‘Schooling and modelling was not easy as I was still in secondary school. I trained every day after school and even on weekends. Back then, established models I met in the line of duty often intimidate me because I was the youngest amongst them.” – Melissa Omede

Her odyssey into the world of modelling fascinates me. I have met several models that have weathered their ups and downs until they made it onto the big stage, but hardly have any of them ventured into this profession right from their high school days. I can’t imagine how she was able to manage peer and family pressure that might have resulted from misunderstanding her motive and reason for picking an interest in a profession often misconstrued by folks from this side of the divide.

‘Schooling and modelling was not easy as I was still in secondary school. I trained every day after school and even on weekends. Back then, established models I met in the line of duty often intimidate me because I was the youngest amongst them. Most of them were in the University or had graduated. Most times I was rejected on some jobs because of my age. They often complained that I was too young and some people said I should quit modelling till I was older. I started receiving bad comments from people in my school and around my home saying that I was doing the devil’s job at my young age but I was too determined and in love with modelling to listen to them’ -Melissa.

Now a student of University of Benin studying Chemical Engineering, this young lady has come a long way and her head is above waters. She’s aiming to be the best in her modelling career and I am of the
opinion that it will be hard for any naysayer to take her off track. Listening to her tell her story is encouraging: ‘My full name is Omede Melissa Osagbemwenorhue but I am popularly known as Melissa Davids. I am from Benin city, Edo state. Born into a family of five, the last of three children. I am a model, I am 6ft tall, dark in complexion with astatistics of 33 27 36,’ she began.

‘Modelling is something I have always wanted to do ever since I was a little girl. I discovered my passion for modelling the first time I watched a fashion show on the Fashion One channel. I started having my own mini-shows for mymother and my own photo-shoots in front of my mirror. I started modeling professionally 2015 at the age of 15 at the graduation ceremony of the students of Afemai School of Fashion. This was not easy as I was young andnot trained. I signed with my first agency (Splashedge Modelling Agency) where I was groomed and walked my first show (Green Naija Fashion Show and Awards-GNFSA) under the management of Splashedge Modelling Agency.

The combination of schooling and modelling was not easy as I was still in secondary school at that time. The journey was tough but interesting. I will do it all over again if I have to. My passion for modeling is absolute. So far, I have modelled in many shows like the just concluded Art Africa Festival, and many others.  I have also modelled for different photographers and brands. Besides modelling, I have also acquired other skills. I learnt fashion designing and bead making during the little holidays I had back then in secondary school. As a model, I aim to become a world class model, to have my name marked in the history of fashion and to model for prestigious shows and elite photographers.’ – OMEDE MELISSA

– Sesan Adeniji