interview

Name:
Alton Mason

Agency:
METROPOLITAN / M MANAGEMENT (Paris)
MSA MODELS (New York)
PRM Agency (London)

Age:
19

Height:
6’2″

Instagram:
@altonmason

Place of Origin:
Arizona, USA

Ethnic Origin:
1⁄2 Jamaican, 1⁄2 Ghanaian

Birthsign:
Scorpio

How discovered:
I was discovered on Instagram, I was in LA at the time and I thought I was dreaming until I received the email requesting to fly me to New York the next week.

What was your first modeling job?
Yeezy Season 3

Favorite things:
I’m in love with dance. Michael Jackson is my hero. I’ve always enjoyed musical theatre and acting on film– Samuel L. Jackson is the blueprint. Hot Wings keep me alive. The story of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” is a reflection of myself.

What are you listening to at the moment?
Michael Jackson – Diana Ross – Al Green – Chaka Khan – James Brown – Erykah Badu – The Notorious B.I.G – Tina Turner – Donell Jones – Frank Ocean – Sade – LL Cool J

Favorite movie, tv show:
My favorite movie is “Love & Basketball”
My favorite show is “The Proud Family” and “The Boondocks”

Favorite designer, fragrance or beauty product:
Give me an Afro comb and coconut oil and consider the day saved.

What were you doing before modeling?
Before modeling, I was in LA– dancing and assisting the legendary choreographer and creative director, LaurieAnn Gibson. I’ve been working for her for 3 years now and I wouldn’t be the artist that I am today without her.

What would you be doing if you weren’t modeling?
I’d be somewhere in Cuba selling fruit–wearing a Jamaican net tank top, jean shorts, and the sandals your grandpa wears on a sunny day of barbecuing.

What’s something uncool that you love anyway?
The idea of falling in love. Today’s society consists of people who believe that trusting someone, having genuine feelings, and being loyal is all pointless. I’m stuck over here like “huh?!” I’m a hopeless romantic!

Favorite modeling experience so far?
My favorite modeling experience thus far would have to be shooting the “Gucci 2017” campaign in London. It was a full two weeks of dancing, laughing, eating and praying with artists who were just like me! The entire team treated us like family — royalty.

What’s the best thing about your hometown/country?
The best thing about Arizona is the landscape. I find beauty in the tones of brown in the desert mountains, the green cacti, and palm trees, and the sky is electric blue. Hot as hell & super serene.

Which brand would you really love to model for?
I really love working with Gucci; I’m hungry for Chanel, Balenciaga, Raf Simons, and Saint Laurent.

Place you would love to visit:
I would love to visit the Motherland. I have never been to Africa. My energy craves it. I plan on going there to receive a spiritual power that only my nature could produce.

Currently you’re obsessed with/about:
I am obsessed with Naomi Campbell. I first laid eyes on her in Michael Jackson’s music video “In the Closet”. Sometimes I feel as though Michael & Naomi birthed me. I’ve watched every interview, studied every runway show, I even listen to her album from time to time. I’ve been modeling for 1 year now and I have already gotten the opportunity to work with her twice and get personal insight from her. She smells like the richest oils of Egypt. What I admire the most is her activism on diversity, human rights, and equality. There’s nothing more magical– nothing more hypnotizing and comforting than a strong, black woman of power.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
My Great Grandma always told me, “Remember who you are. Be you. Don’t worry about what people say. People are going to talk about you whether you’re doing good or bad– the question is; ‘Are you something to be talked about?'”