Name: Akintola Jiboyewa
Age: 27
My ’hood: Nigeria/Brooklyn, N.Y.
I was discovered… As soon as my mother laid eyes on me after birth is when I was discovered! I started modeling to further my acting career. It helps to have a best friend who is the fashion editor for XXL magazine. He booked me for my first shoot and numerous ones after that. But I have also shot with The Source, Slam, and numerous clothing lines such as Akademiks, Rocawear, and Sean John.
My first VIBE photo shoot… Actually took place in February of this year [Ed: “Big Neon Glitter,” April 2009 issue]. After years of trying my persistence paid off! I was then booked for the swimwear story for the following issue.
For fun I like… Being on set, either modeling or filming. My passion for both brings jovial moments in my life. If I’m not [booked for a gig], there really isn’t time for too much fun for me ’cause I’m out hustling.
I’m hot because… The Lord told me so and to my reader you are hot as well no matter what your occupation is in life. We all share the same amount of God-given space in this world and each of our contributions plays a major role to life itself. I am a constant self-motivator, through my ups and down I can only look toward me for that push through hard times. That makes me hot, fo' sho.
Think you know, you have no idea… I have acted in two Off-Broadway plays, starred in six shorts films, two of which have been accepted to the ABFF [American Black Film Festival] and HBFF [Hollywood Black Film Festival]. I have starred in a Lincoln Mercury national commercial. See two of my shorts on my Web site: www.akintolaj.com.
My hidden talent… I don’t hide my talents, I’m sure there are still some undiscovered ones that have yet to emerge, but I try to exhaust all of my the ones that I am aware of. I am one of two writers of a major screenplay that will be in production very soon.
Four artists I bump on my iPod…
1. Nas
2. Miles Davis
3. Friendly Fires
4. Young Jeezy
Celebrities I’d love to be shot with for VIBE… Jeffrey Wright, Spike Lee, Eva Pigford [Marcille] from America’s Next Top Model, and Barack Obama.
Four photographers I would love to shoot with…
1. Francois Rousseau
2. Bruce Weber
3. Richard Phibbs
4. Mary De Cicco
Jiboyewa, as seen in VIBE's May 2009 fashion feature, "Drop It Like It's Hot."
Jiboyewa, as seen in VIBE's April 2009 fashion feature, "Big Neon Glitter."
home
