When Naima Mora was first introduced to the public consciousness, she was a 21-year-old aspiring model. As a contestant on America’s Next Top Model, Mora graced our television screens weekly with her beauty, grace and kindness. Always authentic, the native Detroiter possessed a hint of naivete that sparked in her eyes.
Almost 20 years after her reality television debut, Mora has become a self-assured model, producer and businesswoman. She is taking up space on social media, flexing her influencer skills. The Black American and Mexican beauty gives her audience a glimpse into her world. She spoke of living a dry lifestyle, free of alcohol, explaining the harm wine and spirits have on the aging process. Health is wealth. Mora’s natural beauty remains intact; the now 40-year-old woman is stunning.
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The sparkle of naivete bid farewell from her eyes, marking her evolution from America’s beloved niece to beloved Auntie.
AUNTIE. spent time traveling with Mora as she worked on a brand tour. There was a dynamism in the way she presented herself and spoke of her accomplishments. Check out what the multi-hyphenate, supermodel auntie had to say.
Remind the people who you are.
My name is Naima Laura. I am a Jacqueline of all trades and a master of every hat I wear.
You were great as America’s Next Top Model contestant and winner, but life went on afterward. What challenges did you face once the curtain dropped?
Life after America’s Next Top Model has been challenging and eventful. It has been very difficult in many ways in a very specific life that not a lot of people get to experience. Still, within that same space, it’s been beautiful, rewarding, fulfilling, and equally, the same amount of space that few people experience.
What’s one thing that you are incredibly proud of achieving that happened after the initial big win?
I can’t just say that there’s one thing that I’ve been proud of because, like I said, I’m a master of all the hats that I wear. I think there’s been a handful of things that I’ve accomplished that I’m really proud of. My book, I wrote a book called Model Behavior.
It’s available on Amazon. I’m working on my second book now.
I also penned, co-produced, and starred in a one-woman show called The Amazing Adventures of a Woman in Need with my amazing director, Marishka Philip. We received wonderful reviews as an off-Broadway play. I’m super proud of that piece of work.
The last thing I’m really proud of is what I’m working on now, a documentary about my grandmother. It’s my first film project, but I’m putting all my love into it and will leave it there.
It’s all about the Black legacy, motherhood, grandmothers, and living in your fullest power.
You shared a sneak peek, but what will life look like for you moving forward?
I really want to develop who I am in front of the camera. I have my voice in a lot of ways. But being a model, you’re in front of the camera but not speaking a lot.
I want to explore what it means to be three-dimensional on film. Behind and in front of the camera are the director and an actor. Most importantly, though, for my life, moving forward, what I see in my future is happiness.
Everybody’s an AUNTIE. If you don’t have nieces and nephews, you can still be an auntie to those who look up to you. Are you an actual auntie? Can you describe yourself as an auntie?
I am an auntie. I have many nieces and nephews. I love them all dearly. They’re very full of life and all different characters. I think I’m the favorite. Don’t tell my sisters that. But to describe myself as an auntie in three words, I would say fabulous, compassionate and fun.
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