7 Things To Know About Slick Woods - The Face Of Fenty Beauty
In a world cluttered by cookie-cutter models and photo-shopped layouts, emerging model Slick Woods is a breath of fresh air.
Her gap-tooth grin, bald head and tattoos serve a new kind of sexy that transcends gender and style preference. This new androgynous archetype is proving that femininity is flexible and defined by the woman herself. Discovered just two years ago, Slick has had a whirlwind career shooting exclusive campaigns for Calvin Klein, gracing the 2018 Pirelli calendar, and making her film debut next year as the star of Vice Film's Goldie. She was also pegged by Vogue as the face of the new American style.
Her latest role tops it all as she's been named the face of Fenty Beauty by Ms. Robyn "Rihanna" Fenty herself. Tonight at midnight, the latest shade from Fenty's matte lip line, Stunna, drops and it's time we honored the fierce woman behind the brand's latest campaign. Slick is leaving her mark in an industry fraught with amorphous stereotypes and we're here for it.
Get to know Slick Woods and thank us later.
1. She Started From the Bottom
"BLEED FOR YOUR F**KING DREAM...," Slick wrote in one Instagram post earlier this month. The 21-year-old says that she couldn't hold a job longer than a week and modeling literally saved her life.
2 years ago I started this journey at 19. I never was prepared for what was to come; adulthood, building a career... a "brand". I could only hold one job longer than a week due to my lack of control over my emotions and PTSD and that was f-ckin footlocker. The pressure crippled me. Modeling saved my life. Modeling took me around the world and introduced me to passion and inspiration. Follow your dreams if it f-cking kills you because the pain of regret is incomparable. My dreams broke me down, built me up, moved me to the other side of the country with not a cent to my name or a friend in my phone book. My dreams gave me crippling anxiety and depression. My dreams broke my skin out from stress and worry but you know what else my dreams did? They gave me the motivation and the passion to overcome the bad that made it not only hard to enjoy, but also aided the block I had on the blessings god was sending.
2. Her Mother Went to Prison When She Was 4 Years Old
Slick was raised by her grandmother while her mother was in jail serving an 18-year sentence for manslaughter. During that time, Slick and her grandmother bounced around between Los Angeles and Minneapolis in perpetual homelessness. Regardless of the hard life she endured, Slick thinks the world of her mother. She told Evening Standard that she was, "the most respected woman I've ever been around."
"I've never met someone as selfless as my mother. My mother gave her life for me."
Her mother will be released next year.
3. She Got Her Nickname From Her Weed Rolling Skills
Slick Woods is not her real name. The model was actually born Simone Thomas. Her nickname she picked up from friends, thanks to her supreme weed-rolling skills. Her public affinity for marijuana has cost her a lot more than it's worth. She told Evening Standardthat posting photos of her smoking pot to Instagram has proven to be costly, "I've lost $125,000 in a day from being myself."
4. She Had Her Heart Broken by Ebonee Davis
A staple member of her modeling cohort, Ebonee Davis, apparently did a little more than just take some incredibly provocative photos with Slick - she also kind of took her heart too.
Slick recently revealed to the Evening Standard that she's currently single after having her heart broken by Ebonee.
'I sent her 16 bouquets of purple roses to say I miss you. She's the one that got away, man.'
5. She Used To Live In A Traphouse And Did Time in Jail for Credit Card Scams
Surviving humble beginnings and being the daughter of a woman who did serious time had a statistically predictable effect on Slick's life. Before hitting it big, she did time in jail herself for credit card scams and bank scams. She told Evening Standard, "'I was in a place where I didn't believe in anything, so I was so susceptible to evil energy. I'm so easily turned."
Although she was living in a drug den just two years ago, she is now ballin' out of control. She revealed, "I went from being homeless to spending $20,000 a week. I was making up for lost time, buying my friends s***, going to $400 dinners. I've always been like, “What if I die tomorrow?" I can't sit on this bread.'
6. She Was Discovered On The Streets By Model Ash Stymest
Sometimes all it takes is that one co-signer to bring someone into the light that otherwise might have gone unnoticed. A chance meeting with British model Ash Stymest who saw her walking down a street in LA led to a friendship that served as her doorway into the modeling industry. Meeting Ash lead to the modeling gig that sent her into orbit - Kanye West's Yeezy lookbook.
7. She Once Told Kanye West, "Pay Me"
Slick gives us a little lesson in knowing your worth - no matter who's asking. After posing for the Yeezy season one lookbook, she was asked back. But apparently Kanye forgot to pay her. "Kanye did not pay me," she told Evening Standard. "I didn't see my money until the next Yeezy job I did. He couldn't book me again without having paid me for the first time."Welp.
Slick Woods has just gotten started, and will be the model to watch in 2018!
Catch her in Rihanna's latest beauty campaign below:
For more from Slick Woods, follow her on Instagram.
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- Model Slick Woods Does Fenty Beauty Makeup Tutorial | Teen Vogue ›
- Fenty Beauty Model Slick Woods Faces Nasty Twitter Comments ... ›
- Slick Woods Talks About Her Career, Rihanna, and Becoming a ... ›
Ashley Simpo is a writer, mother and advocate for self-care and healthy relationships. She lives in Brooklyn, NY. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter @ashleysimpo. Check out her work and her musings on ashleysimpocreative.com.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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6 Spring Events To Boost Your Professional And Social Networks
When spring arrives, we all want to be outside, looking fabulous, and back to socializing. And now is the perfect time to add a few great events to your calendar to get you through the quarter in order to make new friends, build new partnerships, and talk new opportunities to level up.
Spring is a high season for networking and social events for Black women, with many organizations and event entrepreneurs booking prime locations and offering dynamic experiences that you can maximize in whatever way possible. Write down your goals, and get out there. Start with a few of these events between now and the start of summer:
New Orleans Jazz And Heritage Festival, April 23 - May 3
The New Orleans Jazz And Heritage Festival is a 10-day event held over two weekends, bringing together thousands of musicians, craftspeople, and food lovers to share in common threads of culture in the heart of New Orleans. You'll get to enjoy works by artisans local to Louisiana as well as from across the U.S. and around the world.
Black Food Truck Festival, April 26-28
Hosted in Charleston, S.C., the Black Food Truck Festival includes an opening party, access to more than two dozen food truck vendors, and a time to workout with other attendees. Charleston has long been known as a Southern foodie destination, with global recognition due to James Beard-awarded chefs heading popular restaurants there and a renewed focus on Gullah and Geechee culture and food in the region. And what better conversation ice-breaker than to talk about food with a new acquaintance?
Black Women's Mental Health Conference, May 4
Hosted by New York University, this is a one-day event to tackle issues of mental wellness and health that uniquely affect Black women and girls. The keynote speaker for this year is Kim Young, MSW, LCSW, founder of Dope Black Social Worker® and host of the podcast Revolutionary Hoodrat, and leading licensed professionals in the field will offer their insights and share their experiences. And, of course, no college-led event is without time blocked specifically for networking.
Strength of a Woman Festival, May 11-12
Anything with Mary J. Blige headlining or leading is a win, especially if we're talking about women's empowerment and enjoyment. This event will be held in New York City, and beyond the performances from some of our favorites like Muni Long, Jill Scott, and The Clark Sisters, there will be a Gospel Brunch. And even if you're not able to attend or concerts aren't your thing, just being in the city during that time will mean you're bound to run into plenty of other women to network with at local bars and restaurants nearby.
Carefree Black Girl Cookout, May 4
Held in the Queen City, Charlotte, N.C., this is a day festival amplifying the voices and brands of Black women entrepreneurs, artists, and creatives. There will be vendors, glam and beauty bars, and complimentary meals for the first hour (according to the platform's website). They're hosting another cookout in Philadelphia on May 25.
Black Women Leading Live, May 13-16
Touted as an “intimate retreat + conference,” this Virginia Beach, VA event will be held on a resort and is offering a professional development experience led by Laura Knights, founder of the Black Woman Leading® program and podcast. It’s an ideal fit if you’re a mid-level or senior professional, as the topics and approach are set to cater to those levels of career experience, with coaches and speakers pouring into attendees with a holistic approach.
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