RHS's next top model

By: Bianca Bellamy
The Rams Horn
Tuesday, January 01, 2008

"I like fashion, but I don’t go overboard," says Tanisha Watlington, junior.

At the age of 16, Watlington has accomplished something most girls her age only dream about. This year she was signed to GET/Style101 Magazine, a modeling company.

"I love modeling; it’s who I am. Every time I step onto the runway, I have total control," said Watlington.

Her role model is Tyra Banks because, unlike other models, she hasn’t tried to change her image no matter what others thought of it. Also, Banks seems very down to earth, according to Watlington who hopes to one day go to Miami and sign a print modeling contract.

Watlington’s last fashion show was in late August, but like with all jobs, the fashion wasn’t all glamorous. "I had to wear make-up for six hours and couldn’t touch my face at all. I was so scared."

Before attending Randallstown, Watlington attended Carver Center for the Arts and Technology. There, she majored in visual arts. She describes her experience there as, "Hilarious, scary and worth her time." She ended up coming to RHS because although she was good at drawing, she didn’t really enjoy doing it.

Randallstown is a change from Carver. She likes the fact that Randallstown has a lot more African American students that she can relate to, and she likes the fact that she can be with one of her best friends, Nataki Williams, after not really having contact with her for three years.

Unlike most teenagers, Watlington loves "all kinds of music" especially Kanye West. Her view on the Kanye West-50 Cent controversy is that she likes both of the artists. She explains, you need "songs that you can dance to in the club and songs that make you think"

A successful career in modeling isn’t Watlington’s only goal. After graduating from high school she hopes to attend Miami State University or Miami Arts College and then buy a house there. She said she loves being in any place with the "water and sun."