This year, the song “Stronger” by Kanye West became everybody’s anthem for perseverance. After the tragic lost of his mother from complications of surgery, he re-emerged at the Grammys winning Hip-Hop album of the year. And in typical Kanye fashion, he called out the producers to shut off the music during his thank you speech as he dedicated the award to his mother. In some ways, it just seem like he never missed a beat.

Many people cannot even begin to fathom how the lost of someone so close as their own mother would effect them, but one person that can relate to a situation like that one—because she’s been through it is natural beauty “Kia’mor” (derived from her name Kia and the Spanish term “amore” which means love).

The Philadelphia born, and New Jersey-bred model experienced the lost of her mother while most young people were trying to score a fake ID to raid the local liquor store. But instead of using that as a crutch or an excuse to be handicapped for the rest of her life, she was able to turn things around and is quickly becoming one of the new faces of urban modeling.

This engaged mom is also the owner of measurements that include 36-30-44, and that lucky combination of numbers caught the eye of Hot 97’s 'Drama King', DJ Kay Slay, who quickly recruited her to be in his Straight Stuntin’ Magazine. The soft-spoken lover of down Sout h Hip-Hop has her eyes set on the prize, and doesn’t plan on getting caught up in the hoop-la of the entertainment industry. Now lets see if many more models in the same situation can follow her lead. 

Where are you originally from?

I’m originally from Philadelphia, and I moved here to [New] Jersey. So I’ve been in Jersey most of my life, since I was young. I was in the school system here, but I was born in Philly. 

When did you first get into modeling?

Um, I’ve only been modeling for like a year and a half now. It started actually in the clubs with people that would take pictures for different sites, like “Night Life.” Photographers would be like, “Oh you should do a photo shoot, you’re pretty, and you can model.” I never took it serious before, and one day I was like, “Oh let me just try it.” And I tried it, and the pictures came out nice. And from there people just wanted to do photo shoots with me for magazines, and just different things like that. So it all worked out.  

Do you feel like the urban modeling world is over crowded with everybody trying to get in? Or is there enough room for everybody?

I really feel like everyone should at least try it, if they feel like its something that they can do. I’m not one to knock anybody, but I just feel like there are a lot of people that are in it, and they’re not in it for the right reasons. And I feel like [those] people will be exposed, so I’m not even worried about them. [Laughing] But I do feel like everybody should at least give it a chance, and that will let you know if you really want to do it or not. Because it’s really a grind, and it can be stressful, and sometimes everybody is not built for it. So if you feel like you want to do it then try it, and in the end you’ll see if its really for you or not. 

Speaking of exposed, were you at all camera shy at first with some of the things you had to wear for photo shoots?

Um, not really—I’m quite confident with my body, and when I was younger, I really wasn’t. But as I got older, I started working out and really doing things to make myself feel better with whom I am. So when I am taking pictures like that, I always do it within my comfort zone. I would never do anything—no one can make me doing anything. But the first time I did a shoot, I was kind of nervous at first. Because it was my first experience, and you think the only person that’s going to see this is the person that you’re with; and then you just kind of turn into somebody different. Like when I’m shooting, I’m “Kia’mor” but on any other regular day I’m “Kia.” So I just put myself into the “Kia’mor” situation and I’m fine. It’s just really a mind thing, like just trying to look outside the box and know that I’m doing it because this is my profession, and this is what I do.        

So where does the name “Kia’mor” come from?

Basically “Kia’mor” came to me [Pauses] when I was 18, my mother passed away. So I went through a really-really rough time with depression, and not feeling good about myself. And when my daughter was born, it basically opened my eyes and let me know that life is worth living, love who you are, and to put yourself on a high pedal stool and not to let anybody tear you down. So basically I put my name with love, because I love myself. So “amore” meaning love and “Kia” so I thought it just fit together. So that’s where “Kia’mor” came from.    

Is it hard to balance modeling and motherhood?

Um, not really I don’t let it control me, because my daughter comes first no matter what—my daughter will always come first. It’s a pretty good balance because she’s into modeling, and she loves it, and I do it. So that’s something we share in common, and I always set aside my time for my daughter. I always have that balance to where one won’t over power the other, so it works out for me fine.   

You also hooked up with Kay Slay for his Straight Stuntin’ Magazine. How did that come about?

I actually met Kay Slay through MySpace. He saw my pictures through my MySsace, and he liked what he saw and gave me a call, and he asked me to be in his magazine—which I’ll be in the April issue. And at the photo shoot we clicked, so he’s basically looking out for a little bit when it comes to management and stuff like that right now. So MySpace has been opening a lot of doors for me pretty fast. I guess its because people can look at your pictures from there. So thanks to Kay Slay and me being in the magazine in April, I’m just hoping everything starts to fall into place.    

Has that been your biggest job to date?

Yeah I would consider that my biggest because this is going to be semi-worldwide, like more than just the tri-state area. So it’ll basically get my face out there for more than just the tri-state area and for the people I know. It’ll get my face out there for everybody. And that’s why I’m more interested in doing websites and magazines, because it will get my face everywhere. I want you to be able to click on a computer, or open a magazine and see my face, and know who I am.

So when your face is everywhere, are there going to be any “I told you so’s” to go around?

Um, that’s a funny question because I know a lot of people say that have a lot of females or just people that want to hold them back. I’ve had my share of females that don’t want to see me make it, but I think everybody has that. So I really don’t want to rub it in anyone’s face, but it is a good feeling to have people see that you’re going to the top. I mean—I don’t have to rub it in anyone’s face, they’ll just feel it regardless. [Laughs]  

[Laughs] Do you think you have any characteristics that make you stand out more than other models?

I feel like I’m a very down to earth person. I think problem with female models especially urban is A: They get star struck, B: They’re expecting more than what they’re going to get, or C: They’re in it for the wrong reasons. Like a lot of women are in it, and they expect to date celebrities, and they go to these parties and they become something other than themselves. It’s like they lose what they really were here for in the beginning. And I think that’s what really sets me apart, because I would never do that.

If I meet a celebrity, if I go to a party, and do work for a magazine; at the end of the day I’m still “Kia.” And professionally I’m “Kia’mor” so I’m never going to change, and I’m never going to lose myself in this industry. And I think that separates me from a lot of the females in this industry. Because a lot of females do that, and then their career is over, and they regret the mistake they made. Cause they let it take control of their life, and that’s basically what makes me different.        

You talked about girls that try and date guys in the business. Do you have a secret crush any man in the industry?

Um, I think all women have crushes. [Laughing] I really like Jim Jones—I can’t lie. And all my friends they know I like Jim Jones. It’s just that I think he’s nice looking and I like his style and that’s about it, but I would never date him. I don’t see myself really falling for anybody in the industry—I’ll just keep it with the average-type of guy who keeps me leveled. I’ll keep it that way. [Laughing]  

[Laughing] Are there any other avenues in the entertainment industry that you want to pursue besides modeling?

I want more, and I’ve always been the type of person that wants more. I basically want to get into acting, that’s something I’d like to do as well. I’ve never taken acting classes, but my friends and family will tell you that I’m a great actress. [Laughing] That’s something I would try to aim for besides the modeling.

One of my qualities is that I’m never content; I always want more. So I can never be too comfortable working, because then I’ll feel like, “Okay, now I need to do this.” I’m always reaching for more, so I think acting would probably be my next step, and that will be something that I’ll be looking into.      

Fast food? Or health nut?

I’m not a health nut, and I’m not a fast food person. I’ll eat fast food, but I’ll regret it the next day, or I’ll feel like I have to go to the gym and burn it off. But I’m not a health nut either, I should eat healthier, but I do eat pretty well, being that I do workout. And being that when I was younger, I was a little heavier and I changed my body by working out, and trying to eat right. So I don’t eat any pork, red meat, or none of that. I can eat a lot healthier than I do, but I’m like more in between if that makes any sense. [Laughs]  

[Laughs] Old School Hip-Hop or the new stuff?

I’m into—like my friends laugh at me all the time, like my friend Tiffany laughs at me all the time, but I love down South music. I’m into the beats. The lyrics can be horrible, but I the beat is hot; I love it! I’m more of a beat person because in the summer time I like to turn the music up, and just relax while hearing the beat. So I guess I’m more of a Crunk-type of down South person—I guess. [Laughs]  

[Laughs] Are you single or taken?

I’m taken, I’m actually engaged and I’m very happy. [Laughing]

[Laughs] What does your fiancé think of your profession?

He’s very supportive of me, and he’s very supportive of everything I do. I know my limits, and I would never do anything to disrespect myself, or disrespect him. So he trusts me, and he’s confident in me. He actually came with me to the Straight Stuntin’ Magazine shoot. And he knows exactly what I’m doing, and he knows I wouldn’t put myself in a crazy situation. So he supports me 100% and I love him for it.   

What type of guys do you go for?

Um, I’m into guys that are basically real, and who aren’t in the club trying to impress every female in the club. I’m the type of girl that will go to the club, and I’m attracted to the guy who’s in the background while his friends are throwing around money. I’m that type of girl, I’m not attracted to all that. Because then I just feel like, “For what?!” I just feel like you don’t need to do all that. I’m attracted to the behind the scenes type of person.   

If your man were in a grumpy mood, what would you do to cheer him up?

Well it depends on why he’s in a grumpy mood. If I got on his nerves, then I would probably leave him alone. [Laughing] But if I didn’t, I would probably talk to him, and I also do massage therapy—so maybe I’d give him a little massage. He couldn’t turn down one of my massages. So that would be good right there. [Laughing]

For more pics of Kia'mor, Check out Sixshot's Photo Gallery or visit www.myspace.com/keamya