Check out our interview with stunning Model, Entrepreneur & Humanitarian Jordan Emanuel who has an impressive resume, holding titles including Playboy’s 2019 Playmate of the Year and Miss Black America New York.
After completing her degrees in Broadcast Journalism, Music Business and Art History from the University of Miami, Jordan has gone on to contribute to numerous outlets under media powerhouses Cox Media Group and Moguldom Media Group. In addition, Jordan has starred in campaigns for top brands such as Cover Girl, Rimmel London and American Express and is also known in the entertainment space as a famed DJ, having hosted top industry events.
Jordan has a philanthropic spirit and uplifting energy, both leading to her position as Co-Founder of Women’s Non-Profit Organization, Women With Voices. Within this organization Jordan focuses on two main initiatives – Mental Health Awareness and Sexual Education & Liberation. As a woman who has first hand experience with depression and anxiety, Jordan is passionate about bringing attention to and creating mental health programs geared to assist those with their struggles. In addition, she serves as an advocate for the multi-dimensional woman who can be comfortable in their sexuality while simultaneously being a business woman.
Follow Jordan @jordy_jor
Describe yourself in 3 words?
Witty, thoughtful, loyal.
Name one your strengths?
I am Extremely self-aware.
Best advice ever given?
You’re always going to cause traffic when creating a new lane. Meaning when you’re forging a path unknown there will be chaos, gossip, and haters, but keep going because it’s your path to create.
Who has been the biggest influence on your life?
I don’t think there is a one person who has had an influence it’s been a joint effort between my parents and grandparents.
How and when did you start into modeling?
5 years ago when I was doing a birthday shoot with a friend.
What is fun and rewarding about modeling? And what is not?
Meeting new people every time you’re on set. The constant rejection.
What did you learn from your biggest failure?
Don’t do that again ????
The most important thing when you are shooting is?
The music playing in the background sets the entire mood.
Tell us about your experience to be named Playboy’s 2019 Playmate of the Year and Miss Black America New York? That’s amazing. Congrats!
Thank you, I think like most experiences where you get to meet a group of new people that are aligned with your energy the experience is always rewarding and ended up with a lot of new, amazing friends.
What’s your advice for the newer models?
Just to believe in themselves and to stay strong in their aspirations, you’re going to get rejected on a regular basis so you have got to stay clear about why you are in the industry and what you want.
What would say are the greatest lessons you learned so far in this business?
That networking and following up with people you’ve worked with is essential. When you nourish your genuine connections with people on set or whatever the case maybe it helps nourish you as a person and in your career. For example my makeup artist and I just have a natural positive energy toward each other so after they did my make up multiple times I would always reach out and request them, eventually we became very good friends and have also helped each other get jobs/shoots.
Now tell us about your 844SWIM swimwear brand?
I love love love swimwear and year after year I kept yearning for designs and structures that were nowhere to be found. So I figured I couldn’t be the only one looking for what I was envisioning and from there 844SWIM was born.
What are the challenges you face as a fashion designer?
People assume that because it’s my first line, that that means I don’t know anything and thus attempt to take advantage of the situation, it can be very frustrating.
What inspired your latest collection?
It wasn’t inspired by anything other than wanting these specific silhouettes
What book should every entrepreneur read?
I think every human, entrepreneur or not should read ‘ The Four Agreements”
Tell us about your Women’s Non-Profit Organization “Women With Voices?” Why did you decided to create this organization and where can we get more information about it?
We wanted to create an environment that highlighted a diverse community bonded over just being women in the same space. Amazing things happen when women of different backgrounds come together and learn from each other. My specific initiatives focus on mental health awareness and coping mechanisms as well as sexual education and liberation. For more information our website is https://www.womenwithvoices.info and our instagram is @womenwvoices
What actor/actress/model do you admire the most, and why?
Taraji P Henson has such an amazing story and I really admire her dedication to her craft
What’s next for Jordan Emanuel in 2021?
Launching 844SWIM, continuing my podcast, Amplified with Jordan Emanuel and as always I have a few other surprises up my sleeve.
Which magazine or project is still on your bucket list?
Cosmopolitan and Harpers Bazaar
In five years from now, where do you see yourself and your career?
I see myself moving from print work to hosting, which is actually what I want to school for and has always been my goal, I just love talking to people and would am working to gear my career towards on air talent. Personally, in 5 years I see myself married building a life with my husband and continuing to master my happiness as an individual
Now talking about Instagram, can you share some tips for keeping your account interesting?
I actually need some advice myself because I don’t think my Instagram is interesting enough!
You are followed by so many people. How do you feel about that pressure of always doing the right thing, and encourage people to follow their dreams?
I don’t have any feelings toward it to be honest. I just am authentic to myself and my following gets that- flaws and all
I bet you get millions of it, but what are the best and worst Instagram DM pickup lines you received so far?
They are all absolute trash, I cannot stand being hit on in my DMs if we don’t know each other already.
If you are a book, what would be the title of the book and why?
It would have to remain untitled for now, I still have so many chapters to write I have no idea how to sum up what’s yet to come!
What is your favorite healthy food?
Bell peppers
And your favorite cheat food?
Potato anything and everything
What is your own definition of happiness?
When I finally free myself from talking to or about myself so negatively
How would your best friend describe you?
I asked her and she said she’d describe me as an old soul, loyal, deeply creative and probably one of the most driven people she knows.
Who is your biggest beauty inspiration?
It depends what I’m doing or where I’m going, but generally speaking Aaliyah, Rihanna, or Beyoncé,
If you could meet someone living or dead, who would it be and why?
My great grandmother (my grandpas mom) because she birthed my favorite human and I’d love to pick her brain
What would be the dream holiday, and who would you go with?
Probably Greece, either with my girls for a girls trip or my future baby daddy where ever he is.
What do you like to watch on Tv?
I love thrillers and dramas recently I’ve been watching Start up and Cruel Summer
What music do you like?
I like a bit of everything
3 things you can’t leave home without?
SPF, chapstick and hand sanitizer
Idea of a perfect Sunday?
Sleeping in and then going to a boozy brunch
Where we can follow you?
@jordy_jor on Instagram and TikTok
Quote: c’est la vie
Holiday Destination: Hawaii
Drink: Lemonade or Moet
Celebrity Crush: Charlie Hunnam
Favorite song? Why? Drowndeep Hula by Maxwell or Talking Heads This must be the place because they make my soul happy
Sports Team: Ravens
Movie: What Girls Learn
