America’s Next Top Model All-Star Sheena Sakai

Living the Sheenified Lifestyle

By Belinda Trotter-James

Modelocity Online.com

Fan favorite All Star Sheena Sakai from Honolulu Hawaii is living her dream life as a working actress, host and model.  We first met Sheena on cycle 11 at the age of 21.  Now 24 she has been traveling the world working within the industry and has an online vintage thrift store that she opened in 2009 online.  “I think I’m becoming a hoarder.  I love vintage clothes,” laughs Sheena. 

Sheena was in the middle of packing for a move when she got the call to be on the show.  “I thought the producers from Top Model were calling me for a different type of show.  They told me it was a fan favorite show.  I still was not sure what type of show it would be but I was excited and said ‘yes’.”

When Sheena go to the show and saw it was the same old soup just heated over, it was quite disappointing.  In an exclusive interview Sheena reveals to Modelocity Online how nothing changed with the show’s format and it was the same circus.  Keep reading for all the juicy details…

 Question:  What is the difference between cycle 11 when you first appeared on the show and this cycle?

Sheena:  Not much has changed.  It’s the same program, the same top model circus.  We are notable, acting, working girls now.  I felt the show tried to defame us by saying we are not there yet and putting us through the same ridiculous challenges.  I rather show you my entertainment and singing talents.  I did not get a chance to do that.  The pitch for the show was very different.

Note:  Sheena does make a good point about how the girls are being portrayed.  When I heard some of the judges’ comments, it made me feel like the girls have not moved into professional mode and had to come back to the show for a remedial course in modeling. It doesn’t seem like a higher level show or a show about how the pros get the job done.  It seems like they are treating the girls like amateur contestants all over again.

Q: Why was cutting your hair a major issue for you?

Sheena:  The last time I was on the show they burned off my hair.  It was horrible. It took me months to maintain it in order to get it back healthy again.  I did not need another makeover.  I’ve ‘been there, done that’ already.  If they would have said they were cutting my hair, I would have said ‘Hell-to-the-No!’  I would have been on the first train back home.  Ms. Jay was joking about cutting my hair in a Chinese bowl style, which is such a stereotype.  I was not having it.  Let me see you cut Tyra’s hair in a Chinese bowl style.

Note:  I laughed through this entire section of hair talk.  What I cannot believe is that Tyra’s hair styling staff is not the best in the business.  They can’t do weaves, color and most of the Black girls usually get their hair chopped off.  I know hair grows back but for Black girls it takes at least three life times to get a pig tale.  To make matters worse, for each photo challenge the girls end up getting extensions.  Unbeweavable.

Q.  The branding expert gave you the word ‘unexpected’.  How did you feel about that?

Sheena:  The word was right up my alley.  I have been doing unexpected things all of my life.  I loved it! This is a marketing expert.  If you are the brand, you belong to the public.  I studied marketing along with branding and I think I knew too much to be kept on the show.  When the marketing person asked me how I would brand myself, I told him I was Sheenafied!  I think he liked it.

Q:   Now that you are old at the age of 24, is it harder to get assignments and are you competing with the younger girls for jobs?

Sheena:  I don’t feel my age is getting in the way of getting assignments.  I’m not in the high fashion world which is a body type of a 14 year old.  I am more into acting and commercial modeling where age is not a factor.

Q:  What type of beauty regimen do you follow to keep yourself in top condition?

Sheena:  I exercise, drink plenty of water, take lots of vitamins and I don’t smoke or drink.

Q: If aspiring models could hear one Model’s Tip from you, what would it be?

Sheena:  You must have confidence and thick skin because this industry is full of rejection.  You must have endurance and persistence mentally, physically, spiritually.  Always have a backup plan.  Don’t’ get me wrong, it’s a beautiful life but everything has a price.  It’s more important to discover what your true genius is--- Find your calling.

Sheena will have her music coming out soon, she is working on projects and her television show will be out soon as well.  To find Ms. Sheenafied go to her website at www.sheenafied.com.

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