Alabama native, Randy Bowden, Jr. talks about challenges being a Black model with dreams of modeling for Saint Laurent and how pandemic forced personal change.
Q&A
Agency, if any: State Model Management New York
Age: 30 years old
Height: 6’1″
Instagram: @Randybowdenjr
Where were you born? I was born in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, at DCH Hospital.
Ethnicity: I am Black, as far as I know. You know American slavery through us off.
Zodiac Sign: I am a Virgo.
Favorite things: My favorite things are new exercise routines, Golden Oreos, and ice cream.
What music are you listening to at the moment? Currently, I am obsessed with everything Summer Walker releases. Her debut album, ‘Over It,’ has been on repeat since its release LOL!
What have you learned about yourself during quarantine? I have learned that I have to be patient with myself, my partner, and the situations that arise during quarantine like everyday shopping and learning that distance from your friends and family definitely makes the heart grow fonder.
Three things the pandemic forced you to change?
- My patience with myself.
- My ability to see good no matter how ugly the bad may seem.
- It forced me to realize even more that family should always be first.
Favorite movie and tv show: The Devil Wears Prada for my favorite movie because it showcases my life for a little while during my fashion press days. As far as my tv show, I love Dr. Popper Pimple; it’s like so hard to watch, but I honestly cannot get enough of it.
Favorite designer, fragrance, and beauty/grooming products? My favorite designer is Juun. J. I love love love Oud Wood by Tom Ford, and my favorite grooming products are UrbanSkinRX. They truly cater to melanin skin and everything we need to make sure our skin stays on point. I love the natural mask to prevent breakouts. I always use an under eye cream to make sure I’m not carrying too many bags under my eyes.
What would you be doing if you weren’t modeling? I would be either still at a fashion brand doing press or pursuing my singing career.
What’s something uncool that you love anyway? I genuinely love politics, and everyone always looks at me like oh really, that’s surprising. Most people think it’s stupid and unrelatable, but its something that I take very seriously. Everyone should understand politics, considering the current state of our nation. So some would say it is uncool, but I love it anyway.
What’s the best thing about your hometown/country? The best thing about my hometown is the southern hospitality and the food, baby! Alabama, we know how to throw it down.
Place you would love to visit (after quarantine): I want to experience Bali, The Maldives, and Brazil.
Which brand would you love to model? I want to model for Saint Laurent. I don’t think I necessarily have the build for most of the garments; however, that’s the fun part—creating a lane for a different demographic because, at the end of the day, fashion should be inclusive for everyone.
Favorite modeling experience thus far? My favorite modeling experience thus far was walking partially naked for Timo Weiland and Titos Vodka. It was a completely unexpected booking and fashion show, but it was really fun.
What are some of your challenges as a model? Some of my challenges have been the fact that I am a Black man. We struggle so much with excelling in the industry a lot of times; on top of that, I have tattoos everywhere, which also can hinder you. To add, casting directors would always ask me how tall you are? They always said I looked short. With all of those things, I never tried to let them get me down too much. I told myself always to keep going.
Your favorite feature on your body? My favorite feature is my chest. I like a good t-shirt to fit in all the right places.
Currently, you’re obsessed with or about? I am obsessed with using resistance bands during my workouts since most gyms are closed. It’s so many variations of exercises you can do with a big ass rubberband LOL.
3 Words that best describe you as a person?
- Anxiety (working on that)
- Disciplined
- Loving
Any shoutouts?
I want to shoutout my talented brother Javan L. Bowden for shooting this feature for me. We have been creating since day one, and we always make magic together.
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