Who:
Jaden Clemons — @jadenclemons_ — American from Carrollton, Texas, USA — born October 7th — 186 cm / 6’1″ — he/him.

Where:
RHSEVEN (New York – mother agency), Two Management (New York)

— If you were to choose a song that symbolizes this current phase of your life, what would it be and why?
I would have to choose the song “On Track” by Tame Impala. To me, On Track is about the thoughts & perspectives that follow the challenges of self-actualization. Some thoughts are negative, some comparative, many beautiful, and others terrifying. But through it all, it’s up to you to choose your perspective, and I’ve come to know that perspective truly is everything. This song symbolizes my current phase of life because I’ve just entered my 20s, and I’m stoked to explore a multitude of endeavors this next decade while maintaining the perspective that if I am myself 24/7, then I will always be on track.

— How did you become a model?
My mother agent discovered me through Instagram and, I went on to show him that I was serious about this industry through dedication to my development. It is worth noting that, like anything else in life, I REALLY became a model when I told myself I was a model and by entering the mind state of a model.

— What’s an essential part of your daily routine?
Meditation, without a doubt! Meditation is essential to maintain the level of attention needed to conquer each day! Personally, meditation also helps me understand and flow with my ADHD, making it undetectable and out of the way (most of the time, lol).

Who:
Jasaya Neale — @treegod__ — American from Kansas City, Missouri, USA — born November 18th — 183 cm / 6’0″ — he/him.

Where:
Ricky Michiels Management (New York – mother agency)

— What are 3 interesting facts about you?
I taught myself to skate when I was 9 years old. I also taught myself how to draw and paint around the same time. lastly, I’ve been having dreadlocks my entire life .

— Share a bit about your background and upbringing.
So, I grew up in a big household of 5 brothers and 3 sisters, and right under the middle child. There never was a dull moment as a kid. My mother is American, and my father is from Trinidad & Tobago, so I would spend a lot of time with my Caribbean grandmother, who I would say made me the person I am today.

— What’s a favorite book/movie/TV show, and why do you love it?
My favorite book would have to be The Notebooks of Sonny Rollins, simply because of the love I have for jazz and its biography of a jazz musician’s life.

Who:
Rain Alexandra — @hirainalex — American from Atlanta, Georgia, USA — born November 6th — 175 cm / 5’9″ — she/her.

Where:
Select Model Management Atlanta (mother agency)

— Tell us about your hometown.
I’m from Atlanta, Georgia, down in the southeast of the United States. Even though it’s a southern city, it doesn’t really fit the typical southern stereotypes. There’s so much diversity, culture, and talent here, and the opportunities are endless. That’s what I love most about it! The one downside though is the traffic. If you don’t have a car, getting around can be a struggle, and public transportation isn’t the greatest.

— An issue or cause you are passionate about:
I’m really passionate about equality in opportunity; everyone should at least have the chance to work toward success. Growing up, I loved tennis, but there were times I had to miss practice for months because my parents just couldn’t afford it. Once I got older, I started volunteering as a tennis coach to offer affordable lessons for kids from families who might not otherwise be able to afford them. It’s my way of making sure more kids get the chance to pursue something they love, just like I did.

— One thing people may be surprised to find out about you:
I finished high school in France, and because of that, I speak French fluently!

Who:
Taylor Roberts — @taylormroberts_ — American from Kansas City, Kansas, USA — born June 16th — 178 cm / 5’10” — she/they.

Where:
JAG Models (New York), Mother Management (St. Louis – mother agency)

— One thing people may be surprised to find out about you:
I write my own poetry, though I’ve kept it under wraps—no one’s seen it, not even my friends. It’s a passion of mine that I’ve yet to fully share with the world. One of my New Year’s resolutions was to finally release my work into the wild, so who knows? Maybe one day soon, you’ll get to experience my poetic genius (or at least be mildly entertained). Stay tuned!

— What’s a favorite book/movie/TV show, and why do you love it?
One of my favorite books is The Cost of Knowing, which I first read in high school, and its impact has stayed with me ever since. The story explores the emotional weight of Black children who are forced to mature far too quickly in the face of systemic challenges. In particular, it highlights how issues such as racism and police brutality often rob Black youth of their innocence, compelling them to navigate a world where they are judged and treated differently because of their skin color.

— An issue or cause you are passionate about:
I’m incredibly passionate about issues of race and justice, particularly when it comes to advocating for the rights and humanity of Black people. I firmly believe that the fight for racial equality isn’t just a moral obligation but a necessity for progress in our society. I feel a deep responsibility to engage in conversations about race, amplify Black voices, and stand against systemic oppression that continues to affect so many communities. The ongoing struggle for justice isn’t just about acknowledging history but about working to shape a future where Black people are not only seen and heard but also given the opportunity to thrive. It’s a cause that fuels me, and it’s something I’ll always fight for.

Who:
Tru Annafi — @truannafi — American/Ghanaian from Chicago, Illinois, USA — born November 22nd — 178 cm / 5’10” — she/her.

Where:
Ford Models Chicago (mother agency), Ford Models (New York), Ford Models Paris, Ford Models Barcelona, Ford Models LA (Los Angeles)

— What’s a story your family/friends like to tell about you?
My mom likes to tell the story about how I got into ballet. Apparently there was a party at the house when I was 3 and I guess I started to dance in a way no one has taught me before. Everyone including my parents were shocked by the way I was moving. My mom decided to put me in dance classes and that’s when I learned ballet was my thing.

— If you were to choose a song that symbolizes this current phase of your life, what would it be and why?
Currently, the song “RUNITUP” by Tyler, the Creator resonates with me because I’m finding my own way in a big city. I want to continue to have more confidence in myself, to just be me, to just be Tru. I want to have a go-getter mentality because if I really want something, I should just go get it myself. I love the inspiring lyrics in the song, and every time I hear it, I get more and more motivated.

— How did you become a model?
I became a model during quarantine. I was in my ballet class on Zoom, and my sister came up with the idea to submit some photos online. I never thought about modeling before that; I was all about ballet. We took some quick photos in our living room on her phone and sent them to Ford. We got an email back about 2-3 days later, and here we are today!

Who:
Youel Teketel — @eyouelgt — American/Ethiopian from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia — born October 29th — 188 cm / 6’2″ — he/him.

Where:
Next LA (Los Angeles – mother agency), Next New York

— The most interesting thing about your family:
None of us are actually related! Once we were in America, very few of us had many actual relatives. Our parents all met each other and became such close friends and I was raised with their children being considered my cousins. Fast forward, they are still the family I see every holiday and are the people I rely on the most.

— What’s the scariest thing you’ve ever done?
Skydive. I had just turned 18, and the first legal form I signed was the skydiving waiver. I was zoned out the whole drive over to the complex because of fear, and the weight of what I was about to do didn’t hit until I was leaned over the door of the plane, strapped to someone else, way too late to back out of it. Then, the guy I was strapped to decided to do flips in the air. I remember feeling the most panic I ever had.

— What’s a favorite book/movie/TV show, and why do you love it?
It’s an old Japanese anime show called Great Teacher Onizuka. It’s about a 20-something-old teacher who is disliked by a lot of people, but he’s always true to himself. The students hate him at first, but over time, they see his authenticity as his best value. When I first watched the show as a kid, I watched it from the perspective of the students. As I grew up and came back to it, I saw myself understanding the teacher, so it took on a whole new meaning for me.