Meet Rayna Verdine | Model, Creative Director, Filmmaker and Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Rayna Verdine and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rayna, how do you think about risk?
Taking risk was one of my biggest fears, worried if I take the risk I wouldn’t like the outcome of it. I would before think negatively if I did this and did that that something bad would happen but it was the opposite. Taking risk is like taking your first step ; you don’t know what’s going to happen, how it’s going to happen and what’s going to happen next.

When I entered the industry as a model, I was always scared and worried that nobody would like me, want to work with me, didn’t like how I look and worried I wasn’t the size requirement but it was the opposite. I took the risk with not having any experience, training, connections or anything and just did it. It helped me build my confidence and to keep going plus expand more in my craft like creative directing, filmmaking/screenwriting, producing and directing.

Taking risk can be scary but I would tell anyone God didn’t give you the spirit of fear so you fight it and accomplish your dream and goal.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Right now, I am a freelance model in the industry being published doing print and runway modeling. I started modeling when I was about 16 years old doing it for fun but getting so much praise and encouragement from family and friends to pursue it. I started taking more seriously when I graduted from high school starting doing print and I fell in love with the camera. I was questionable about runway because of the stress and pressure but after doing one show, I fell more in love with modeling. Now, I have walked in many shows for LAFW and LA Swimweek with the Model Experience, Lady MV, LB Fashion Expo and more and winning the BEST MODEL OF THE YEAR AWARD by Los Angeles Fashion Show. Coming soon next year, I plan to do more runway shows in NEW YORK, LAS VEGAS, DALLAS, NEW ORELEANS and MIAMI.

I am expanding my creative talent getting back into filmmaking and screenwriting currently writing a few projects and soon to self-produce and self-direct them putting them in film festivals, launch my own production company and keep making films. I graduted from CSUDH majoring in Film, Television and Media with Honors and going to continue my eduation getting my other degrees in Writing for Film and Television, Women’s Studies and Entertainment Business.

Currently I own and run a small female creative network with my mom called LADIES FIRST NETWORK (@ladiesfirstnetwork). I started this company wanting to be build young women of Los Angeles, build connections, gain resources and uplift them into the beautiful women they are. Many of these women who are part of my network are in the entertainment industry, healthcare, media, business and more. We host many events to bring them together to network, connect and have fun being surorunded by many women just like them.

There’s so many things I want to do for the rest of my life especially leave an empire and legacy to my children, nieces, nephews, grandchildren and beyond. I’m just getting started and there is still so much more to come from me.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I have many favorite spots which will make it hard to pick but I would pick only the best for them. I would take them to my favorite Korean BBQ called WII KOREAN in Koreantown or BELLY BOMBZ in Artesia, then to hangout with an amazing view of the cities go to HILLTOP PARK in Signal Hill or CHERRY BEACH in Long Beach with a couple of drinks and of course of the nighlight to go to LOS GLOBOS in Los Angeles to dance the night away.

That would just be the first day and other days would go to the malls, GLENDALE GALLERIA or THE GROVE, go to amusement parks UNIVERSAL STUDIOS or KNOTT’S BERRY FARM, connect with friends and have a girls day or night out. I would make sure they have a fun experience with me and have something to remember plus want them to come back and do more together.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I have to give the BIGGEST shououts to my mom, CYNTHIA, my godmother, PASTOR EDIWNA LEWIS,
my church’s arts programs, CHILDREN’S ARTS ACADEMY and FRONTLINE PRODUCTIONS,
my auntie, VAL,
my cousin, EMI
and my boyfriend, ROGELIO.

If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t have a support system, training or even the resources to be where I am today. They all taught me new different things I didn’t know I could master and become a professional in. When I had times I doubted myself or felt “I wasn’t doing enough”, they were always there supporting me and telling to not give up because I was just getting started.

Website: https://ladiesfirstnetwork.my.canva.site/modelportfolio

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsjustrayna___/

Other: https://ladiesfirstnetwork.my.canva.site

Image Credits
Lauren Lightfoot (@lo_imagery) Emi Ford (@emianaford) Patrick Thompson (@patrickonthemoon) Blaine Dean (@blainedeanmedia) Phil Lam X (@phillamx)