Friday, April 25, 2008

MY INTERVIEW WITH SUDANESE TOP MODEL ATONG ARJOK!



Aight people I am so proud of this piece, because I've been a fan of this beautiful African sista... I know I'm not the only one out there, because I see in my blog stats that a lot of you find this blog looking for Atong...Speaking for myself, I just love her swagger, her African presence on the runaway, and it doesn't hurt that this sista has been is , will be the face of huge Fashion hizzies such as Malandrino, INC, K. Cole, Target..need I say more.... When she accepted to be interviewed ..I was beyond excited to get to know her better and to share it with you all...

What are we wating for,Let's go:

1- What's the essence of Atong Arjok?
A soulful, fun loving independent woman.

2-How do you define yourself as an African woman ?
Strong

3-When I say Sudan, you think of
home

4-What's ur fav' spot in NY
East village, Tompkins Square


5-Did u always want to be 1 model? How did ur career start?
It has never crossed my mind but not a day went by without people telling me that i should try it so my cousin took me to a model convention and thats how I got discovered.

6-What are the difficulties u encounter as an african woman in your line of work? I always look for u during Ny Fashion week, is it hard to get booked for those major shows?
There aren't that many available spots for a black girl.

7-Who are your fav' African models?
Iman, Alek Wek, Liya Kebede and Ajuma

8-Apart from your work , what are your other interests in life?
Psychology

9-What's 1 day like in your life?
Castings, work and relaxing at home.

10-What's ur fav' sudanese food? in the western world when u get homesick, what places can you go to that would remind u of home? My grandmas okra soup. The closest thing in the city would have to be an Ethiopian restaurant.

11-Is ur success shared within your community?there are so many other sudanese successful models, do u guys help each other out, do u hang out?
I hang out with a lot of the Sudanese models that i have met but our schedules are so different so that makes it hard at times.

12-Do u have any business projects that u are working on? Are u really hands on when it comes down to taking care of ur finances?
I have a few projects but they are in the works, will definitely let you know once they unfold. I am very involved with taking care of my finances.

13- Are u really attached to ur sudanese culture?Do u speak the language?What are the misconceptions that ar
e out there abt sudanese people that u would like to clear out?
I am attached to my sudanese culture, I speak Dinka at home with my family. One misconception that I would like to clear about sudan is that it might be a war torn country but we are rich in culture and natural resources.

14-How important is faith or 1 certain level of spirituality to u?
Spirituality is very important to me. I believe we all need to believe in something. There is a powerful force out there bigger than any of us.

15-I see that u have a god child that u are really closed to..what does motherhood (in the future of course) represent for u?
Motherhood is something that i hope to achieve one day but its out the question for now. Most of my friends and cousins have babies so they are my babies for now.lol.

16-How do u handle ur success?how does it feel for u to get major contracts w/Target, Inc,2 see ur face on 1 billboard?
I don't think success has sinked in for me yet. Seeing myself in a billboard makes me hope that i might have open a door for someone else. Just like iman and Alek have done for so many sisters.

17-What's ur best memory in the whole world?
That would have to be being a child in Africa climbing trees and not having any worries.

18-What can't u live without.........
My family

19-Do u really know who u are,or are u still searching for answers? I know what i stand for but not who i am. Am constantly evolving each day. Each day is a learning lesson for me.

20-If u could tell 1 thing to ur younger self what would it be?
Girl you don't know everything.lol.

21-The twenties are......
fun, hard, emotional but i enjoy all of them.

22-I wanna look back on my life and say
I stayed true to myself.

23-The most beautiful insult is?
I don't know if there is a beautiful insult but the worst compliment is " You're beautiful for a dark skin person" Like what is that suppose to mean?

24-i find myself beautiful when....
I wake up in the morning and don't really care what i look like.

25-AFRICA IS TE FUTURE BECAUSE
I think we are understanding that we need to come together.

26-What's 1 event in African history that u will never forget?
I would have to say Mandela freedom and John Garang death.

27-Are u involved w/social activism, charity?
To some extend but not as much as i wold like.

28-When u are feelin down, which singer can get u out of ur funky mood?

Bob Marley, but the movie Color Purple does a better job. It makes me say to myself "what are you complaining about, your life is not that bad, get off your butt and do something"

29-what would u tell to 1 young african sista who would like 2 become 1 model,(real advice)?
Keep in mind many doors will be closed when you knock but don't take it personal, knock at their neighbor's doors. One of them will let you in as long as you're persistent.

31-DARFOUR IS.....
tragic but i have faith that it will be over sooner or later.

32-life is
Too short

33 -What's the quote you live by
One step at the time

34- What's the best beauty secret u've ever been given....
Kiehls products, they just work for me. I got my friend hooked on them.

35-when u are abt to get on stage how do u feel?i love ur seriousness on ur face when u model..is that something they ask u guys to do..or is it ur signature walk?
Am a little nervous before i walk out but it fades as soon as i hit the runway. About my seriousness, i never realize it until you mention it.lol. So i guess that is all me.

36-What 2 do u know for sure in life......
Can't change anyone but myself

Aight well thank you Miss Atong ffor opening up to us, I feel like we all know you a bit better, wishing you ever more success and waiting to see you in other business ventures...:)
And remenber that we African people , celebrate and support u!


Djaa my Sudanese Sistas are beautiful and mad cool:)

Eyeee Wayeee:)

3 comments:

Comb & Razor said...

nice interview... Atong's one of my favorites!

Anonymous said...

great interview...loved reading it :)

atong baby said...

hey atong
my name is
atong to
i looove ur style
i think
we are related
cuz my mom
is always
talking about
u and i think
we should talk
on myspace.com
i have u as a friend
-atong