Fanta Bereteh

Who:

Fanta Bereteh -- @fmulaa_ -- 5'11” -- from NYC.

Where:

I’m from Sierra Leone, but I live in New York.

Agencies:

Muse (NYC) Freedom (Los Angeles) Wilhelmina (London)

- Did you always want to be a model? Tell us about how you were discovered.

For the longest time, I didn’t know what I wanted to be. I went to college for something that interested me, but it didn’t feel like my passion. Looking back, the signs were always there—I loved being in front of the camera, and even as a kid, I never played about my outfits or pictures!

It really started with my 19th birthday shoot. After that, I kept doing creative shoots and posting my pictures, and brands started reaching out. I spent about three or four months modeling for small businesses before building up the confidence to apply to agencies.

I didn’t hear back the first time. A few months later, I took new digitals while at work and felt this urge to try again. I threw Milk in London into the mix, thinking, “Why not? It doesn’t hurt to try.” They met with me the next day via Zoom, called me immediately afterward, and sent over a contract. They became my mother agency; I quit my job, and within two months, I was in London. I spent three months there building my portfolio and signed with JAG in New York before I even got home, then Freedom in LA. I’ve been modeling full time ever since, and the story is still being written.

- What are your favorite forms of self care and why?

My favorite forms of self-care are my beauty rituals, moving my body, and traveling. Keeping up with my skin and beauty maintenance makes me feel good. Working out or moving my body almost every day is non-negotiable—it makes me feel like I showed up for myself and carved out time just for me. That discipline carries into other areas of my life, too. Traveling nourishes and fuels me. It keeps life exciting and gives me something to look forward to. I always love having a trip coming up; it keeps me motivated.

- What other passions do you have aside from modeling?

Aside from modeling, my wig business, Kinks, is my baby. I sell kinky-textured hair, and I love helping women feel beautiful and confident. I’m really proud of what I’m building, and I’m enjoying the journey of watching it grow.