KEIDDRICK / Episode 1

In our first audio episode, KEIDDRICK sits with us at the Menil Park to talk about modeling, acting, and his journey so far. Originally from Houston, KEIDDRICK takes us through his perspective on what makes someone creative, what it takes to be good in a cutthroat fashion world, and how to survive in the now.

Episode Transcript

(00:02):
It's Gregory and I'm here with...
Keiddrick.
How are you feeling today?
I am feeling good.
It's been a beautiful day so far.
I woke up and had brunch with my friend and now I'm here.
So, yeah.
Are you from Houston?
Yes, I am born and raised in Houston.

(00:23):
I grew up like the Belford-Cullen MLK area.
So south side I believe.
I'm also very bad at riverbikes.
with directions.
So yeah, and then I went to school out in Baytown called Chinquapin and then high schoolwas also here in Houston.

(00:45):
And then I went to school for college in Colorado.
Go Colorado College.
Okay then.
What we're talking today all about
As we do with everyone, creativity and what they're up to, but you're unique in thatyou're one of my newer friends, or a newer friend.

(01:09):
I think I met you last year.
But also, you're into fashion.
You're in fashion modeling and you're making it happen.
And that's the unique aspect of it.
You're actually pursuing it.
You're right in the middle of it, no?
Yeah, or beginning.
So yeah, I'm definitely in the beginnings.
I really want to say I've always thought about modeling.

(01:32):
People have always said, oh my god, you have the face for modeling, you have this formodeling, your personality's amazing.
All the juicy stuff that everybody wants to hear, right?
um And so for me, it was really hard to believe people.
But in my heart, was like, modeling is something that I want to do because I love fashion,because I love the community, and people appreciate art and art.

(01:56):
and fashion as an art, you know?
people you'll meet in it?
The people you'll meet in it, exactly.
Yeah, like Houston, like we do have an art scene here and, but I feel like...
It's not current.
And so for me, that's why I need to move locations.
But that's for another time, I guess.

(02:17):
ah But starting here, is there enough of a playground to start making things happen?
Absolutely.
Yes.
That's what's interesting to me.
And it's actually funny that you say that because before January, I was not embedded intothe community at all.
Like the fashion and like nothing, anything related to it, basically.

(02:38):
Um, cause I had just gotten back from Hawaii cause I had graduated this past May.
And so I was on my ocean views, like really reflecting, eating pineapple, like all the funstuff, but still reflecting, know, like trying to find the journey at the time.
My journey was I'm going to get my masters.
I'm applying to these major scholarships, which I will say just because I'm a modeldoesn't mean I don't have brains.

(03:03):
know that, you know, that's a stereotype.
I decided to get my education first.
And so because I can have a backup plan.
That's one of the things that caught my eye.
Also social is the way you're up to professionally.
Yes.
Job wise.
One thing about me, I love me some LinkedIn.
LinkedIn is my second social media right after Instagram.

(03:25):
Because it's important.
It's really important.
But yeah, so I was really determined.
I'm a semi-finalist for Fulbright, which is this major scholarship that
American students can get the opportunity to study abroad somewhere and study in thatcountry, but it's very competitive and I'm just waiting to hear back because Usually when

(03:49):
we it's usually around the time of politics when the president like it pushes everythingback Okay, so changing, you know the first hundred days But what the cinema is recording?
Yeah, I get my decision it's for McGill but no, so it was either academic be a scholar or
pursue my actual dream and live the life that I know I deserve and that I will be livingvery soon.

(04:13):
Okay, well you are too.
Yeah, different levels.
Yeah, different levels exactly.
Thinking about that's another thing like you have to...
So it's funny because I will say that a lot.
um I had a fortune cookie from like this Chinese restaurant and it said trust the processand right before that...

(04:34):
My had been telling me, my friend I yet, who my life changed because of her.
That's the reason why I am really involved in Houston, like especially the scenes.
um She is a very great networker, another interesting person you should talk to.
um And so, yeah, what was I talking about?

(04:55):
Sorry.
I'm just, mean, her bringing you onto the scene and learning more about it.
Yeah, so...
And just that you're making it happen.
Yeah, it's...
Once you really get that drive to do what you want to pursue, like, it'll immediatelyclick.
Like, I got my apartment, that was something that clicked.

(05:16):
I was like...
I toured one place, and when I toured it, I was like, this is the place for me.
So that's kind of how I go about a lot of things, which I guess you could say is a veryspiritual way of thinking.
Because I am trusting the process, but I'm also letting my mind think about and processeverything that I...

(05:37):
the choices that I'm making basically.
That's something I was gonna ask.
The vision is important to making it happen.
Yes.
So you...
how long have you been working on this division?
Is another...
if you just graduated, you know, within the past couple years...
Right.
What was the moment?
You even mentioned your friend getting, like, helping you.

(05:57):
Yeah.
What was that moment that had you...
willing to do the process, trust the process, persevere.
Or what you said, I'm gonna try it.
Yeah.
I'm gonna do it.
It was when...
Yeah, it was when I met Aiyah, because she actually asked me this question when we were inthe Galleria, which I had not been to the Galleria in like six years.

(06:21):
And we went there and I was like, I remember why I do not like the Galleria.
It's a theme park, basically.
Yeah, yeah.
And we were just like yapping.
And she was like...
I'm gonna make six figures.
Okay.
What like I don't know like and you are too actually like the way like that interactionhappened was literally like that.
She brought you along with her.

(06:42):
Yeah, she was like no you're making like you're gonna make six figures like that's not anoption and I'm like that's a great mindset to have but you know I don't know like I at the
time I was really scared to pursue modeling because I now have bills to pay like I haveall these things to worry about.
And people say your 20s are the best thing of your life.

(07:04):
That's some bullshit.
Like you will go through it, but it's okay.
Like this is going to be, I think the age where you really decide.
I'm 24.
So it's going to really decide.
you're gonna start making more important decisions basically.
And you're gonna think life is really hard, but at the end of the day, wherever you wannaget to, you're gonna make the right decision.

(07:28):
At least that's my mindset.
Because every decision I'm making is very intentional now.
And I think intention, everyone should do things with intention.
Because if you do things with intention, they become permanent.
It'll make your vision happen.
It'll make your vision happen.
Time full circle, time that right back to your question.
In one of my classes that I took, shout out to Omar and Neil Hamill, great, like I wasabout to say professor, see, I'm still a student.

(07:58):
Great teacher.
He basically was like, practice makes what?
And everybody in the room said something different.
I not, everyone said- What did you say?
I said progress.
I said progress, practice makes, cause that's how my mind used to think.
Gotcha.
Right?
And he was like,
No guys, practice makes permanent.

(08:21):
You're right, because when you want something, you want to achieve something, you're goingto practice it.
You're going to practice it.
Basketball, any sport, football, volleyball, tennis, the professionals, practice all thetime.
But they also know when they need rest.
You're going to like this.
I didn't like it at the time, actually, when I first heard this.
I think considering where we are now, how long it's been, or maybe it's because the girlwho I heard say it for the first time was just a bitch.

(08:47):
But we were sitting down and somebody said practice makes perfect.
And she put her hand up and stomped on everything and said, no, practice doesn't makeperfect.
Perfect practice makes perfect.
I was like, whoa.

(09:08):
She ate that up.
ate that up.
Because she knows what she's talking about.
See, then that's a woman.
that I know is successful and she knows that she's successful.
And the only reason why is because to have a demanding and powerful statement as such, youhave to live by it.
You have to live by it.
She was something else and I'm sure she is successful.

(09:29):
I don't know where she is now exactly.
Don't even need to know her.
Exactly.
stamp has been made.
Shout out to her if you're listening to this.
Shout out to her.
You know who you are.
Oh man, and just so everyone who's listening at home or in the car, wherever you are, knowwe're at the park right now.
I chose it specifically for today being beautiful.

(09:51):
You I wanted some birds in the background, things like that.
Yeah, the alarms going off in the background, welcome to Houston.
It's always happening somewhere.
Yeah, something busy is happening for sure.
But yeah.
This is, I guess, are we in, like near central midtown area?

(10:13):
Montrose?
That too.
Midtown Montrose.
Midtown Montrose.
Midtown Montrose.
Which Montrose is the best spot in Houston, hands down.
Yes.
I'm hoping that people listening to this know about Montrose in the area or want to gocheck it out or that people from this area get to hear different people who would like

(10:34):
Montrose.
Yeah.
mean, from them and hear from them too.
Montrose also otherwise known as the gayborhood by the way I am a homosexual go homos I'malso black you'll see a picture of me it's right there it's pretty so nice yes but
Montrose is the gayborhood but it also has a lot of the creative scene so before I livedin Montrose I lived in the memorial area and

(11:07):
making and that's not even like a crazy drive you know it's like maybe a 20 25 minutedrive depending on traffic literally just depending on traffic but i have friends who
travel from spring now shout out to all the springers because i yet was a springer likecasual my friend kaysia is humble like we know a lot of people who travel to houston just
to get that social aspect that i feel like that's i would too oh yeah absolutely icouldn't find me out there living in the first place yeah exactly i'm a city girl

(11:34):
I don't know that about me that I'm really baked into the city.
Yeah, I just to throw it out there cuz I don't ever mention it I got some country to me.
My mom's from Hitchcock, Texas never heard of I Walked the streets, you know, I need themyou you know that song Texas son.
Mm-hmm Like buddy, what's the band name?

(11:56):
Texas?
It's by it's a Houston band.
I just found this out the other day and I love them So if you are from Houston, you knowwho I'm talking
I do want to get all in it to music and creativity and...
And tying it back to Montrose, Montrose is the spot for that.
You'll even go to the music district, but you won't get the modern, new...

(12:22):
You won't be part of the history that's being made.
You're part of the history that was already here.
For the music district specifically.
Do you feel empowered when you're in this area?
I moved to Montrose for a reason.
Like if I were to live in Houston, I would only live in Monchos, potentially the Heights,potentially.
But that's more settling down and I am 24.

(12:42):
And the part of it though is that you're pursuing the creativity and it's over here.
Yeah, exactly.
It's from fashion, but we also just went to the Menil, walked that, saw some amazing art.
And like I live right by all of these things.
Like one of the best coffee shops in Houston, Agora, is right down the street from me.
I can walk to it.
All the thrifting.

(13:03):
right here, ACB across the street.
Across the street.
Restaurants, to be nothing there too, so they made it more accessible.
Exactly.
You got no reason to not be around here.
And if you're not from Houston and you come to Houston, you know where to go.
Montrose is the spot.
And they're like, again, it's like aesthetics.
Like everybody has their own aesthetic.

(13:23):
For me, Montrose is my aesthetic.
It fits me very well.
So when I'm going to take pictures or if I'm doing anything related to modeling, Montroseis probably going to be...
where I am.
Unless I want to change my aesthetic, then I change the location that I'm in.
I go to the Heights, I go to River Oaks.
And that's another thing about social media.
Because, and this is something that I've been learning, like trying to really be myauthentic self.

(13:45):
So I'll take pictures in mantras, I'll take pictures in the Heights.
But it's also making sure that you're catching those casual moments with your friends.
know, being in the moment.
And my issue is I'm the camera friend.
I was always insecure.

(14:06):
I never thought that I was actually beautiful until my friends, the people that I surroundmyself with told me like you are fucking gorgeous.
Like why aren't you, why don't you see that?
And that's because you know, I have my traumas.
Everybody does.
No matter the level of it, it is.

(14:26):
And so those are also called insecurities.
But hearing it from people who I've made this person my friend, because now again, I'mvery intentional with my decisions now, especially when it comes to the people who I'm
inviting into my space.
Yes.
So because they're always encouraging, but we keep it very real with each other.

(14:49):
Like we're so honest with each other, people think we're like actually bitching at eachother.
It's hilarious.
But
You gotta check a bitch when you gotta check a bitch.
I don't care if you're my friend.
Well, if you're my mom, I would never check you.
um, but.
But that's authenticity.
Exactly.
Exactly.
And so, yeah, it's just going back to just being authentic and your friends allow you todo that.

(15:12):
That's true.
If you pick them right, at least.
It sounds like your friends too are really helping encourage and like you, you wouldn't behere now if it wasn't for them.
absolutely.
Simple as that.
Absolutely.
No, like.
My friend group, we are...
I don't want to put ourselves on a pedestal, but...
We're just the best people in Houston.

(15:34):
Like, we are amazing.
Like, we really are.
Because we're all very different, but we all go together.
Okay.
And we all keep each other accountable.
We all, you know, want...
We want what's best for each other.
And again, it goes back to being an individual.
Like, yes, you can be an individual still while supporting your...

(15:56):
And I think that's a family but the family really actually supports right around you ifyou're putting in the family aspect absolutely but I think when it comes to business and
Trying to be because again, like you said ultimately Mixing business you are you are abusiness in yourself because you have a job that job needs a skill that you have your
business You're getting paid to do something.

(16:17):
That's a business just because I'm a model.
Yes.
I'm that's my business Everybody's a business, but that's also a capitalist
capitalistic mindset so we don't necessarily like that.
But as a scholar, I'm like ill.
But as a human being who lives in reality, I need a check.
I'm so sorry.
It's balanced out with the input you provide in the world.

(16:39):
Right.
You want to make those six figures.
Yeah, I will be making that six figures.
But you also don't want to be an asshole.
You don't have to be.
You don't have to be.
Yeah, it's just American society specifically and the euro...
uh
I love your so Eurocentric ideas that they're like, you need money to be happy like like Iwill say there's some truth to everything that said and There's definitely truth to that.

(17:06):
But I know as someone who grew up poor who grew up with literally nothing I'veaccomplished so much and when you think about it It's not like an ego thing.
I'm talking my accomplishments.
My first one was graduate high school, right like
That was an accomplishment to me.
A lot of people out there, because of how they grew up, that's not an accomplishment,that's just a task.

(17:30):
Like, okay, done.
College, that's really the first time that I really ever cried.
I was like, this is something that I have been looking forward to since I was like nineyears old.
And I don't even know if we have time for this, but like, I'm adopted and I was adoptedwhen I was 15.
And so...

(17:52):
Before that, my mentor at the time, Blair, love you, she's also my mom.
She adopted me when I was 15.
And she was a teacher and I was her student at an after school program.
And I contacted CPS because my living situation was so bad I ended up having to call andcontact CPS because my life was so chaotic and so like...

(18:17):
It was never like, ah, you know?
So like, and this is another thing, like you don't know the stories behind people andthat's why, generically said, be nice to people because everybody has a story.
And that's what I'm trying, like being in this world, it's gonna be so much judgment.

(18:37):
And it's like, of course I'm gonna be pissed off on the highway in Houston, Texas becausea bitch just like cut in front of me.
But those, at the end of the day, gotta be like, did it really matter?
Unless you're like,
they injured you or like your car.
Circumstances, it depends on the circumstances.
Because they did not have the intention, tying it back to intention, they did not have theintention to do that.

(19:00):
But then even then that sort of takes like some practice to let go of things.
When I tell you I reflect a lot, but I'm also an over thinker.
Okay.
Like I'm hoping that you can, like, because I think very sporadically, so hopefully youcan pull all the things I've said together and make it one good thing on your project.
yeah, the conversation.
wonderful but also yes yeah I want people to go ahead and just it's not finding out theexact answers to all the questions and making sure you each point because what you got

(19:37):
where I got is very different and I just want to hear that story from everybody and that'sthe whole point of all this too is it's like okay what's the story that helps create the
person and then
What can you do, or what did you do in either side of that in order to make things happen?
Like how do you change things in your life?

(19:58):
I think a way of thinking about it, or at least you should think about it, is yes, we'remaking this podcast because we want people to really understand, like if they're trying to
make some type of change.
Right.
They're thinking like, oh, I need to change.
I, Kedrick, saying, or Kedrick said this.
Yes, Kedrick said this.
but I'm also doing the actions behind what I'm saying, right?

(20:20):
Yes.
And so once you get to kind of the goal that you want to get to, remember that it's a goaland again, it's going to take some time.
When I was reflecting in Hawaii, I wrote in a little journal, it was a cute little set, itsaid, baby girl, it was so cute, little journal, pink.

(20:42):
And I asked chat GBT, said, I need
seven questions to reflect on my life.
Give me seven questions to reflect on my life.
And the reason why I was doing this, because I'm also a researcher, one.
Two, I was applying to a scholarship that really wanted me to reflect.
And that, uh just to like plug it, it was called, actually, you're gonna answer somethingor whatever, I don't know.

(21:08):
Because the reason why I say that is because I was going in one direction and I turned anduh I'm doing something else now.
This was literally four months ago.
And so what I wrote in that journal.
pretty sudden for most people.
A lot of people won't even make the change over four months.
Right.
sense.
They can't do it.

(21:28):
Yeah.
And it's really just changing your mindset.
If you have, if your mindset is positive and in the direction you have the passion, youhave the drive, you have adaptability, you have characteristic to yourself or these types
of characteristics.
I think that makes for a successful person.
but that is also subjective.
what I wrote in the journal, I kept writing.

(21:51):
it was, yeah, so I was saying it was for that scholarship.
And- What did you get to?
What did you pull out of this reflection or these questions?
So one of them I realized, and I guess this is actually perfect because I just talkedabout it.
It took me...

(22:13):
five years to realize that I wasn't in the position that most kids were in.
at the time, so five years I'm aging it, I was like 10 or 11.
Like I was like 10, 11 and I'm like, I...
I'm There's something different about this life.
Like that I'm seeing random people on the street and they're like smiling all the time.

(22:38):
what is going on.
Context, my mother, she was also a drug addict, alcoholic, and we'll say it's raining men,the song thing, right?
my gosh.
But it the picture.
the picture, exactly.
Love her, I've forgiven her for a lot of things.
It's amazing.
Again, reflecting, I realized that I needed to for the best of me and for the best of her.

(23:03):
And we're in a great spot right now.
um
But all that to say it took five years for that and then another seven years to...
trying to push myself through college.
And I know it doesn't take seven years, but when you think about it and you're actuallyjournaling, you start sectioning off.

(23:28):
It doesn't have to be, and this is another thing, it doesn't have to be four years.
Oh, the reason why it's four years is because you did four years of college.
No, could have started before, it could have started after.
It's one of those things.
You could start that in your mid-20s or 30s.
But people don't.
Exactly.
Really, the only reason why I started to is because of this scholarship.

(23:49):
Because they were asking questions like, what are three things that you're currently happyabout?
Like was those type of, like, you know, random questions.
What's your favorite thing to do?
On a Sunday night.
Like it was random, know, something like that.
But you might not have thought about things in that way unless you got asked thequestions.

(24:10):
Right.
So when you ask questions, you get answers and you get more creative.
And that's another thing.
try to, like when someone asks me a question, I literally sit and process.
And again, Omar will tell you, he was asking questions and I gave him complex answers.
And he was like, I like the way you think.

(24:32):
So you don't always have to give an answer that you know, like that's, it's not necessary.
Everything's not black and white.
That's true.
So it's not a yes or no.
It's not a...
There's a process that can go into that.
And that is how you think.
And that's how you get creative.
When you actually do critical thinking, but also in an imaginative way.

(24:52):
Yes.
I wanted to ask that because it's like sometimes we can't do something unless we have areason to do it.
Obviously, when we think about something like reflection, self-help or self-optimization,self-acting.
Right, was like, where does that come from?

(25:14):
And...
Like to want to do self, help self, da da, like that mindset?
What's the motivation?
What's the motivation?
And nine times out of ten, it's actually something like money.
Yes, and I would say it definitely is money.
It was money.
It's hard to say.
It's hard to say that now.
It's hard to say.
Right, no, no, but I think it's hard to say that now because we're about to go into arecession, personally.

(25:37):
So of course money is going to be...
So first, like money is gonna be tight in like a couple of, know, whatever, a couple of,hopefully, If you're hearing this in 2026, we told you.
Yeah, we would have said something.
I mean, we're saying something right now.

(25:58):
Yeah, yeah, we're saying something right now.
I love it.
But yeah, I don't necessarily think...
What were you saying you said?
Talking about those questions.
like when you ask questions.
You know, those questions that you asked yourself and that reflection and how, you know,that's part of where you took, you made the pivot into where you're going now in that

(26:20):
direction.
yeah, I asking myself questions.
Yeah, it's just, ultimately you just need to reflect because people that don't reflect onthemselves, they're not changing.
They're just staying kind of static, which if that's lifestyle that you all live, amazing.
wow.
And it's not a negative thing, it's just people...

(26:43):
I personally think everybody can change and everyone will continue to change.
And some change lasts, I guess you would say forever for some people.
Because I feel like some people find something and they're Unless you change for theworse, then you're just like, okay, we don't want do all that.
We want to do all the way back.
But yes, you want it last forever.

(27:05):
And asking yourself, what it is you...
really want, right?
And I told myself, I really want, like, if you look at all my notebooks, because I have alot of them, because I'm, again, scattered brained, I just have, like, a list of agencies
that I would literally be like, any day, I will walk for them, I will model for them.

(27:28):
Wow.
And on my Instagram the other day, I literally put, and because they have this feature,like the notes now, and so it's been there a while, but I have, or I wrote,
I will walk for and then I Cohen, Shaparelli, Gucci and Ralph Lauren.
And the reason why I chose all three of those brands is because they all identify or Iidentify with all of those.

(27:53):
Shaparelli, I'm sleek.
I'm chic, but I'm abnormal in the sense of, you know how they use ears and face parts.
Like it's quirky, but it's also chic.
This is outside of the box in a certain way.
One foot is in the box, all other parts are outside of the box.

(28:13):
And I know that I'm very expressive because I used to do theater.
So I know if I'm going to walk for Schiaparelli, I'm going to give the best performance.
Because another thing about modeling, it's not posing.
I learned this.
It's not posing.
You're literally doing a performance.
It's movement.
Because you should be changing.
And the thing that they tell you in modeling all the time, don't.
come with the same face that's boring.

(28:34):
I'm like girl, what if some people have the same face?
Then you're not meant for modeling.
But everybody can change, right?
Like if people can change, you can change your face.
You get mad easily if someone cuts you off on the highway.
So why can't you get mad when a photographer tells you to?
Because you don't know how to perform.
So take some action classes.
And what do you do then?

(28:54):
So it just depends because I'm a music person.
So I'm going into a shoot.
depends on who the shoot is.
If I'm supposed to be like, you know, bad bitch energy, I'm gonna play Dochi.
Dochi has been my mantra.
So I have different artists too, like specifically black women artists, like Dochi, Tims,and my good girl Megan, like duh, like those are gonna be my prominent because they all

(29:20):
give me different energies, different embodiments of like a performance of what I'm goingto exhibit, if you will.
into the photo shoot.
The creative process needs it.
Yeah.
mean, it definitely helps it.
Yeah, no, absolutely.
And for me, like Dochi, she has really, like if you really listen to her lyrics for me,like she.

(29:42):
She's telling me what I need to hear.
Okay.
Like as an artist.
And she comes from Florida, guys.
I didn't know that.
Florida.
She's the swamp queen.
Oh gosh.
Her album cover is so intentional.
It's an albino alligator.
Oh.
The album I'm pretty sure is called Alligator.
Like yes I listened to the album through and through.

(30:02):
I'm looking at the imaginary camera.
Yeah and it's like green.
Have you seen the album color?
You're actually kind of matching it.
Nice.
We're wearing green.
Yeah, good color green.
But, and like, listen to her lyrics because if you're trying to be motivated by something,specifically if you're black, that's what I'm gonna say also.
Because not all white people get it.

(30:23):
Also, I'm half German, half black, so I can, ugh, we can't even go into that.
What part, my gosh.
Like them being mixed, like, cause that's another thing.
Also, it's light skin season, I'm just letting everybody know.
Ask anyone What does that mean?
Light skin, like-
It's light skin season like the Caucasians had their time the Asians had their time Youknow like everybody has their season.

(30:51):
Yes socially wise.
the light skinned brown people are our season.
You're about to like every year included like everybody who is light skinned Who has acomplexion?
It's the season.
Stay in the sun use sunscreen sunscreen is gonna be I can give you so many beauty tipsI've learned so much from my classes too
I want to know some more, but real quick, this is going to be controversial, but I like, Ilike being playing devil's advocate.

(31:17):
like talking about people and being able to sometimes exclude the idea of Caucasians orwhite people from what I'm talking about.
Like I'm talking about Hispanics.
I'm talking about Mexicans, Asians, black people, Indian people, right?
You know, but I would like to not even have to consider that group because I

(31:38):
So this...
Wait, you don't want to consider the Caucasian group?
I'm being funny, I'm satirical, I'm just kidding.
In a satire way.
I mean, that is...
Don't they get all the attention already?
They do!
Okay, this is so funny.
So I studied sociology, again, great background.
um Context, I mean, because I tend to not get context a lot.

(32:00):
Ask any of my friends.
I'll say something and they're like, what?
I'm like, right.
um
So I study sociology.
So the way my brain thinks, in my opinion, is very like realistic.
Okay.
However, I'm always optimistic.
Nice.
And I think the reason why it's important to be like open-minded, but also, you know, berealistic is like, that just means you're making logical decisions.

(32:29):
You're actually taking the time to think about something.
Because when I'm introducing myself to people and getting to know people,
I'm reading The Room and a lot of people don't read The Room.
And I think that's one of the issues with the white community.
They don't know how to read The Room.
They're privileged.
They're privileged enough to not have to.
They forgot.
And as someone who, and this is the kiki, this is the kiki, y'all.

(32:51):
As someone who was raised by a white woman, my biological mom and my adoptive mom arewhite.
I was born, I was like raised in the Latin community.
Not necessarily, like it was still the hood.
still black people but specifically I'll call them black Latinos.

(33:11):
Yeah.
I'll call them black Latinos not Afro Latinos black Latinos which that's anotherconversation in itself.
Okay.
But I mean if you're from Houston you kind of get the idea it's about like theneighborhood or where you're from that type of like the way they act and everything.
grew up with the Abuelas like I didn't grow up with like my Nana like.

(33:33):
I was not a Nana guy.
Yeah.
And so it was like, yeah.
And for me growing up, that was really hard because I was black.
Like, I actually didn't know my dad until I was 10.
And so believe it or not, I thought I just had special skin.

(33:54):
Like my mom was white.
I was like, I'm white.
And it took me until I was in maybe first or second grade.
Someone said some dumb shit.
Like you, I think they actually.
No, that was a different time.
School was crazy, that's all I'm gonna say.
they said some crazy shit and I was like, what?

(34:16):
That's crazy.
And so I asked my mom, was like, is my dad black?
Like what is, like Yeah, like how could she even make this joke or something?
Right, and my mom is very controversial.
Let's talk about it.
She says the N-word and she's a white woman.
Wow, that is ultra controversial.
The key part too, no for real.

(34:41):
The second part is she grew up privileged in Dallas, Texas.
Oh, okay, that explains a lot.
But she ran away and decided to get to know my father who is a like man, pitch black, likedark as night.
And they had me.

(35:01):
And so she was being like the runaway kid basically for her parents and so, but that'sanother story.
yes, I didn't know my No, I've never seen that moment with a white man.
Which again goes back to my like struggle, my not my cultural struggle, racial andbiracial struggle.

(35:32):
And polar opposites, you know, like I had someone tell me who was mixed like they weremixed with uh Mexican and black and there I couldn't make a joke because I wasn't fully
black.
I was like, well, you're not fully black.
She was like, you're half white.
I'm half Mexican.
I was like, cool.

(35:52):
Anyways, let's wrap.
Yeah.
Why don't we just agree?
We can all say whatever we want about each other.
I didn't even say that.
I said, well, I'm done with this conversation because clearly we're no longer friends.
And I left.
Hey, I mean in the past few years, many people have you had to let go of?
Ooh, a lot.
Like actually a lot because it's important to realize that it's okay to like let people goas long as you're doing it with the right intention.

(36:18):
Because if you are trying to let someone go because you think you're better than them oryou think that, you know, you're just, yeah, basically just too good for them.
I don't see why else, you know.
Yeah, it's like it doesn't even make sense otherwise.
doesn't make sense otherwise.
And so for me, how I thought about it was because I traveled to Europe my junior yearbecause college was getting my sophomore year was like the worst year for me.

(36:43):
I'm sorry.
But you to you got to go to Europe.
I asked my advisor, I said, Girlie.
I need to leave ASAP because I need to be reflecting on what I want because I'm about tobe a senior, I'm about to be a junior next year and senior year like is right around the
corner basically after that.
So my sophomore year, and that's another thing, I'm always planning.

(37:05):
Like yes, I'm an over thinker, but I'm always planning my next step, which sometimes getin the way of living in the moment, which I will say lately has been much better because I
live in the moment much more now because I feel confident in where I stand right now.
and my career and my friendships and my family, like, I feel good.
Even though I could be stressed.
Anyways, um, what was I saying?

(37:29):
Oh no.
I forgot.
No, I almost, I of lost it too.
have ADHD because I laugh a lot.
No, that's the first time this has happened actually.
Okay, I'm actually remembering.
I was just listening and getting caught up in it.
Because I agree, 100%.
I, oh and now I'm starting to lose it too, but it's okay.

(37:51):
Yeah.
The people at home, they'll forgive us.
Yeah, yeah.
Because we're talking about a lot here.
It's a lot to cover.
Yeah, it's a lot to unpack.
But it's like the upbringing where you're where you're going professionally how you do itwho helped you get here it's just like a balance and once you try to like Just be like a

(38:13):
little on serious sometimes I guess some people would say that's delusional but
just prioritize.
Yeah, you were talking about the planning.
That's what it was.
Organizing.
Okay, that's what I did have a question.
So it's a little hard sometimes to do it, but it also is what makes the dream achievingpossible.

(38:37):
Yep.
Okay.
I think that's important for people to hear like that's what they don't know.
They can't grasp.
I don't want to say people can't grasp things, but there's a problem right now.
That's you.
But I guess it just isn't like our society.
We feel like
this uneasiness or this unhappiness, I feel like that's a part of where it's coming.
like the unorganization.

(38:59):
They're not willing to try just a little something to put yourself on the path.
I think it's also because people taking that from you and putting it in a scenario.
think you have, like I used to think this because I wanted to be a scholar.
Like I have to work at nine to five.
It's not that I have to.
was like, and the economy that we live in girl, I'm going to need nine to five whiletrying to do modeling, which I'm doing that right now.

(39:22):
Like I'm literally doing that right now.
And I fucking hate it.
Like I cannot wait.
six months from now, which that's the goal, I'm able to like support myself on modeling.
Now, don't quote me on that because six months from now anything can change and I knowthat.
But because I know that, I won't be disappointed six months from now.

(39:42):
I'll just say this is part of the process.
I was gonna ask, I was gonna point out like how many people are out there that don't evenhave that sort of like foresight or goal even amongst their own success.
There's a lot of people who just keep going and going and they don't have some sort of sixmonth from now goal.

(40:02):
Pardon six months from now goal set up.
Right.
And you do.
It's it's yes I do.
But I don't think it's fair to say that like once six months do does come like it's goingto be all right.
I hit the time mark.
Time to change.
uh Time to change gears.
Like I need to like analyze.

(40:26):
the situation that's going on in my current state of mind.
Just revisit.
It's a refresher really.
Am I in a good spot to do what I said I can do?
Because ultimately you're still going to do it, but is right now a good time?
Because at end of the day you want that security.
You want that net, right?

(40:47):
And so that's what I'm going to have to do.
So the fact that I know that I'm going have to do that, why would I worry about it now?
Because I'm going to revisit it later on.
And I think that's a good way of thinking about it.
Because then that makes you less stressed.
Because you're already gonna be stressed.
I'm already stressed about work.
And I got work tomorrow.
Like, do I hate going to work?
Absolutely.

(41:08):
Because I waste so much of my time in a day where I could be making content for Instagram,hanging out with friends, going to a museum, going to like a friend's birthday, doing so
much, enjoying nature outside.
I look out my window all the time at work and I'm just like, damn, I could be outsideright now.
But I can't go because I have to do that.

(41:29):
Right, then nine to five.
Nine to five.
But it helps pay for the making of the dream happen.
I'll give a fuck.
Like, yes.
Ugh, I hate bills.
But I also will say shout out to my landlord and shout out to where I live because I livein Montrose and I pay 840.
Damn.
Utilities included.
Don't tell anyone.
I want to live there.
Yeah.
And if you if you look for a place, let me know because I will give you the hookup becauseguess what?

(41:53):
If I get you to live where I live, I get $200 off my rent.
Wow, that's realistically one of the best leads of an apartment in this area.
Yeah, it was built in like the 1950s.
character, like very community-esque.
and I can walk places and sit outside.
like the median.
Like it's like a little...
So if you don't know what a boulevard is, it's where it's like...

(42:16):
It has two different directions and it's separated.
It acts as like a strip, like a park almost.
Oh, wow.
So my neighbor was explaining it to me.
I probably didn't explain it as well, I still understand what he meant.
I just don't know how explain it.
But...
That was perfect, because I didn't know for sure.
Yeah, I have my...

(42:37):
I promise, I have my good moments.
I'm sure there's a lot of people right now listening to that, like, oh, whoa.
Yeah, that's like crazy, but...
I'm sure.
At least one.
Yeah, at least one.
Like, if there's not one, then that's unfortunate.
But I know what I'm saying, so it's okay.
Yes.
No, you do.
Even if there's stuff that you don't know yet.

(42:58):
Again, I think a part of what matters is that, and what is why you're here, is that you'redoing, taking action, taking action.
I will say with the doing part.
How do you have the energy?
Tell me when you're it, but also tell me Great, no, it's part of that.
Like, how do I have the energy?
It's because I have this ability for when I'm...

(43:22):
I have to struggle a little first to really get motivated.
Oh, wow.
I'm a procrastinator in the sense like I will wait to the last minute.
That's dangerous.
But guess what?
I will produce my best work.
I know that for sure, hands down.
Because I work so well under pressure and...
If it's not doable, I will never submit it.
I mean, if it's not up to my standards, I would never submit it.

(43:45):
So you're not even going to get I would rather get a zero.
OK, I did that several times in elementary school, in middle school, in high school and incollege.
Oh, wow.
Because I'm like, why would I like it's a crazy mindset to have, but it's alsodisrespectful to the teacher to be like, I have to ask.
Yeah, that's like a half ass student in college.
Yes, I could have been a plus student.

(44:08):
But no, I was a B plus student because I wanted to still have fun and live my life incollege.
But.
And it was worth it.
And it was worth it.
And so like how I try to balance that is.
I'll wait till the motorcycle's done.
That was a loud one.
It's OK.
It's a beautiful, it's a beautiful motorcycle.
I'm going to be honest, I'm always stressed.

(44:31):
Low key.
As of like lately not, but there was the other day I was about to quit my job because allI wanted to do.
was work on my following stuff.
Like work on posing, work on this.
Dude, get some photo shoots, get some ideas.
Like I'm currently creating a campaign that's inspired by this year's Met Gala.
Wow.
With a friend that I met through a runway show that I did in Houston.

(44:56):
By the way, when I say wow, I really do mean it because I, he said campaign.
So I know that he knows what he's talking about in the sense that when you put somethingout there, it's gotta be.
You're putting your name on it.
Like you're representing it.
Like it's gonna say Kiedrick and it's gonna say Ashley.
because we like we are inspired so much by the art that's happening in New York that wewant to create something here.

(45:23):
Okay.
But also celebrate because what we're doing is we're putting it it's gonna be a photoshoot like editorial type so it's gonna be like a magazine.
I love And it's going to
I don't know if it's gonna be a magazine, but it's gonna be some form of between the Zdesign in a magazine exactly So it's not gonna be necessarily a magazine, but you're gonna

(45:44):
put it out which is a great I feel like people don't know this but a magazine is just likea big like it's a lot of content like and one It's MAGA like which means large
Unfortunately, have to say that it means bigger.
The magazine sells ads That's awesome.
Yeah, and so that it's a capitalistic.
Yeah, it's not journalism.

(46:04):
Yeah.
Oh, no, not at all.
It's entertainment
Capitalistic entertainment that's like president Martin because they have a store namedmagazine.
That's cool.
I've never been over there, but So yeah, that's so how I really go about it is that I amlike when I'm at work I'm doing something related to modeling.
I'm multitasking.

(46:25):
Yeah Because I'm in this eight hours.
You can get a lot.
I think a lot and yes You're paying me.
I do my work at work.
Of course.
Oh, yeah I do my work at work
And when I do that, I get my shit done.
And if I have time, you're still paying me to be here.
See, that's just as damn extra mine not comprehending that we can do work that fastsometimes too, right?

(46:48):
But that's another thing, because it also depends on your education.
And I say that because everybody thinks differently.
But if you're put into the education system, right, you're not you're all treated as thesame.
It's that's just a roll of could be dyslexic.
My best friend's dyslexic.
Dyslexic shout out max love you best.

(47:08):
Sorry max we all know now.
Yeah, we know max He's dyslexic and his education system in New York was so different thanmine here in Houston Because mine was a boarding school that was created out of st.
John's Because St.
John's was a teacher at st.
John's was like we need greater opportunities for BIPOC students, so I'm gonna create aschool that's living that you can live at

(47:36):
and not have to pay for it, getting the same education as the kids from St.
John's.
I forget, got, St.
John's isn't all, sorry, it's a private school, but I think Wes Anderson went there,right?
One of those directors went to St.
John's.
need that.
Iconic though.
It is a great school and I'm not gonna, well, it's a great school for the white community.

(47:56):
But that is part of problem.
Actually, I actually can't say that.
I'm gonna retract that statement.
um It's perfect for the rich.
Because there's also this stigma around white people this I'll give credit with credits tookay, like yes white people are an issue But there are rich Asians there are rich black

(48:17):
people there are rich Indian people there are rich everybody's rich So it's like they havebecome the stereotype.
Yeah, they are the stereotype because you're white No, there are poor white people thatlive in Houston all around the world like people forget that but because I study that it's
it's reminded
Yes, of it.
Like you talk about gender, you talk about sexuality, you talk about race, you talk aboutall the core values of what makes a society a society.

(48:44):
And based on what you identify as, whether it's gay, black, white, know, non-binary,that's going to make an impact on how you interact with people and how you interact with
yourself, how you present yourself.
But people don't think like that.
No.
They think, especially here in America.
They all, all they think about themselves.

(49:07):
Like every time I've traveled, which most of the most places I've traveled to was, or notthe most, but like Europe and Asia basically.
Like I've been a lot of places there and I always ask a simple question like, why don'tyou like Americans?
I mean, I don't like Americans.
Shit, y'all rude.
Y'all like, y'all not like family.
definitely not in right now.

(49:28):
Yeah, like have we ever?
have we ever been in?
I don't know, I have to think about that one.
It just depends, it really depends on who you ask.
But it's always like...
I love it dude.
Like yes I'm American but embarrassing, I'm so sorry.
There's a lot to criticize.
A lot.
it's like, yeah.
But I always ask them, I'm like, hey, why don't you like Americans?

(49:50):
And I'll say I understand, just so they know.
So they can be truthful and honest.
Yeah, I wanna know.
And they say...
I feel like I can guess but I wanna know.
Americans are superficial you ask an American.
Hey, how's your day?
They're like good And then they may or may not you know Reciprocate the conversation.
Oh fine.

(50:11):
Yeah, what's no fucking word-word answer gonna do one word answering it of shit and So ifsomeone like yes, I still have those interactions with people here in America, of course
because that's just the culture of America but
I know the people because I chose the people the people chose me right.
I know the people it's my community exactly I know the people who are going to be like heylike how's your day like what you get up to today?

(50:36):
know different questions or same questions added like and I added a question right?
What'd you get up to today?
mean to continue the conversation?
Americans they stop we stop I'll say we because I am American, but I don't stop because Idon't do that but and that's another thing of like
When it comes to being a model specifically, I think it's also important to realize, andthis is what I've been told.

(51:01):
I'm now what I got signed on my birthday, March 27th.
So ah it's been, we're going into the second month of being signed.
And first thing they told me, they were like, you have the look, the look is there.
And I've been working on the look.
So I hope the look is there.
It's definitely reassuring, but that's not everything.

(51:22):
And so.
She made my uh agent made me realize she was like, you have to have personality.
You walk into a room, yeah, they're going to look at you.
They're like, you have a great look, but what do you bring to the table?
Not just your looks.
Your looks won't sell the product.
It's your personality.
Were you okay with that at first?
Absolutely.
I'm like, it's something.
It's a, it's my dream that I'm gambling with.

(51:46):
So I'm going to have to make adjustments and being adaptable, especially in the modelingindustry is very important.
And so it's like, because the client is going to ask, especially if they really like youas a person, they're going to ask you, like, are you willing to do something?
Are you going to willing to cut your hair?
That's my main one.

(52:07):
Context, ding ding ding ding.
I have a fro.
And so my class with hashtag Omar, love him again.
Omar is speeding it up.
know you are.
know you are.
It really, like he basically.
What we went through was...
your interaction with a client, right?

(52:30):
You go in and you don't want to be all boxy.
You don't want to be like, my name is da da da da da.
You want to give personality.
You walk in, like, present yourself.
You're selling yourself in this moment because you want to walk for this client.
I love that.
So that's what he was teaching us.
The way you hold your body, the movement.
Even the way you speak, the way you look at people.

(52:51):
Yeah.
So like, it's all those things that you learn.
And so yeah, my agent was basically saying, you have to look.
Your walk, we need to work on.
Which of course girl, cause I don't know what a walk is supposed to look like.
Yes, I've watched it, you know, and on archive, uh walkway or whatever, runway.
And America's Next Top Model.

(53:12):
But it's also like when you get there, it's like a different story, right?
And she's telling me all these things.
I'm like, I'm willing to change because I need to.
If I need to, to get to my dreams, absolutely I'm gonna do that.
And I think that's the mindset that people need to have.
They're not willing to change.
Back to that.
And so, yeah.

(53:32):
And I already have like, I have a swim cast, or I did a swim casting the other day.
I got it, getting paid for it.
Boom, extra income right there.
Perfect.
Gonna put that back into modeling.
So it's also investing.
This is something that I'm really bad at.
I have a Roth RA and I put money in there every now and then.
But I'm also bad like I'm great at spending money Terrible at saving it.

(53:56):
Okay, ask any of my friends.
They will let you know I yet if you're listening shouts out to you.
It's been um, yeah, I am expensive I am and I think everyone should think of themselvesthat way but don't be too delusional know your rank like know your rank cuz my rate my
rank is not there yet, but I will be getting there I will be getting there, you know Butyeah

(54:21):
Any other questions?
I love that, no.
Cause I feel like I definitely did comment on some things, but I don't even...
There's a lot to cover.
But what was most important, and I guess we are in our last few minutes here for contextand reference, anyone listening, I really just wanted you to be able to share that journey

(54:46):
that you're taking in becoming a model.
Making it happen.
There's like so many layers to it and there's the steps within that business you have toachieve and everybody takes different steps because I know friends that are freelance I
Need securities I need because I have a I have another job so I don't have the time to golook for Another like agency or another like campaign.

(55:10):
I need someone else to do it for me say that I'm bourgeois bourgeois But and that'sanother thing people are very skeptical when it comes to paying
especially for modeling.
But one of my friends the other day, he's very successful right now.
He's gonna know who he is and I hate it.
But he invested $8,000 in a camera and that's his work that he's doing now.

(55:33):
That was his first investment.
And he just turned 21.
wow.
Just turned 21.
He has two businesses.
Dang.
One's a photography brand and the other's uh a clothing line.
But that one's not out yet.
He's in the works of it.
So it's just like, if you have the intention and you have the drive, the adaptability, thepersonality, the story, and for model, the face, the walk, including the things that I

(56:02):
just said, like, then yeah, go for modeling if that's what you want to do.
That's what I did.
But when somebody said you needed to get down the walk, you just dropped all of your...
contention about it and you did it you practice yeah I like like he said practice makespermanent I'm walking my my corporate job great for practice yes mama so I'm doing that

(56:33):
and you have to wear like white cloth or clothing like I have to dress up I have to wearbusiness casual which I do I have gotten dress code it like two or three times now which
they just
They're just haters, it's okay.
You have dull taste in clothing, like not my fault.
ah And yes, I said it, I don't care.
um I'm trying to, and that's another thing.

(56:55):
I mean, if that's what you are.
If that's what you have to embody what you want to be.
And that's called manifesting, but it's also just being your true self.
Authenticity.
Exactly.
Honesty.
Honesty.
It's really hard.
Cause I feel like when people start putting negative comments anywhere, you're going totake it and you're like,
you're gonna start creating doubts.

(57:15):
Yeah, and it's okay to have some.
And it's okay.
But what I want people to hear from you is that there's no...
You can do both.
You can have the doubt, but you can also make it happen.
Yeah.
I mean, it's always good to be aware, right?
Because if you're aware of the situation, really just read the room.
That's like...
Read the room and be open.

(57:35):
I feel like we could pull a few literal lines from you this episode.
mean, read the room is a great one because people...
forget to observe and think about what others are thinking about and feeling.
Yeah and make sure and so read the room being individualistic with community in mind okaybecause you can be yourself so while adding being an additive or an accessory that's how I

(58:01):
think about lot of things if I'm a cameraman I have a camera that's a way of networkinglike you know like it's all about how you think about things.
So you're you're truly using a part of your own thing to go ahead and connect to others.
Yeah.
And the next one is intention.
Do things with intention.
Because if you're just doing it just to do it, well, one can say easily that you're justdoing it to follow.

(58:27):
Yeah.
And you don't even know if you're following.
Because that means you didn't do the research.
Research is also important.
Doing anything when you research I've always been a researcher and I think because of thatbecause I have that trait of just Wanting to know more wanting to be curious wanting to
better myself.
I asked questions I Researched a brand or a research company.

(58:51):
I'm reaching out still even though I'm signed to Instagram Saying hey, I love this brand.
Can I work with you?
I've reached out to maybe over 20 and I've heard back from three and two of them said heyWe have something this summer coming up
Dang.
I love that.
And it's not, it's not promised, but hey, the fact that I reached out and the fact that I,you know, they actually responded and I could potentially have a campaign with them or not

(59:16):
even a campaign, but just a shoot or a test shoot.
Because at the end of the day, all, what is it?
All media is good media.
That is very true.
But I'm not trying to get on the bad media side.
So we good with that.
It's both experience and the portfolio.
get a little bit, you get both.
Cause it's not going to happen overnight.
And you do need both.
Yeah, it does not happen overnight set goals.

(59:38):
when 20 so December I was hospitalized for two weeks context January started living mylife.
Okay, okay But January life change met I yet and now I set a goal my goal after beingsigned so my goal was to start model

(01:00:03):
That was one of my goals of 2025.
I have now started and been signed to modeling and I have also...
have jobs.
I have two jobs.
An editorial campaign and a swimwear campaign.
And so it's recognizing the small steps before you try to get to the big steps.

(01:00:24):
Because when you don't recognize the small little things, such as friends, or just like, Igot a call back, those things add up and then they make you realize what you're trying to
do and what you're wanting to do.
It's slowly going through that process and you're almost there, right?

(01:00:44):
It could have been one step closer.
It could have been 10 steps closer, you know?
And I'm reaching out to so many people in New York, like trying to collaborate because atthe end of the day, when you network and you collaborate, you become more open to ideas.
You become more open to people.
You become more open to the idea that what you're trying to do is more achievable.
And I'm going to end it on that because that kind of aches.

(01:01:05):
So, yeah.
It really did.
I don't want to add anything extra other than thanking you again.
Because I had seen the Instagram and I saw what you were working Follow me at Keedrick.
It's my first name.
K-E-I-D-D-R-I-C-K.
Please do, y'all.
And see exactly how the stuff Keedrick is talking about is stuff that he's doing.

(01:01:29):
Like currently.
Yeah.
But also in the sense that you follow along with that journey a little bit and see thatwhen you do try, you do put
all these things in the practice and stuff happens.
Stuff definitely does happen.
Achievement, success.
What that stuff is, who knows, but when you live in the moment, it feels good, you gothrough a wave of emotions.
Yeah.
Well, thank you very much.

(01:01:50):
my God.
All right, perfect.