old. Everything I am is all because of my Mother Delphine Williams. She taught me to have morals and self-respect, no matter what size I was. I have always been beautiful and full figured with a huge heart to match. I was always encouraged by my Mom. She made sure I didn’t want for anything. I was known as the Pretty Big Girl. I hated it because I didn’t feel beautiful due to my size. I took a while (and I mean awhile) to embrace these curves. Better late than never because I realize I am beautiful just the way I am. My Mother always let me take pictures as a child and I loved it. I wasn’t a model yet, but I loved the camera. She would always say “I may not be here to see you model but you are going to be a model, Rasheedah”. She isn’t here physically but she is here in spirit. I’ll always love you Ma!

QSM: I have had the pleasure of following your journey. You have had moments when I have seen you in your zone and also there were moments when you have doubted yourself. When and where are you most confident?

Rasheedah: I am very confident doing anything high fashion. That is where my heart is. One of my dreams is to visit Paris. Lingerie isn’t my thing; I can do it here and there I prefer not to do it often. Other than that, I am very confident in anything that I do. I try my best to own whatever I put on. I’m a walking hanger rack I sell the outfit.

QSM: The fashion industry has changed quite a bit. Can you speak to the opportunities available, or lack thereof as a plus model?

Rasheedah: I am very blessed with the amazing people I model for. I’ve never had a problem with anyone getting my size and they always make sure I pick out what I model and that I am comfortable. I love seeing models that look like myself modeling for huge brands. Women want to see others that look like them, so it helps them feel more comfortable in the skin they are in.

QSM: Can we talk about these book covers that you have been on?

Rasheedah: I have been blessed to be on four books covers. They are “He Leveled Up With A Boss Chick” by Derica Ringo, “Avery’s Secret Admirer” by Shavekia Layfield, “Bigger Better Wetter” by Derica Ringo, “Sage: She Saw Beauty” by Lena Watson

All the books I have been on are about a plus size woman. Sage: She Saw Beauty is about a beautiful woman who lost her Mother to Cancer which is what I endured. Please check these books out you will love them.

QSM: I want to hear more about this Show Off Your Fluff Contest.

Rasheedah: Okay first let me start off by saying that I simply love the CEO of My Beautiful Fluff Brittany Washington. I submitted to her first contest Show Off Your Fluff. I love to show that you can be beautiful any shape or size. I received so much love during that contest. So much that I won 1st place. I stayed up several nights promoting. One thing about me is, I will not give up. Now I am her very first caricature for her beautiful brand. It’s still on her website today.

QSM: You also make bracelets. This I know because I have a few. Can you tell people about your newfound business venture?

Rasheedah: Thank you so much for supporting my business. Yea I started my own charm bracelet business. I have loved charm bracelets since I was a teenager. Thanks to my best friend Ty Mullen she encouraged me to step out on faith to make my own. I was even a brand ambassador for a charm bracelet company. I have to pat myself on the back because all my bracelets are beautiful. I make anything from sorority bracelets to children’s bangles.

QSM: How did you become an ambassador for Jose Pagan’s Photo tour? He is an amazing photographer. (And why did you stop after three years?)

Rasheedah: I became a brand ambassador for Jose Pagan from a phone call we had. I remember he told me I think you can get me to Virginia. I was nervous and excited. I am very proud to say I sold out every year that I was ambassador. I was brand ambassador for three years because that is the max for how long you can do it. This was my last year I wore my crown well literally and I am very happy I was chosen.

QSM: As cheesy as this sounds, I am going to ask anyway…. What is your five-year goal in terms of modeling? Where do you see yourself?

Rasheedah: My five year goal in terms of modeling is to model for more brands. I loved modeling for SWAK and Curvy Sense. I see myself fulfilling my goal, which is reaching out to the youth and doing Self Love Photoshoots with them. I could also see myself having my very own modeling agency. I help several models now so why not.

QSM: When we last spoke, you and I talked about you doing speaking engagements to speak to young girls. Where are you with that? (I am big on holding people accountable for doing what they say they are going to do lol)

Rasheedah: Yes ma’am we spoke about me doing speaking engagements and I still plan to do so. I have been reaching out to the youth seeing how I can inspire them. I’m still going to do the speaking engagements no matter how nervous I am.

QSM: Who inspires you to keep going?

Rasheedah: My best friend who is my rock and back bone Ty Mullen. She inspired me to love myself from the day we met. I love my best friend and I appreciate her sticking by me on my self-love journey. She has inspired me beyond words.

QSM: It was an absolute pleasure speaking to you Rasheedah. Please let people know where they can follow and support you.

Rasheedah: You can follow me on IG at Sheedahboo2u. You can also find me on Facebook under Rasheedah Nicole Williams. It has been my pleasure as well. Thank you so much for your time and this lovely opportunity.

All images shot by Jose Pagan Photography