Meet Keeda Kollins | Professional Model & Aspiring Actress & Chef

We had the good fortune of connecting with Keeda Kollins and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Keeda, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
I was born in Philadelphia, but lived most of my childhood in a small town outside of philly which is Lancaster,PA. I have 14 other brothers and sisters my parents have been married for 45 years, and we lost one sibling my sister Deanna to breast cancer last year and it’s been tough to deal with but ere making it through the storm. My upbringing was no picnic by far growing up I saw alot of violence and drugs within the neighborhoods we lived in as children. I spent a great deal of my life watching the world threw the window because my parents didn’t allow us to play outside and go places when we were kids it took for my siblings to start leaving when there weren’t allowed not coming home after school staying out all night, before my parents just gave up and stopped fighting us on trying to stop us. But as an adult and having children of my own I totally understand why my parents did what they did, because life is scary and when were young we don’t realize that until we become adult then you see how truly dangerous and scary the world is.

I struggled alot as a child and I see my myself as being the black sheep of the family, because I was bullied in school at home and I’ve always felt unwanted with no love, but I’ve always been the one to help and save others all of my life as I still do till this day. Even though I wasn’t shown the love and appreciation I wanted in life, I make sure to go a different path and always help others in need whether family friends or a random stranger. Acts of kindness goes a long way and you never know what another person maybe going through in there lives, and sometimes just a smile and a hello can brighten someone’s day. I grew up not having much going hungry at times we were the poor kids in the neighborhood and I was reminded everyday being treated unfairly and bullied by many.

I know first hand what it’s like to grow up and have nothing, but know that your meant for much greater things. Then kids came in the picture and even though I was young with children I never stopped believing that I was meant for so much more. So I enrolled in college, I went to Culinary School and obtained my Associates degree, the I attended Everest University and obtained my B.S in Criminal investigations all while continuing my career as a Professional Model and Aspiring Actress. Now my career wise didn’t really take off until I moved to California which was always my dreams and goals to move to California to fulfill my destiny in becoming known by the world. And this is due to my upbringing because even though I may have grown with nothing, I was never going to just lay down and say this is all life has to offer to me. So I went to modeling school for a little while and created my social media platform and I networked and advertised everyday in any which way I could. And I ‘ve been in so many fashion shows and tv appearances, I’ve done lots of background work for film/tv I ‘ve gotten a few cameos and features but continuing my career to hopefully land a major role. I’ve had this dream that I will work with Adam Sandler one day, and praying that it’s in my destiny I’ll work with Tyler Perry as well. And I am so grateful to have worked as a featured towns person on the movie The Harder They Fall it definitely was a historical moment in my life being apart of a all black cast and knowing that Jay Z is part of that because he’s one of my favorite artist.

So its been a blessing to know that even though I grew up very rough and not having much being bullied and hurt all the time feeling like no one cares for you, I never stopped believing that your life is your own and it is up to you to make it what you want it to be. No matter the struggle or when times get tough, you keep going and striving to be the best version of yourself for you and your kids because they are my future, and I always want them to know you can be anything you put your mind to, you just have to go do it. I don’t have any regrets because everything I’ve endured in my life has made me the strong person I am today.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a professional Model and Aspiring Actress & Chef So cooking has been apart of my life before I could walk I love food and I love creating new dishes and feeding others. I think the key to happiness is threw food it may sound foolish but, when your having a bad day or feeling blue and someone gives you a home cooked meal it brightens your day it makes you feel warm and gushy inside. So that’s the feeling I want everyone to experience. Also I am so proud of myself and my life’s work, and for all the things I have scene and places I traveled along the way. T.he lovely people I met whether famous or not.

When I was kid I literally had dreams all the time seeing the hollywood sign and me walking on the red carpet walking the runway being on TV in Films and so far lots of my dreams have become reality, as I still dream these dreams today and I know that god has a plan and that my dreams will continue to come true as I work harder everyday to become successful. Modeling and Acting is not just something I wanted to do just for the fun it’s my goals and dreams and passion for my life to do it and that’s why I have, I’ve done so many shows and appearances for the Model world my biggest show was Mercedes Benz Fashion week and it was the greatest show I’ve ever had. My acting career is still in effect I am working hard to network and audition for gigs, The Harder They fall movie The Cleaning Lady Tv Show was the last to gigs I was apart of and hopefully with hard work I can land that major role I pray for every night. Also I work with Saladine Records which is my brother’s music label but I am no rapper but I do have barz..lol for the most part.

I got to where I am today by hard work and dedication, never giving up in times where things looked as though there would be no good outcome. Knowledge is key motivation networking advertising keeps you going in this industry. It’s definitely hard its not easy especially being of mixed race sometimes it seems we have to work harder in the industry to get places in which at times I don’t mind because it just makes you strive even harder to get it. So the lessons I’ve learned and still learning along the way is go for for what you want and don’t let anyone or anything stand in your way, it’s uo to you to give yourself the life you want the things you want to accomplish in your life.

I love my career choice and I wouldn’t change it, I can only continue to accomplish my goals and aspirations.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Hmmm.. a week long trip in California is like showing a person a new world especially for someone who has never experienced California before. So I would definitely want them to see the sunset every night in La Jolla, or Beach because the setting around it is just so wonderful. Then definitely the night life i Gaslamp district, also I enjoy bowling and roller skating dancing and maybe a little skinny dipping once in a while, so those are the things that we would definitely do amongst traveling to different parts of California especially LA’s shopping district. And enjoying the company of friendship works for me too.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Honestly there was a time in my life were, I saw myself as being the reason why I have had the success and I should recognize myself, but in reality if not for all the struggles and pain growing up and things I went through as a child till now, I wouldn’t be here right now writing this. So I’d like to recognize the Gilkes family Saladine Records and my children for always being tough on me and never giving up on me no matter how hard our life was. Because if it wasn’t for them I wouldn’t be who I am today. And I thank them all from the bottom of my heart and I want them to know I will always be grateful for to have them as my family.

And I’d like to thank god for always being there even at times when it seems like he’s not and staying will me and allowing me to accomplish things I’ve only dreamed of and hope to continue my path and accomplish wonders.

Website: http://about.me/KeedaKollins

Instagram: www.instagram.com/keedakollins

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/keedakollins

Twitter: www.twitter.com/keedakollins

Facebook: www.facebook.com/keedakollins

Yelp: www.yelp.com/keedakollins

Youtube: www.youtube.com/keedakollins

Image Credits
John Medel Photography