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From her successful modelling career to being a reality TV star
and MTV favourite, Shay ‘Buckeey’ Johnson has lived the high
life. Now with a film and book in development, entrepreneur
Shay explains why her ambition won’t ever ease off
W
hen I was asked Buckeey has men mesmerized by
to carry out an her hourglass hips and toned physique
interview with which got her starring roles in music
urban model, actress videos from Jazzy Pha featuring C-Lo –
and entrepreneur Shay Happy Hour, Bubba Sparxx – Miss New
‘Buckeey’ Johnson Booty, and Young Dro featuring T.I. –
I wasn’t sure what to Shoulder Lean – and she has graced the
expect. Shay has featured front cover of many magazines.
in VH1’s Charm School and ‘I had to prove myself and pay my
competed for Public Enemy dues before I got to this point and I’m
rapper Flavor Flav’s heart not satisfied. I am not where I want to
on the dating reality show be, so the only way is up,’ she explains.
Flavor of Love. If my mind
did not deceive me Buckeey, Strength from adversity
was removed from the Flavor Buckeey may be living the high life
household after altercations now, but she has also been through
with another housemate. This personal trials and tribulations. Her
got me thinking, what was I parents divorced when she was very
getting myself into and most young and her mother was left alone to
importantly was I biting off more raise both Buckeey and her two other
than I could chew? Never one siblings. Like many one-parent homes,
to walk away from an excellent Shay’s household was plagued by debt
opportunity however, I dived in. and an immense struggle to make
ends meet, but she conveyed that it
Natural-born thriller was these circumstances that made
As soon as I met Buckeey, her her the strong woman she is today.
friendly personality eased my ‘When I was younger, sometimes the
doubts and what I learnt was that lights were off, I had cold showers
she is and was always built for and I didn’t always get presents for
success, because she is a woman Christmas. But I don’t want any pity. It
who, as she clearly puts it, ‘never taught me to be a stronger individual.’
takes no for an answer.’ With the her calendar and plans
While watching Buckeey for a film and self-development book
during the first half of her Flavour pencilled-in for release in spring 2009
shoot it was evident that she was it is now more clear than ever that Shay
a natural in front of the camera ‘Buckeey’ Johnson is one model who
and the more I watched her, isn’t going to accept the tag of being
the more her confidence and ‘just a reality television star’ or who will
command for attention grew. take the allocated 15 minutes of fame
Had she always been like that? without a fight. She’s definitely a force to
‘I am confident, but had been shoot- be reckoned with, so watch this space.
ing with different photographers. One
coached me on my facial expression, while Visit www.flavourmag.co.uk to
another taught me how to move my body.’ read the full story of Shay’s life
17
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