EBN #33 Nominee Male Model Nathan McKellips

Written by Crystal Walker

Nathan McKellips is definetly a man of certainty. He remebers viewing one of Calvin Klien's early 90s commercials, and he was hooked. Seeing those models, how confident, strong,and driven they were, he wanted to be and do the exact same thing. Watching those commercials was all the inspiration he needed to pursue his career as a male model. To most, modeling may seem very easy, and all about looking good behind the camera.

Nathan learned that the hard way auditioning for a runway show. Coming to the audition in cowboy boots and slacks, he gave the judges more to talk about than his walk. Even though he was made fun of, Nathan utlized that information to become more serious when it comes to modeling. He learned that it was allot more to modeling than just looking good behind the camera. taking his career to another level, he began to recieve call from different photographers for shoots. Nathan has participated in Vanderbilts Runway Show and also small runway shoe in Orlando in the year of 2011. Now 4 years strong with a agency behind him, he sees his dreams coming true. Nathan would like to take his career to L.A. this summer, after he finishes his last semester in school, to focus more on acting. He wants to explore all of his talents. Nathan sees himself doing t.v. series to sitcoms in the future. Now, Nathan will be involved in the upcoming National Fashion Week. Vote for Nathan

EBN #32 Nominee Model Nina Covington

Written by Crystal Walker

Since a little girl, Nina has always admired red fashion. Even with the height of 5'3 she always loved the world of fashion and modeling. Growing up over the years, and all the models you see are either 5'7 or taller. She felt as if she couldn't even think about pursuing a career with modeling. One day shes doing photo retouching for a photographer, and he wanted to shoot her. Amazed, excited, and surprised all at the same time, she went to Florida for her first photo shoot. Every since that first photo shoot, nothing was holding Nina back.

A year and a half later, she is more pumped than when she was a little girl. She noticed becoming a model really pulled her out of her shell. She became more confident , and her self esteem boosted. Realizing that this isn't a industry for shy people at all, she had to be brave and come out of her safe box. Nina feels as a model, since she started out latter than most, she works extra hard to always come up with creative things. Nina loves art modeling, She loves when her images can create and tell a story. Nina story is definitely being told, with work by Thomas Dodd Force of Nature, her pictures are showcased in a Gallery in Paris. For the first time, she will have her all of her work shown in a gallery called Norgrets. This upcoming April she will be showcased in a art call in Clarksville, she has been in Steam Punk Fashion book, and she looks forward of more publication work in the future. Being nominated for best female model of the year, put Nina at a stand still. She couldn't believe it. Nina feels so honored to know that all of her hard work is being acknowledged and is paying off. She knows she is surrounded by so many wonderful models, and to get recognized, makes her eternally grateful. Vote for Nina Covington

EBN #31 Nominee Make up artist Tia Adams

Written by Crystal Walker

Moving from the Twin Cities, all the way to Music City. Ms. Tia Adams has made her way to the south to bring a new image, when it comes to art, dealing with the body. For the past year Tia has made her body art well known through the industry. She always knew she had the desire for art, but just couldn’t quite find anything that peeked her interest. As a make up artist there are limitations, and that’s something Tia wasn't with. She wanted to express herself bodily, and through body art she was able to do just that. Taking her career very serious, she began her research on every project that is in front of her. If it's research from a previous painter, and she adds her special touch, or to do something complete different, regardless she puts her time and effort into each piece. When she begins her pieces she just remembers to always go above and beyond. She began to have her worked showcased with RAW Artists in Nashville. She completed promotional work with Super Bob, and allot of different photographers as well. Can you imagine a 7 hour piece painted onto your body? With the skills from Tia that's what you will receive. Tia takes her art very serious and only can deal with serious inquires. She has realized in this business, people don't always want to pay for greatness. That's why she only works with those who respect their career and hustle, as well as her career and hustle. Tia has a Facebook/paintthebody where you can stay updated on her projects, and contact information as well.

EBN #30 Nominee Model Alexandra Van Zeelandt

Written by Crystal Walker

Ms Alexandra Van Zeelandt, has been working so hard in this world of entertainment! Coming from Brooklyn, NY, Alexandras' eye for of life was opened very early. At 12 years old, she moved to Franklin, TN. Dealing with such a dramatic change of scenery, Alexandra managed her time wisley. Around the age of 14, she dabbled in the universe of modeling. Very young, she decided against it. She felt something more, more than just being a model, but still didn't quite know. Coming froim a strong family, her mother would tell her how she could do, and be anything she wanted to be. Alexandra was the only person who could elliminate Alexandra from accomplishingnher dreams. Having a height of 5'5, in the modeling industry, is something that could quickly put doubt in any models' mind.

But when one person has so much charisma, passion, drive, and self motivation. Nothing will hold you back. Alexandra has that and then some. She used her height to intrigued others. Studying classics photos, while learning angles, she made herself a creative creature of art. Working in the world of entertainment Alexandra endured allot. Working as a actress, and a model as well, people would think of only dealing with pressures of auditions. Alexandra had to deal with the cattiness that came from other models. Throughout all the back talk and scrutiny she had to endure, she always held her own, and never backed down. She knew if there was something she wanted, she could apply herself. in which Ms. Van Zeelandt did, her drive, passion, and dedication all became visible through her personality. Her career has been very promising and fulfilling over the years. She has landed many jobs, from Vogue Italian Magazine, which she was featured for 3 different issues. Alexandra has had pictures showcased in four galleries in the year of 2012, a jewelry commercial that was aired in AL, TN, and GA. Since 2013 Alexandra has finished 3 calenders. She has a small part in a Martin Scorsese film entitled, The Wolf of Wall Street". Also she is featured in the next magazine called Bachelor Pad, which should be out this Spring. With all of her success, Alexandra wants to use her experience to inspire new models and models already within the industry. She wants to instill how to not always believe what people have to say. She wants people to know that we are all a child of God, and we are who we are. Create your art and be the one to deliver. To stay updated on this actress/model her facebook link is facebook/alexandravanzeelandt Vote for Alex

EBN #29 Nominee Hair Stylist Miciah Dycus

Written by Crystal Walker

There are so many ways to express your own creativity. When it comes to Miciah Dycus, he is an artist in the salon. Coming from Milian, TN, Miciah has put his stamp on hair in Nashville. Receiving his inspiration from, celebrity hairstylist Ken Paves of Los Angeles, CA. He had his mind on exactly what he wanted to accomplish. For the past 9 years Miciah has made himself a hair mogul towards many clients. Starting out he always had the desire for enhancing ones beauty, and through hair, is how he brings it out.

In 2003 he won first place in Female Hair Shaping at the NCA Annual Competition. Since 2005, Miciah has been working with hair throughout the Nashville area. In 2006 he began his career at Salon FX, where he allowed himself to grow as a stylist, but artist as well. Throughout the time, working at Salon FX, he began to allot of freelance work as well. Anyway for Miciah to help make himself marketable he did. Taking a break from the salon, he managed to land many freelance gigs along the way. He didn't want to just keep his skills within the salon, and he walkways looked for ways to make himself known as a stylist. He managed landing jobs with Warner Bro, with Jenson, for photo shoots. He worked with Vanderbilt for the years of 2009 and 2010 participating with the Make A Wish Foundation fashion show. He has worked for Bernard Porter, of Porter and Gentry Artist Development. He has done work with Raw Artist Fashion, for photo shoots as well. Tennessee Morning working with Kelly Sutton, and many more. Now, with his EBN awards nomination for Best Male Hair Stylist of the year, he feels ecstatic, and blown away. The feeling of his hard work being recognized, and appreciated, brings him to tears. Today, Miciah is still working with Salon FX, after taking his year off from the salon atmosphere. For more information he can be found through his facebook at www.facebook.com/miciahhairartistry Vote for Miciah

EBN #28 Nominee Indie Author Ricardo Ownes

Written by Crystal Walker

Going through life's struggles everyone has their own special way of dealing with such things. When it comes to Ricardo Owens, born and raised in Marshall Co. He expresses himself through spoken word, public speaking, and writing. At a very young age he became hospitalized due to a brain tumor that was found. Undergoing surgery he accumulated his first stroke. By the age of 19 and 23 he had had a total of 3 strokes within his life. In the end result he became partially paralyzed on his left side, and had to learn to walk again.

Imagining mentally, how to process that type of situation and how that could affect someone. Ricardo received his trials; learned to adapt in life with his disability. He could've easily chose the "poor me" road and feel down about his situation. Instead he chose to turn every negative thought into motivation for what he loves to do. By April 2010 Ricardo released a book entitled "Abstract Beyond Vizion". He felt his writing is beyond what people would imagine and that's where his title of his first book came from. Also on his book, he leaves his motto, which states "Overall this book is written to be an inspiration to its world of readers by being told something is impossible for you-do it and do it better than you are expected to". Continuing to push his book, he still managed to perform his spoken word. Being a hour away he performs in Nashville at places such as B.B. King, Sound Therapy, and Garden Brunch Cafe where he actually started his spoken word career. Today Ricardo is still focused on his writing. He has a new book coming out really soon, and looks forward to get back on the scene with spoken word and public speaking. While putting together his poetry cd as well. Now being nominated for best indie author of the year for the 2013 EBN Awards, he wasn't expecting this type of recognition at all, he just sees that God has put him here for some purpose. He feels allot of people couldn't survive the things that he endured, so being nominated when you're in lower standards, it feels good. To stay updated and to get more information on Ricardo's medical journey, you can go to his website at www.ricardoaowens.com Vote for Ricardo