"TODAY HER CLIENTELE RANGES FROM BRITNEY SPEARS, OUTKAST TO MISSY ELLIOT. MOST RECENTLY IN 2006, SKY NELLOR PERFORMED @ MISSY ELLIOT’S GRAMMY PARTY @ MOOD IN LOS ANGELES AND PLAYBOY MAGAZINE’S SUPERBOWL PARTY IN DETROIT WITH KANYE WEST. SKY NELLOR PERFORMED AT ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY’S 2005 PRE-EMMY PARTY IN LOS ANGELES AND MISSY ELLIOT’S 2005 VMA PARTY IN MIAMI. ALSO IN 2005 SKY WAS TAPPED TO PERFORM AT A PARTY FOR THE WORLD MUSIC AWARDS IN LAS VEGAS AND THE BILLBOARD MUSIC AWARDS WITH KANYE WEST. ONE OF HER MOST NOTABLE PERFORMANCES REMAINS THE GIORGIO ARMANI/VANITY FAIR WALK OF FAME EVENT WHERE SHE PERFORMED ONSTAGE WITH OUTKAST FOR OVER 3 HOURS.  THERE, WITH SKY NELLOR PROVIDING THE SOUNDTRACK, GIORGIO ARMANI WAS AWARDED THE FIRST EVER HOLLYWOOD STAR PRESENTED TO A FASHION DESIGNER... "
  
In hopes of learning more about "What makes the Great So Great," STRIVE took the opportunity to ask Sky a few questions about her and her flourishing career.
 

STRIVE: What do you do? and how have you worked so hard that you are a STRIVER?
SKY: I do whatever I can in this crazy world...and most importantly what makes me happy!!! So most nights you will find me at some event or club sweating it out in the DJ booth.
  
STRIVE:   How did you get started? Is djing something you always wanted to do?
SKY: I was dared to spin one night because I complained about how so many DJ's suck!!! Good music is everything to me.... so getting the opportunity to play what I love and getting paid for it is crazy!!!
  
STRIVE: Who influenced you the most in your career/life when you were starting out?
SKY: My dad, he gave me a ton of his records and wished me well.
  
STRIVE: What jobs did you hold before this?
SKY: Well I started modeling when I left school...then a bunch of DJ and TV gigs came about so I just went with it....and so far 
so good.

  

STRIVE: What advice would you give others attempting to make their dreams come true?
SKY: Explore every avenue, break down every door and don't be scared...Believe in yourself and your worth.
  
STRIVE:  "Making IT" is not definitive, yet when will you consider yourself as having made it?
SKY: Never. There are always a zillion other things I want to do.... But I am content with what's happening right now...
  
STRIVE: When you are hiring new talent, what do you look for?
SKY: Someone tall, creative and intelligent... And I am hiring now....ha ha. (Sky is single at the moment so she answered this question with a slight twist)
  
STRIVE: What is the first thing you think of when you wake up in the morning and what is the last thing you think of at night.
SKY: Um, well this morning I wondered what day it was... And last night I kept thinking I have to answer these questions as soon as I get up!!!
  
STRIVE: What do you know for sure?
SKY: That I'm a lucky, lucky girl.

STRIVE: Is there anyone's path that you particulary admire and would like to emulate?
SKY: I admire anyone that is not afraid of hard work... folks who do it with drive and determination. Anyone that takes chances!!
  
STRIVE: What makes YOU original? Sets you apart? Why are you on top of your game?
SKY: No idea man. Damn. I am just blessed to get to do what I do.....
STRIVE: What's next, and what can the STRIVE readers do to support you.
SKY: Come out and represent!! STRIVERS are always welcome. But please RSVP first: With guest dj's like Q-tip, Pete Rock, Questlove and Cassidy, it gets bananas at the door.

you may not know her name, but trust me you have 
seen her everywhere; billboards, magazines, commercials 
(you name it and she is the lead). With so many advertising 
campaigns, magazine spreads and just plain 'ol great work 
under her belt, the Texas native has managed to make a 
very comfortable life out of modeling and acting. 
  
Sheryl to me is a quiet superstar STRIVER: She does her 
work, Get's Paid Big for doing what she loves and has 
managed to be very successful in what many consider 
a vicious profession "that turns young folks out". 

STRIVE had the opportunity to sit with Sheryl and discuss 
her career and what sets her apart; helping her rise to the top.


STRIVE: What do you do and why? and how have you done 
it so well that you are a STRIVER?
Sheryl: I am a professional model and actress. I feel that 
the standard of beauty in America is so distorted. As a 
brown-skinned African American woman I am able to show 
that beauty is more diverse than the typical Blonde. I really 
want little girls to see images that are reflective of the full 
spectrum of our culture and inspire them to feel good about 
themselves.I am a striver because I came into a business 
that pays Black Models less, takes fewer Black models per 
agency, and don't use Black models as frequently in 
mainstream advertising. I have been striving to elevate my 
career as a model, teach new aspiring models the business 
of modeling, and maintain a sense of normalcy and self 
esteem that this business so often tries to strip 
away. 

STRIVE: How did you get your start?
Sheryl: I started modeling after becoming a finalist in 
Essence Magazines Cover Model Search contest. 
I didn't win but it peaked my interest and after 
college I called a local agency in Dallas (my hometown) 
and they signed me. 

STRIVE: Where can we see your work?
Sheryl: Not many people know me but I was the face of Mizani Hair Systems for 
seven years,I have graced the covers of close to twenty magazines and book 
covers such as EBONY, Heart & Soul, BE-Black Elegance, Essence Total 
Makeover and more. I am one of a few African American models to land both a 
coveted makeup campaign(Black Opal Cosmetics) as well as several prestigous 
Hair advertisement campaigns for L'Oreal and Clairol. I started doing 
commercials a few years ago and I've already done close to thirty including 
Dove, Southwest Airlines, Coke, and Nike. I have worked with Directors Spike 
Lee, Alan Hughes and photographers like Albert Watson, Walter Chin, Joyce 
Tenneson, and Arthur Elgort.I have had a pretty great run. I am blessed. 
Right now I have this big nationwide campaign for Guiness Extra Stout. 
The billboards are all over the place.If your ever on 125th and St. Nicholas 
in Harlem check one of them out . And I have the cosmetics campaign for 
Black Opal Cosmetics, a national print ad for Vaseline, a national ad for 
State Farm, a national Ad Campaign for womens health that is print and 
television, acouple of other commercials, a short film project, and several 
other national advertisements. I really want to get into television hosting 
so I am taking classes at The Upright Citizens Brigade to perfect my improv 
technique. 


STRIVE: What advice would you give others attempting to make their dreams come true?
Sheryl: My advice for people aspiring to become models are to study magazines and 
commercials to really see the movements and styles of current models This 
will help you to learn the trends in fashion,makeup,models of-the-moment, 
and you can familiarize yourself with the photographers that are working. 
You should get a legit agent that doesn't charge a fee. Also learn to save 
from the beginning of your career, seek alternate streams of income to 
maximize your earning potential, and always remember that you are your own 
business. Lastly, don't take no for an answer and be nice to everybody. 
Today's assistants are tomorrow's agents. 

STRIVE: What's next for you?
Sheryl:I hope to transition into television hosting,do more televison and films, 
and start a non-profit organization for young women ages 7-16 to help 
empower them and give them a forum to voice their thoughts on everything 
from peer pressure,bullying,body image,sexual health and wellness, and drug 
and alcohol abuse as well as create exposure to art, music,cultural 
activities, financial planning,career paths, and goal setting. 

STRIVE: As young professionals, entrepenuers and artists, what should we (Strivers) 
consider, ponder (while making our dreams comes true?
Sheryl: We should strive to achieve even more than we can conceive 
but do it without comprimising our dignity, morals, and soul. Like Dave 
Chapelle said "Name your price when you get in so when it gets to high you 
will know when to stand your ground or walk away." 

Support Sheryl as she continues to rise to the top. 
 
For bookings or even simple modeling questions contact: sheryl@strivemagazine.com 



article by: nook@strivemagazine.com