 Standing at six feet, with caramel skin and copper eyes, she is a vision of beauty and confidence. Her name is Sharon Quinn and although she is a lot thinner now (size 16) than she was when she was first signed with the Goddess Division of Model Service Agency she is still one of the most known faces in the industry. Her former clients include: Lane Bryant, Nordstrom, Just My Size (commercial), The Avenue (National Ad Campaign) and Macy’s just to name a few. Aside from modeling Sharon is also a singer/performer.
This past Valentines Day, I decided to head on over to BB Kings to check her out for myself. TJ Carlson and friends performed a soulful celebration of love songs. The show was fabulous and the food was delicious. Towards the middle of the program Sharon was introduced and the party really began. She represented for plus size women everywhere from the moment she stepped on the stage. Her clothes showed no sign of insecurities or apologies for her curves, her make-up was flawless and her voice was stunning. Several times during the performance she would refer to her big girls in the audience. At one point she made us stand up!! She was not ashamed and she was looking to empower any plus size woman in the audience that came to the show hoping to hide behind her friend or husband.
I had an opportunity to interview this incredibly beautiful and talented woman. I hope you find this interview enjoyable and informative.
How did you get started as a plus model?
Hmmm...how much time do you have? lol....actually, I got my first real taste of modeling back in the mid 80's (this was so long ago I still had a Jheri Curl...gasp!) I entered the BBW Cover Model Search and was chosen as a finalist. I flew out to Las Vegas for a week for the competition. I didn't win, but I got my first tear sheet and I came back to NYC to pursue a career in modeling. It was a wonderful experience and it completely changed my life (but you'll have to read my book to find out how...lol). The industry was actually much more brutal back then, they didn't cut you any breaks and they weren't exactly polite with their comments. In fact, some of them were just downright nasty. After being told I needed to lose weight and fix my teeth, I decided that I didn't want to deal with the drama and I knew my fragile ego couldn't handle rejection like that, so I didn't model again for another 10 years.
How long did it take for jobs or agencies to begin "knocking" on your door?
Surprisingly, not long at all, in 1995 a designer friend of mine entered me in a local modeling competition in New Jersey that happened to be sponsored by Maybelline Cosmetics. I was one of the only 2 plus sized women out of 62 models in the competition and much to everyone's surprise (including my own) I won the title of "Maybelline Shades of You Model Of The Year 1995". I was the only plus sized model in the 16 year history of this competition to ever win the title. I won a trip to Paris and I got a whole lot of local press from winning that title. Shortly after winning, I received a phone call from Sonia Alleyne, the editor of Black Elegance magazine. She was one of the judges for the competition and she had me come in for a chat and decided to put my face on the cover of the new magazine she was launching for plus sized women called "BELLE". They did a full story on my competition win and my face appeared in almost every issue they printed afterwards. My next step was to get signed to an agency, having remembered how much I hated making the agency rounds in the 80's I decided to forgo the normal route of going on open model calls and I put together a slamming press kit and mailed it to all of the top agencies. I received responses from all of them but I felt most comfortable with Wilhelmina. I signed an exclusive contract and I started working almost immediately. I stayed with Wilhelmina for 3 years before moving on. So in answer to your question, I never really had to wait for anyone to knock on my door....I went ahead and knocked on theirs.
When and how was runway introduced to you?
Although I can't give you exact dates anymore (lol) I do know that I got my first real taste of runway modeling through Gwen DeVoe (of DeVoe Signatur' Events). We met through a mutual friend and she needed a plus sized model for a show that she was doing in a club and asked me if I would help her out. I agreed and continued to work for her as a model for many years and our friendship continues to this day. I have learned a great deal from her and the circles that she introduced me into definitely helped me develop my signature walk and the moniker "The Original Runway Diva". I also must give some credit to my late best friend Thomas Brock for teaching me how to walk initially.
How long have you been singing and how did you get started?
I have been singing ever since I could talk. I grew up in a musical household because my stepfather was the tour manager for many of the big acts in the 70's & 80's. There was always some group of people in our house singing acapella. Back then we didn't really have a "black formatted" radio station, it was WABC-AM (lol...AM people!!!!) so I was able to get a healthy dose of ALL types of music. It doesn't matter what the genre is, GOOD music has always been (and will always be) my first love. Music moves me in a way that nothing else does. I started out like most people in the school choirs and in church. I have always surrounded myself with like-minded people. So my circle of friends consists mainly of performers of some sort. I began in the Borough Wide and All City Choruses singing at Carnegie Hall and Avery Fisher Hall. In college I got hooked on the whole musical theatre scene and then I graduated to the club/open mic scene...as you meet people and network other opportunities will open up for you and that's what happened to me. I have done quite a bit of session work for many well known singers as well as recording my own music. In August of 2002 I was the opening act for Darius Rucker's (of Hootie & The Blowfish fame) NYC debut at BB King's Blues Club and Grill in Times Square. I have been performing there at least once a month ever since.
Has being a plus size woman affected your singing career?
I don't think so, since I consider myself fabulous no matter what size I am. Although I am sure that there are many who may have had a problem with my size, I think that my presence is one of quiet power and they get over everything else quickly. They only way my size may have hindered me is in the recording industry...but I really think that my age (i'm not 20 anymore) has been more of a factor than my size. I have never allowed my size to keep me from doing what I wanted to do.
Give me your thoughts about the modeling industry.
I think that more can and should be done on the plus size end of the industry. The plus size market is a billion (or nearly billion) dollar business. It annoys me when I see lines like the DKNY Plus line and it's all flowing, boxy fabrics with no style at all for a ridiculous amount of money....why not just bring Muu-Muu's back??? I see absolutely no reason at all why we are not represented on the 7th on 6th shows. The time is nearing as I speak these words, but this should have been done a long time ago. Unfortunately, this industry is run by a small group of narrow minded, small bodied, salad and seed eating skeletons passing themselves off as women. This madness cannot continue, WE are NOT the minority anymore. As consumers we have the power to force changes to this industry. But we can't do it unless we come together and wield a mighty fist. I see the changes happening slowly....but they ARE happening. Rather than complain about what they aren't doing, we need to support what is being done. If we show our support in the form of subscriptions, letters and emails...perhaps we can prevent publications that are specifically marketed towards us (Belle, Mode, Grace, BBW etc) stay in business. And before anyone says it...Yes a lot of these publications forgot about our plus sized sisters on the outer fringes....but at least it was a start. Bottom line, we CAN change this industry's thinking but we need to be "on our games" to do so. I'm stepping off my soapbox now....sorry...lol.
Can you give the many aspiring plus models and performers out there any
advice?
Yes. First rule of modeling for me is....prepare yourself for rejection. You're going to get a lot of it. It's the nature of the business. But don't let a rejection keep you from pursuing your dream. Keep updating your book, keep going on calls...this is a really fickle business. What isn't hot today will be hot tomorrow....so don't give up.
Do your homework. Learn how to do your own makeup. Learn how to perfect your runway "stroll". If you know any other signed models ask them for advice ...then LISTEN TO WHAT THEY TELL YOU!!! Keep your day job, you're gonna need it! Don't try to cut corners and skimp on the necessities like pictures. It takes time to build a great comp card and book... take your time and save your money for a really good photographer . Learn everything you can for free and what you can't learn for free....PAY FOR IT!!! It will only help you in the long run. Be smart and listen to your instincts. If you have to come online to post on a forum to find out if you are making the right move....chances are you already know the answer. Don't be so hungry to be a "model" that you don't use common sense when something smells like a scam to you. Take care of yourself, get enough sleep and eat properly...YOU are the "product" and no one wants damaged goods. Get yourself self-esteem in check and remember that this is still a business, so do yourself a favor and don't take it personally if you don't get chosen for every audition you go on.
Finally, take a good look in the mirror and ask yourself seriously, if you think you have what it takes...you need to be something other than "thick with a cute face". Be brutally honest with yourself, because if you don't someone else will. Find out what the minimum height/size requirements are and stay within those parameters if you are serious about working.
Good luck! |
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