INTERVIEW: Sierra Leonean born Fitness and Fashion Model, Patrick Amara talks Style Choices, Living in the U.S., Clothing Line, Gym Life, Nude as an “Artwork” and more…

Patrick Amara is a professional fitness and fashion model who currently lives in Maryland, United States. He was born on December 22, 1989 in Freetown, Sierra Leone, where he spent most of his life as a teenager before moving with his family to the U.S.

His mother raised him to be a strong, independent, gentleman. To this day she reminds him to always follow and chase his dreams. Patrick is a very ambitious and very creative model and actor. He had his first taste of acting at age eleven in which he played the main character in a school production.

Patrick likes to stay very unique and original when it comes to his work and style. He likes to create his own clothing combinations, because to him modelling has always been a Passion for him and dressing well is not self importance, it’s self respect. He has a goal of taking his modeling and acting career to the next level and hopefully be an authority in the fashion industry

Check out my exclusive interview with Patrick below:

Hey Patrick! Would you like to introduce yourself to our readers?
Hey guys, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Patrick Amara aka “Patrickthemodel” I’m 28 years, originally from Freetown Sierra Leone, West Africa. I’m currently living in Maryland, United States. I’m a future supermodel and a fashion guru. I’m more into creative when it comes to my work and style. I like to be different. I also pay great attention to details! And I’m a working machine in the gym. Which makes me a Fitness and Fashion Model.

Talk me through an average day in the life of you?
I wake up at 5:30am everyday to get ready for work, leave my house not later than 6am. Have lunch at 2pm and get off work at 7:30pm. I head straight to the gym after work. I do an intensive workout for at least 2 hours and go home take a shower and sit on my computer till 12am studying and responding to my emails for modeling jobs. I go to bed mostly around 1am. Repeat the same thing the next day.

What institution(s) did you attend and what did you study?
I attended Prince Georges community college in Maryland where I just completed my prerequisites courses and I’m heading into a university to study and become a Physician Assistant.

How were you discovered and what inspired you to go into modeling?
I have being approached my a lot of people asking me if I’m a model; that I should be a model because I have the look and a perfect body to be model. But I never took it seriously until 2014 when I met Kelly a friend from Philadelphia. Kelly is a professional published fashion and nude model. She told me I have all what it takes to become a model and she was ready to help me. So we started the process. She worked me through opening a Model Mayhem account. For does that don’t know about Model Mayhem, Model Mayhem is the number one portfolio website for professional models and photographers. You have to be approved before having an account with them. So we signed up for an account and I got approved within 24 hours. Next, Kelly and I set up a Photoshoot which was my first shoot with a professional model. I drove from Maryland to Philly to shoot with her. After the shoot I asked Kelly and the photographer “how did I do?” And they said I did great, the photographer never believed it was my first shoot as a model because of the way I performed in the shoot. Their positive feedback inspired me to go hard and make myself a great model. Kelly promised to help me with whatever help I needed as a model. So I came back to Maryland and I’ve been going hard ever since. And I won’t stop till I become a supermodel and win some Awards for my hard work.

Will you say the fitness industry in the United States is doing well?
Yes, the fitness industry in the U.S. is doing great. I follow other fitness models on social media as a way of inspiring myself to be better. You have to bring your A game to make it in the fitness industry because the competition is great. I hope to break in the industry soon.

Looking at your photos from 2013 to now there as been massive changes and improvements. What will you say motivated/inspired you to go into fitness and stay dedicated in it?
Honestly, I’ve always been into fitness but never had time to really focus on it, until when I decided to be a model. So I dedicated myself to the gym once I started seeing results. The gym is “Bae” I’m always with her. lol I workout everyday Monday to Sunday no matter how busy I am. If I don’t workout for the day I feel like something that needs to be done is not done. I can’t go to sleep until I do it. Some people will call it “Addiction” but I called it “Passion”.

What’s your 5 Dos and Don’t when it comes to be a model?
Dos:
1. Always be on time for appointments: Being on time is very important, and part of being professional. Nobody will take you serious if you keep getting late for your appointments. That’s very unprofessional and disrespectful to your clients. Be at least 30 minutes early to your appointments, make it a habit it will be noticed trust me.

2. Keeping working on your portfolio, never miss an opportunity to add to your collection, request high resolution images from photographers, copies of tear sheets from ad agencies and magazines or actual prints from the photographer. This is very important! If you have done TV commercials, get a video tape reel going.

3. Always have your model bag ready to go. When I say “Ready” I mean everything that a serious minded model will need on Set or at a shoot should be in your model bag.

4. Be very professional at all times: Be professional both online and offline, you never know who’s watching you. Being professional is very important in modeling. You have to be professional to make it in the modeling industry. And by being professional means, having a comp card, business card, website, and a hard copy portfolio book to show your work when asked for my industry professionals.

5. Always make sure you’re in your best physical and mental shape! Remember to always take good care of yourself. Don’t only look good but smell good! Put on deodorant, nobody want to work with a model that smells bad!

Don’t:
1. Don’t cancel an appointment or a shoot last minute unless it’s an emergency or you’re have ill. Remember there is usually a whole team behind a shoot, so probably they’ve taken the day off especially for the job, and there are cases where the photographer has rented some of the materials. So that’s a big no-no!

2. Don’t eat, drink or smoke in a studio, on set or while you’re wearing a designer’s garment that you’re modeling, unless someone in authority gives you the okay.

3. Don’t ever pay an agency to be signed. Legitimate agencies are suppose to use you to make money not ask you for money. And they will always tell you if you’re the one they want or in the process of hiring.

4. Don’t believe anything you read, it has happened countless times and I’m talking for experience. We live in a world where people are money hungry and very misleading. There too many scammers out there. So be very careful with whatever you read and believe especially on the internet.

5. Don’t let REJECTION get you. It’s part of the business and everyone in the business deals with it at one time or another. You may be the wrong type or your hair is the wrong color at the wrong time. There could be a thousand reasons. Keep pushing! If you think you pass the physical and emotional requirements. Modeling is a career of rejection. If you can’t take the inevitable rejection, don’t get involved in modeling.

What do you do to stay in shape, do you go to the gym?
I have been very discipline with my diet in the last 2 years. I eat nothing but healthy food. No fry or fatty foods for me even though sometimes I do cheat but I don’t make it a habit! And I workout 7 days a week. Monday to Sunday, no days off. It’s a must that I’ve to workout, I’m so use to working out that if I don’t workout for the day I can’t go to sleep cause I feel like something that has to be done is not done.

Will you say we take our health and fitness seriously?
Staying healthy should be a priority in everyone’s life not an option but unfortunately a lot of people don’t care about their health or even going to the gym, especially here in America. I will advice everyone to take their health and fitness seriously. You don’t have to go to the gym 7 days a week like me but at least two or three times a week will be helpful. It very important to stay healthy. Staying healthy means eating right, which is a hard battle for most people. But with great discipline you can overcome it and achieve your goals.

How do you balance your professional and personal life?
I try my best to make sure I balance my professional and personal life. I’m always working, I’m a workaholic but that don’t stop me from having time with my family and friends. Even though I’m very busy with work, I still create time for my personal life.

You released some nude photos from your recently done photo shoot and it got everyone online taking, what inspired the shoot?
Creative! I’m at a point in my modeling career where being different and creative matters a lot to me. I don’t want to do what everyone is doing or what someone else have already done. I just want to be different! Being different is beautiful to me. I called my nude photos “Artwork” which every professional model have done in their career. And most importantly my fans love it. That nude image had the most response from my fans and they love it.

What aspect surprised you the most once you started in the industry?
How much talent I have and how I can influence a lot peoples life when it comes to fitness and fashion.

Looking back to when you started as a model, is there anything you would like to change about the industry?
Yes! I will like to take the modeling industry to a different level. The level of “creative”. Creative should not be an option but a priority. And also I will like to change the fashion Industry, I see most people follow trends into of being their self. I don’t follow trends, I do whatever makes me happy.

Which brands, clients, models, photographers, etc, have you worked with?
I have worked with a lot of brands both in the DMV area and international brands. I have worked with Designers like Elegant Erkel Neckwear, N- Square Boutique, Clyopatra Couture, V1.11.V1. Clothing, Derrick J. Sellers aka Djslifestyles, Petaodini all the way from Jamaica. I’ve also worked with the most talented photographers like Tag Rice (Tagtheshooter), Sam (Ludah Digital Media), Derek Chase aka “ThePhotocase” Alahji Sannoh aka Manley Creativity, Alahji .S. Kardgo (Prince Zamira).

What do you consider your biggest professional success so far?
My biggest professional success so far is flying on business class to the Caribbean, Trinidad and Tobago on a paid trip. The experience was amazing, I worked with different celebrity Designers and photographers out there.

Who do you want to work with that you haven’t yet?
So many I will love to raise the bar high in the U.S, France, Italy and my top goal break into Hollywood. I want to prove to people that no matter where you’re from your dreams are valid.

What has been your biggest challenge?
My biggest challenge so far is trying to be myself and not caring what people think about me. Just doing me.

Tell us two things people don’t know about you?
1. I love food and eat a lot
2. I’m a workaholic

You are very active on social media. Do you think its important to be online and if so why?
Yes, it’s very important to be online and stay connected with your fans. I called it “consistency” . With anything you doing in life especially with modeling that has so much to do with social lifestyle you have to be consistent to make it.

You were born in Freetown, Sierra Leone, but now based in the United States. How is that working out for you?
Amazing! I love living in the United States. It’s the greatest country in the world and has equal opportunity for everyone. America can either make you or break you, the choice is yours.

What are your must visit travel destinations?
New York, Los Angles, Vegas, Miami, San Francisco, Oakland and Atlanta.

Name 5 things we should take seriously about our style choices?
1. Does your style define you
2. Color choices
3. Confidence is sexy
4. It’s ok to be different
5. Your happiness

How would you describe your style?
Classy and Clean

What style genre appeals to you the most?
Love being a Gentleman cause it never gets out of style.

Name your five must have accessories/essentials?
1. Classic Hat
2. Watch
3. Phone
4. Wallet
5. Glasses

What are your favorite fashion trends?
I don’t have one. I don’t follow trends, I don’t let fashion own me. But I show the world who I’m and what I want to express by the way I dress and live my life. I usually let my style speak for me.

What is your favorite dish?
Salads, fruits and anything healthy. I’m always eating cause I love food.

What songs are currently on your playlist?
I’m the one, Hardly, Why I do it, Nothing is promised, King, Trophy, Way out.

Apart from fitness and modeling, what other projects are you currently working on?
I’m currently working on getting my bachelors degree and starting my own fashion line soon.

Seeing you’re doing your dreams, what advice can you give others to pursue their dreams?
I’m still not yet where I want to be but I would say never give up on your dreams. Always believe in yourself, it might take time and there will be a lot of obstacles on the way but keep pushing until you make your dreams become a reality. Dreams are real.

Any specific plans for the future?
Becoming a Supermodel, Getting into acting, Best African Male Model, Getting my own clothing line, top black male model, DMV’s next top model, becoming the best male model in U.S and so much more.

Any final words?
Never give up on your dreams. No matter where you’re from your dreams are valid.

Where can we follow you online and on social media?
Instagram: @Patrickthemodel
Twitter: @Swaggerpato90
Facebook Fan Page: @Patrick The Model
Facebook personal page: Male Model Patrick Amara
Snapchat: @fitnes_physique
Website: www.patrickamara.com

And definitely everyone check my website and follow me on social media to stay updated with my work.  I have so much coming up. Thank you all for your time. And thanks for the interview. I’m humble. www.patrickamara.com