21-year-old Virgin Islander Aaliyah Erickson aka ‘The Model Aaliyah E’ has big dreams to take the international modelling scene by storm while proudly flying the flag of the Territory. Photo: Provided

While Ms Erickson is yet to attend college and university, outside of the modelling career, she has hopes of studying veterinarian services in the future. Photo: Provided

Aaliyah said she was inspired to enter the modelling industry by watching a few cousins modelling in pageants as a little girl, 'but I’ve always dreamed of being a model and was always taking pictures,' she said. Photo: Provided

To youths looking to build a dream she noted, 'I would say be patient, stay focus confident and Gracious. Go after your dreams and do whatever makes you happy as an individual be the person you wish to be someday, set daily goals and achieve them.' Photo: Provided

While she is yet to attend college and university, outside of the booming modelling career, our Young Professional said she has hopes of studying veterinarian services in the future.

She has also attended Hollywood Institute of Beauty Careers in Florida, USA, to become a full beauty specialist and completed that programme in September 2019.

Modelling Career

According to our Young Professional, her interest in modelling has guided her to new paths, with her career now taking off and taking her to new heights.

“My model career entails to display or promote clothing, merch or products. I enjoy meeting photographers and being in front of the camera,” she said while underscoring that a major challenge is learning how to manage herself while on the job.

Turning attention to life lessons, Ms Erickson said her biggest one to date is learning to choose happiness over anything else. “Go after what makes you happy. I overcome it surrounding and connecting myself with the right people and separate myself from negativity,” she said.

Our Young Professional was inspired to enter the modelling industry by watching her older cousins model in pageants as a little girl, “but I’ve always dreamed of being a model and was always taking pictures,” she said.

Looking to the Future

Outside of modelling, Ms Erickson also told VINO that she worked at the Orlando Medical Regional Centre in Florida on a part-time basis assisting with services.

When asked if her career was the ultimate goal, Ms Erickson said, “I also wished to become successful and wealthy, make a difference, visit different countries to giveback/help people others and open up my own spa someday”

According to Erickson, she still intends to pursue those dream and big ideas and says creating and following her daily routines, setting goals and staying positive and motivated keeps her focused on a daily basis.

Ultimately, she said, the goal in the modelling career is to see herself as a print and commercial model.

Parting Advice

When asked how she has been coping in the COVID-19 pandemic, our Young Professional said, “COVID-19 hasn’t really affected my personal life expect for keeping me back from doing what I love, but it sat me down and trained/prepared me for what is about to happen next.”

To youths looking to build a dream, she noted, “I would say be patient, stay focused, confident and gracious. Go after your dreams and do whatever makes you happy as an individual. Be the person you wish to be someday, set daily goals and achieve them.”

In a final note of advice to those pursuing a passion, our Young Professional said, “Keep going, you are almost there!! DON’T give up on something you were blessed to do” -IAmAaliyahE.