Q&A With An Aspiring Video Vixen (Marika Bacchus) by J.R. Yussuf
Q: “Hello, can you state your name for the record please?”
A: “Hello, my name is Marika Bacchus.”
Q: “Hello Ms. Bacchus, are you ready to begin?”
A: “Yes. I am.”
Q: “OK, here we go. Why do you want to work in this industry? And what do you have to say to all the people who don’t find being a ‘video girl’ a respectable career choice?”
A: “Well, I feel that I have a unique look that I bring to the industry and ‘video girl’ is a very vague term that puts a limit on what I want to do. Video modeling is a very small aspect of what I can and want to do. I want to have an established career in modeling. And as far as people who judge models in videos, I feel that what they see is a small window to the work they actually do in the industry. You can not accurately judge what you really don’t have any knowledge of.”
Q: “What sparked your interest in this profession and when did you know this was something you wanted to do?”
A: “When I was younger everyone told me I had an exotic look so I should model. I figured I would bring a natural beauty to the table and I knew it was something I wanted to do since high school; age eighteen.”
Q: “What’s your greatest fear going into this industry?”
A: “To be honest, I don’t really have any fears. I just don’t want to be portrayed incorrectly, have the wrong image, or stereotyped but of course it comes with the job.”
Q: “What kind of salary are you looking for?”
A: “I’m looking to be established as I mentioned before. I, of course want to be able to support myself, have my own car, house and be able to maintain it all.”
Q: “What heights do you plan on reaching in this industry?”
A: “I plan on becoming a well-known figure in the industry. I want to have endorsements and deals that are so signature that when you think of a brand you see my face. I want to make my mark and be remembered. I want to be on all notable mens magazines and work my way up.”
Q: “OK! So now we will move into another portion of questioning. What kind of guys are you attracted to? Does he have to be a rapper, pro-athlete or celebrity?”
A: ”Hmmm…I see you’re trying to put me on the spot! Haha! I feel that anyone who is career driven and is succesful at what they do is someone I would be attracted to. I want someone who is going in the same direction as I am. It does not necessarily mean they have to be the cliché of what a model would want to date IE; a basket ball player or a rapper.”
Q: “How would a guy that was trying to get your attention approach you?”
A: ”It has to be spontaneous as well as respectable. I don’t like being insulted and I think everyone knows what im talking about and feels the same way. I think I can better explain with this example: If you’re going for a corporate position you would not approach the CEO of the company with club attire or slang.”
Q: “What is your opinion of the perfect first date?”
A: “A quiet place where we can really get to know each other. I believe you should always try to make a good first impression and start with stable groundwork so deep conversation is ideal.”
Q: “Where do you see yourself five years from now?”
A: “I see myself with the ground work already set for my career. I am currently a full-time student so I see myself finished with my masters in philosophy and as a PhD candidate. I also see myself making bigger moves with my career taking the necessary steps I need to permanently get my face on brands or endorsements.”
Strengths & Skills
“My strengths and skills are dancing, drawing, writing. I am good at poetry and creative writing pieces too.”
Love & Hate
I love it when the sun is out
I love it when I can sleep in
I love it when I have food
I hate it when people are quick to give up
I hate it when it rains
I hate it when my hair gets wet
Extra-Curricular Activities
Ongoing community service and volunteer work.
Closing Remarks: “I found Marika to be very ambitious but also very level-headed. She didn’t seem like someone who was trying to break into this business at all, but rather like someone who was exactly where they wanted to be. Like she had a strategy for being where she is right now. Talking with this young woman was great because she is approachable, witty, genuine and determined; not to mention sexy! Haha” -J.R. Yussuf
