This month’s Nine9 Featured talent is Sheyenne from New York. Sheyenne Joined Nine9 last summer and has been a model of dedication to the craft. She has been an example of where hard work can take you. We are very proud to introduce you to one of our favorite Nine9ers, Sheyenne!
What was your favorite casting experience with Nine9?
Ooh, that’s a tough one because I’ve been to quite a few castings
through Nine9 and honestly they’ve all been a
positive casting experience. But I would have to say “Walk
Fashion Show” Literally 2 weeks after I signed with Nine9 I
got the casting call for “Walk Fashion Show” for New York
Fashion Week. I went and because I had my Nine9 comp
card I didn’t have to wait in such a long line. My number was
95. I walked in a room full of designers and they started
asking me about my dress size, height, and shoe size. I left the
room and 30 seconds later they called my number in back
into the room and they said, “Congratulations you are
walking in the show” That was such a happy moment for me
because this was going to be my first runway walk. I walked
for Naurah USA. I became close with the designer Ayesha. I
also made a lot of new model friends. This was in September
2018. I did “Walk Fashion Show” again in Feb 2019. It was
exactly the same process, made lots of new friends again.
And this year I walked for Saptaparna and Lord Andrew
Couture.
What was your first ‘big break’ and how did it come about?
My first big break would have to be getting signed as Head
Model for Kavviar Couture. I found a casting call from
“Kavviar” that they were looking for one model to be the
face of their clothing brand. I thought to myself, “Ok this is
going to be an open call which means a lot of girls are going
to audition, so my chances of getting picked is very low but
I’ll try anyway” So I went, I showed them my runway walk,
and showed them how I can model in front of the camera
for when I have a photo-shoot. And that’s it– they picked me.
I was surprised; I couldn’t believe they picked me. I was
running up against 500 models. Now I’m going to Miami to
do a Kavviar Photoshoot. And I’ll be going to Hawaii to walk
in “Kauai Fashion Week” for Ahmad Couture and Kavviar.
What would you say is your biggest achievement so far and
why?
Graduating from The New School of Jazz and Contemporary
Music in May 2018 with a Bachelors degree in Vocal
Performance. Education and graduating from a University is
very important; four years of school is hard work and is a
commitment. I feel this is my greatest achievement so far.
How do you like to stay fit/active?
Funny enough my parents are actually fitness trainers. So
health and exercise was implemented in my household since
I was born. I was a competitive swimmer for 10 years. I use
to go to school, swim 2 hours with my swim team, go home
do homework, and right after my Dad would train me late at
night at the gym with specific workouts to make me a strong
and fast swimmer. I use to do this every day. Now I’m a
singer and a model. I’m still swimming, and I workout at
the gym according to my Dad’s exercise programs he gives
me. I also eat healthily, I make sure I eat my fruits and
vegetables and I’m a big protein girl. I don’t care for bread
that much so I don’t consume a lot of carbs, which is always
a bonus point I guess.
What’s your favorite food?
Red meat!!! I just love meat!! Steaks, lamb chops, burgers,
T-Bones. As long as it’s red meat I’m down!!
Any advice for people wanting to start acting/modeling?
Just do it! If you want it so bad, do it! There are lists of
amazing agencies in New York who have open calls. Go to all
the open calls, because you never know if the agency is looking for
your look. You could be the next “Look” it’s important to not
get discouraged if you go to a modeling casting and they
don’t pick you. It has nothing to do with you personally, it’s
just that you weren’t the look they were looking for, at the
moment. The best part is you can always go back to the
same agency open call again, but give it 3-6 months before
you go in. Seasons change and they are always looking for
new faces. Another important thing that I learned from my
modeling coach, Mandy Dyonne, is that your Instagram has
to be model proof. Does the picture you post make you look
like a model or no? You can get scouted from Instagram
through an agency and get signed. “W Talent NYC” found me
online, interviewed me in person, and signed me.
Have you ever been to a photo shoot with Nine9? What
was it like?
Yes! I worked with Rex Lott Photography! It was such an
amazing experience. Rex is an incredible photographer and a
happy, vibrant person. Rex’s personality gives you a boost of
confidence in yourself. Bridie Coughlan has magic hands and
I just want to take her home with me! I absolutely loved the
way she did my makeup for my photo shoot. She really
brought my natural beauty out, without too much makeup.
And the way she styled my hair was very Sheyenne. I love
her! I love Rex! I love the team!!
What’s song best describes you?
Hmm, that’s a good question…I would say, “I’m A Woman”
by Koko Taylor because I consider myself a fierce woman.
What would you be if you weren’t an actor/model?
Well, I’m a professional, studied singer. So yeah… singing
hahaha.
What do you like doing in your free time?
Other than singing and working out, I like to watch TV and eat
chocolate and ice cream. Specifically, I watch, “Friends”
What Nine9 program do you feel you’ve benefited from the
most?
The Nine9 workshops. Every workshop I go to, I see my old friends
and I make new friends! Plus the classes are amazing and
professional. I always learn new things and I love the teachers.
What is your favorite outfit to wear to auditions?
Lately, I’ve mostly been going to model castings so for that you
have to wear all black, and natural looking face and hair. I don’t
mind wearing all black because in general, I like wearing black and
when I perform as a singer my go-to is usually all black. But I do
love colors. So when I go to a singing audition I wear colors, a
good about of makeup and I wear my hair big and curly!
What is your routine going into an audition? What do you
prepare?
For modeling: I practice my walk either with my modeling coach
and/or by myself at home with the knowledge I have, a few days
prior. I sometimes practice the night before.
Singing Auditions: I have my lead sheet printed out. I practice
singing the song, and I plan out the road map so that when I go
into the audition I can explain the road map to the pianist in 2
seconds. I do this usually 4 days prior and the night before.
For both Modeling and Singing, I always stretch before I go into an
audition. It’s important for your body to be relaxed. And of course
I warm up my voice.
If Nine9 could set you up with a dream role/gig, what would
it be?
Please put me in a professional wedding band. That’s all I want
right now. I want to perform weekly as a singer with a big band.
Keep up with Sheyenne!!!
Instagram: @sheyenness
Facebook: @sheyenness
YouTube: Sheyenne Semann
Sound Cloud: https://soundcloud.com/sheyenne-semaan
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