Today we’d like to introduce you to Aria Monique
Hi Aria, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I am a mom of a 3 year old son who has always had a passion and dream to use every creative gift that God has given me. From singing, song writing, modeling, dancing, acting to playing instruments. Singing has always been my number one gift as well as song writing. I was definitely on the shy side, so I sung any chance I got to be alone. Eventually I did start to sing lead or solos at church and school talent shows, but I was still fearful and had a lack of confidence. Despite those feelings I auditioned and got the role to act as an orphan in the play “Annie” at my now alumni high School. I even started a YouTube page during middle school and made cover videos, but I stopped right before my first year of high school. I have been a dancer since a young child and had many chances to showcase it by being on dance teams and dancing at church. I was enrolled in “stage movement” in high school, so that gave me a chance to be in the play “Beauty and the Beast” as a dancing werewolf.
My love for modeling also started to grow when I was young. I would put on my mother’s high heels and walk around the house like I was in a High end fashion show. The first instrument I picked up was a guitar, but unfortunately that didn’t last too long. I started to become a flutist in fourth grade which allowed me to be a part of marching band and concert band which led me to symphonic band. I was also drum major my senior year. High school was the first time I joined drum line which is how I began to become a cymbal player as well. By my sophomore year I was given the opportunity to join an Independent drum line “Freedom percussion”. Spending four great years being a part of something so competitive and that I had a strong passion for is what made the performer in me come alive.
I attended college at Mizzou, so of course I joined marching Mizzou, but I only did it for two years. My first year I played piccolo and I auditioned for the drumline my second year and played cymbals. I took two courses for piano because I started to teach myself the basics some time during my high school years. I also picked up the guitar again and took lessons during college. Once again playing guitar didn’t last long, but that time was due to being a tired and working pregnant woman who was also a full time student.
My experience with studio recording started in middle school. Then by high school I hung with a group of fellow marching band members and recorded a lot of music in one of their home studios. I guess for me you can say it was just for fun because I never had enough confidence to share it with the world. Putting my music out there is allowing people to have their own opinion on my God given talent that I cherish so much, so that’s one reason why I still never even released a single. I have an entire catalog of songs that I have been keeping to myself, but also trying to find someone to make the beats and produce for me is not cheap either. I’ve been spending many years wanting to live my purpose, but been too afraid of the success that could come from it. However, I did just start recording my Single “No One Like You”, so I’m praying I truly start building my music career this time. I honestly believe that my modeling career is helping me build the courage for my music career.
I got serious about modeling two years ago and it started with “Tonya McGhee” (owner of Lilamae Jewelry) giving me my first opportunity to gain experience in photoshoot modeling. Soon after that “Savy the Creator” gave me my first chance to model in a fashion show. I have been so blessed to have been able to do another photoshoot for Tonya McGhee and walk in 3 fashion shows this past year. This year just started and I am unexpectedly already booked for a few different modeling gigs. Modeling has been opening doors for me such as collaborating with “Hollywood Beauty Supply” and opportunities to join an agency. My financial income has always been a barrier making it harder for me to make my dreams come true, but what is for me is still for me. I will be on a cover of a magazine one day.
I graduated this past year as Certified Medical Assistant and now re enrolled at Mizzou to finish earning my Bachelors degree in Health Sciences. As of right now I do plan to attend nursing school next. With all that I do I am a mother first. A mother who is fighting to make a better life for her son. No one can put me in a box. I can’t even fit in a box. God gave some people one gift, but for me he gave me many and I refuse to let any of them go to waste. I understand that great gifts mean great responsibilities and greater gifts mean even greater responsibilities, but I’m ready. I’ve been working to lay the foundation because it’s my time to build.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
This journey that I have been on has definitely been rough. The biggest struggles have been not realizing who I really am and my debt being greater than my income. I wouldn’t just procrastinate, but I would think what’s the point because there’s hundreds of people who do the same thing as me. Eventually I had to believe that the difference is that every one else is not me. It also takes finances to make your dreams come true and because it’s never enough for me to invest in myself I have had to turn down many opportunities. I know many people can relate when I say that being a parent while trying to make a better life is another struggle. It’s my responsibility to not only try to provide my son with the basic necessities, but to also help nurture his gifts as well as mine. I can’t just drop everything and chase after my dreams. I have to keep working to go higher in my education because as of right now I believe that is my current way out of the struggle.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My main priority right now is working as a full time certified medical assistant. I just graduated this past October, so I’m learning so much every day. At times it can be very overwhelming and stressful because not only do I room patients, but I’m responsible for taking patient calls, refilling prescriptions, and doing a variety of paperwork. It also feels stressful to me because I’m the kind of person that feels the need to get everything done in that one day. That leads me to being a full time student as well now. It’s very imperative that I organize what i’m going to get done on what day, so I keep myself from becoming mentally drained. My focus is to go to work then go home to do my course work. I make a little effort to make time for what I love and makes me happy, but this is my third and last chance to finally earn my degree and walk the stage. I struggle to finish what I start, so I refuse to not finish at the school I started at.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.facebook.com/amethystnailqueendom/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thee__amb/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theeamb/
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/amethystnailqueendom/
