Nikki DuBose

Nikki DuBose
Residence	Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Nationality	American
Alma mater	California Southern University
Occupation	model, author, speaker, activist
Height	5 ft. 9 in.
Website	http://nikkidubose.com

Nikki DuBose is a host, model, and actress turned author, speaker, and mental health advocate.^[1]

Modeling and hosting

DuBose enrolled at the age of fifteen in Charleston, South Carolina at Millie Lewis, Models and Talent. There she learned runway training and print modeling. Reportedly, she was shamed by her teacher in front of the class because of her weight, and she left the school soon after.^[2]

Nikki worked as a television host for less than a year before signing a modeling contract with Irene Marie Models Miami and then, Elite Model Management Miami. She became the face of Perry Ellis Swim and landed the cover of Maxim Germany, where they coined her, “The New Bombshell.” She appeared in Glamour, Vanity Fair, FHM Spain, Vogue and Elle, acted in various commercials, and walked the runway for designers such as Chloe, Roxy, Quicksilver, Paola Robba, and Fredericks of Hollywood.

Eventually, she moved to New York City and Europe and modeled in cities such as Paris, London, Tel Aviv, and Barcelona. She has repeatedly talked about in interviews and articles how hard it was for her to find work because of her curvy body.^[3] She was turned away in many cities, mainly Paris and Tel Aviv, and in the fall of 2011 she developed anorexia nervosa. She continued to work in Spain for a year, booking the cover of Mia magazine three times in 2012, and appearing in six editorials before she had to leave the modeling industry, due to her illness. That same year she appeared in AR magazine Spain four times, and was on the cover of Clara.^[4] She also appeared in U.S. Maxim calendar with Kesha, as Miss April.^[5]

According to an interview with People, she disclosed that she was raped and sexually harassed during her time in the modeling industry, which "exacerbated" her eating disorders.^[6]

Commercials and television

During her modeling career she appeared in commercials and videos for SEAT Espana, Good Hair Day and Perry Ellis Swim. She had a brief appearance on HBO's Entourage (U.S. TV series) in 2008 and USA Network's Burn Notice in 2010.

In an interview with The Doctors (talk show), Nikki admitted that at some point during her modeling career she became pregnant, and her agency suggested to her to have an abortion. Afterwards, the same agency dropped her from her contract.^[7] Nikki has appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Network on the TD Jakes Show ^[8] and on CBS LA ^[9] to talk about her recovery from mental health issues and how the unregulated modeling industry triggered her problems.

Author, speaker and mental health advocacy

DuBose has been an outspoken force in the mental health field, especially on the topic of eating disorders. She writes for the Huffington Post about the modeling industry, political issues, and mental health, as well as for the National Eating Disorders Association,^[10] Eating Disorder Hope, and on her website^[11] about her experiences growing up and in the fashion industry with binge eating, bulimia and anorexia nervosa. According to DuBose, her mental health issues developed when she was eight years old, after she was sexually, physically and psychologically abused. ^[12] She also writes and talks about her experiences with drug, alcohol addictions, and self harm behavior, as well as obsessive compulsive disorder and body dysmorphic disorder.^[13] She has stated that her eating disorders and mental health issues lasted for over seventeen years, but she has since been in strong recovery since 2012.^[14]

Her memoir, Washed Away: From Darkness to Light, was released on September 30, 2016 by Outskirts Press in the United States.^[15] The book is scheduled for French language release in France, early 2017 with Editions Du Rocher. In addition to non-fiction, she also writes poetry, and is currently working on a poetry book.

DuBose formed the Artist Initiative team for the National Eating Disorders Association, which seeks to raise awareness in the entertainment and artistic industries about eating disorders.^[16] She volunteered at the 2014 NEDA Conference in San Antonio, Texas.^[17]

She has spoken to and mentored young people on Skid Row, Los Angeles with Union Rescue Mission. Through her art therapy project and personal story, she was able to teach young people about inner beauty and self-esteem.^[18]

Nikki is a keynote speaker and gives talks often for prestigious universities, events and treatment centers on the topics of eating disorders, child abuse, sexual victimization, mental health, the modeling industry, and her personal recovery story.^[19]

DuBose worked with Assemblymember Marc Levine on AB 2539, which addressed the need for "workplace protections and health standards in the modeling industry." She has been profiled on CBS News Los Angeles, Inquisitr, L.A. Weekly, Esquire and other prominent news sources for her advocacy work and desire to make changes within the modeling industry.

Charity

Nikki is currently a Celebrity Ambassador for The Shaw Mind Foundation, a global non profit based in the UK that offers support for those suffering from mental health issues.^[20]

In 2008, DuBose teamed up with Do Something and Charitybuzz, and raised money with “Win a Date with Nikki DuBose” where all of the money went to fund school supplies.^[21]

She serves on the Executive Board of Project Heal SoCal Chapter, a nonprofit that raises funds for those suffering from eating disorders and can't afford treatment. She also serves on the Board of Directors of Peaceful Hearts Foundation, a nonprofit started by Matthew Sandusky that seeks to help survivors of child sexual abuse.

References