In every music video or on a movie set, Valerie always comes with her A-game. Beautiful and brainy, this lady could choose a career in any field in the entertainment industry and do well at all of them. Without doubts, her tremendous rise as a commercial and hip-hop model leaves most of her contemporaries awestruck. Apart from being very professional at her job, Valerie is a team player that contributes to every production process.

Words by Sesan Adeniji 

Dedicated, focus and constantly learning from every setback and successes, this lady seems to blossom where most wither. Her journey up the hierarchy has allowed her to partake in advertorial jobs, get acting roles and also listed as a video vixen in several top videos. In an industry where doubts and misconceptions plunged several creative minds beneath the mud, Valerie Odemokpa continues to flourish like a lotus flower. 

 “My full name is Odemokpa Valerie Sarah. I am 20-years old, from Edo state, Auchi to be precise. I am a 300 level student studying English, Faculty of Arts at the University Of Lagos. I am a commercial and video model who also doubles as an actor. My journey as a model started at the age of 15. I had to learn how to be independent. I started with ushering and activation jobs. I registered with different agencies but left because I wasn’t satisfied. I wanted more, I wanted big, so I became a freelance model.

In 2016, I turned 18 and got admitted to the University Of Lagos. That same year, I became a video model; this was made possible with the help of a friend, Mary Colette. She talked me into it. Mary was already a top model with working experience with the top known names. Watching her do her business. I feel in love with the idea that I can also make a name for myself and as well by make a lot of money. I got in touch with Opeyemi, who handles models for the video director called Unlimited LA. And at first I was scared that I might be ignored but he proved me wrong. He was nice.

 By making that move, I had my first shoot with Unlimited LA in Ibadan, it was a wonderful experience, and I loved it. After that shoot, other directors noticed me. As of today, I am happy to say I have worked with practically almost all the directors in Nigeria. The first major video that brought me to limelight was “Sade” by Mayorkun, directed by Clarence Peters. I respect all the directors.

 I also featured in music videos like Shaydee’s ‘Make Sense’ ft. Wizkid. DMW’s ‘Mind’, Ceeza Milli’s “Yapa” Harmonize’s ‘Shula Lala’ ft. Korede Bello, Skales’s “Ego”, Attitude’s “Higher Your Body” Flowolf’s “No Shaking” ft Peruzzi and Mayorkun, CDQ’s “Ghana Must Go”, K. Brule’s “Special”, Idahams’s “Amayanabo” Ruffcoin’s “Yati Yati” ft. Rudeboy and also in Yemi Alade’s “Charliee“. 

 As an actress, I did play a role in Jenifa’s Diary. I was once part of a Coca-Cola commercial and I have also done several editorial features. To be sincere, it hasn’t been an easy ride. I’m still baffled that at this present-day Nigeria, some folks still frown at runway and video models for baseless norms. The fact remains that models are an integral part of the creative process in the art and entertainment industry” – Valerie