‘Next Top Model’ Azmarie: ‘Always give back’

I had the pleasure of meeting AzMarie (or Ashley Marie Livingston) — charming, obviously attractive and down to earth — this summer during EDEN Pride Events in San Francisco. Google her name and you get one of two things, either something about her appearance on America’s Next Top Model and her unconfirmed relationship with Raven-Symone. We talked about what it means to be an out, androgynous, lesbian model, who her role models have been, coming out to her gay father when she was young and what she sees for her future.

Robyn Vie-Carpenter: How how long have you been out?

AzMarie: Well, I’m 26, about to be 27 and I came out when I was 14.

That’s awesome! You’re from a generation that seems to have the freedom to come out much younger. 

It’s been worked on for such a long time (by people before us) for people my age to be like, you don’t like it, what’re you going to do? I mean, my dad, he’s openly gay, and he would speak to me about what it was like before — what it was like with his parents and how he could never really discuss (his sexual orientation) because of what their generation was like. I was very strong about it when I was younger and I’ve very strong about it now. Your sexuality shouldn’t be detrimental to your life.

Do you feel as though it’s easier to accept you because you are living an authentic life? You were very open about your sexuality on Top Model.

Exactly. I mean I have other family members that are out. So, I wasn’t saying it to be (defiant). I was saying it so you knew, it was affirmed, you didn’t have to question it and then I can keep doing my thing. You don’t have to ask me later.

Does it get in the way of getting modeling work? 

As far as the modeling industry, they know what they want. I’ve had my ups and downs with it. I’ve traveled. I’ve been across the country. I didn’t understand why agencies didn’t want to pick me. And then I got into that thing that I was being so authentic that they didn’t know what to do. They didn’t know what clients to sell me to.

The biggest thing that happened for me was [with] Beth Ann Hardison (legendary influencer in fashion, particularly for models of color). She said, don’t take no for an answer. And I said, I don’t because I believe in myself. Let me send you my pictures. She took a look at my pictures and 20 minutes later, she called back to tell me to book a flight and come to New York that Monday. She set up meetings for me with all of the agencies and said if I don’t get people to pay attention in the country, then go out of the country.

(This is common, particularly for models of color. The American market is notorious for having very narrow parameters for success in the industry. Most models of color are well received in other countries, particularly in London and Paris.)

So what you did you do?

I did everything I could. I sold my car. And I went to London for a year. It was a different experience. They embraced me like no other. I knew what it was to be received by people that wanted you. They knew what to do with me — that was the biggest change for me. Now I understand why everyone goes overseas, gets big and then comes back.

What happened when you came back to the States?

The acceptance was there. I was able to walk into agencies and choose who was going to accurately represent me.

What are your plans?

With all of the things that I’ve experienced, I want to work more with youth so they have someone to look up to. The biggest thing that I think about is in everything I do, always give back. Modeling isn’t financially secure enough. After playing Melanie Griffiths girlfriend on the Logo series DTLA, I got more attention, so now I’m working on my music.

My music is always positive. I like to kind of put a message in there, mostly on love/life experiences. Just trying to get people to see they need to be about something.

Are we going to be hearing about an album coming out soon?

I don’t want to come out as an artist in the United States right now — I would like to come out in London. I mean, [although] I’ll be going with modeling there, I think my music will be received better there. I’m reading a lot and taking business classes, so that I can learn to handle my business.

How do you find inspiration?

I find that I create meaning in things that other people don’t find meaningful. I create new meaning for things.

I like it. Changing people’s perspective is powerful. Who are your musical role models?

I love Patty La Belle. I love Anita Baker. All of the music I listen to is all about love. It is the most universal message that anyone can listen to, by any artist, even rappers. [My music] will still have a modern sound. I learned from my parents about using the N-bomb in music. They said, we like what you’re saying, we just need you not to say it like that. Say whatever else you need to say, but don’t say that. I know as an artist you have to say some things that you have to say. I also know you have to pay attention to your message.