Toya

Meet Toya - We came across her Instagram page and fell in love with her zest for life through her amazing photos.  You only live once and Toya is following her passion of modeling and dancing. She is setting an example that many will follow and she is the definition of Smart is so Sexy.  "Chase your dreams. Live your Life. Be happy." - @Toya__Bae  (SISS)  Hi Toya, Where are you from and where are you currently spending your time?  (Toya)  I am from Jamaica and I’m currently on a break from school so there is no specific place where I spend my time. I go wherever my spirit takes me or wherever an opportunity leads me.  (SISS)  What was one of the hardest things that you had to go through? What advice would you give someone going through the same struggle?  (Toya)  One of the hardest things I had to go through is the lack of faith and purpose for myself. Nobody understood why I wanted to dance or be a model and I didn’t want to do what everybody else was doing. I knew from I was a child that I wanted to be a part of the Creative and Mass Media Industry and I was sticking to that. There was a time I felt lost and alone and I struggled with myself. Things that I was sure about I wasn’t so sure and it put me in a very complicated situation where I wanted to disappear. There was no reassurance.  My advice to someone who experiences this kind of struggle is that YOUR TIME WILL COME. The time when you know what you want and things are finally coming together, it will come. Be patient, work hard and most importantly trust god and the process.  (SISS) Tell us more #SISS who is @Toya__Bae? What are you most proud of?  (Toya)  @__Toyabae is a dancer first before she is anything else. I started dancing when I was 4 and I fell in love. The modeling came years after when I started college but I always had a “thing” for it. Modeling has sort of taken over my life more than dancing but everyone who knows me personally know that ill always and forever be a dancer which is why I took it upon myself to dance professionally and pursue a degree in performance and choreography. I love taking pictures and my image is something that I was complimented on regularly and so it lead me to try different looks and express myself in front of a camera and every opportunity I got with doing that I took it. What I’m proud of today is my work ethic and how I stood my ground when nobody believed in me and I may not be where I want to be but at least I’m doing what makes me happy and I’m climbing my way each day.  (SISS)  How dedicated are you to fitness? What is your fitness goal? What is your favorite and least favorite part of your body?  (Toya)  I’m extremely dedicated to fitness. To be honest I’m the worst person when it comes to eating healthy so I ensure that I hit the gym a lot to maintain my body. Whenever I prepare my daily/monthly schedule, gym is always included. I don’t have a fitness goal I just work on keeping my body toned. My favorite part of my body would be my legs and least favorite would be my arms.  (SISS)  How do you deal with disappointment? How do you keep going?  (Toya)  I’m a cry baby lol. There are moments when I go into my little shell and feel discouraged but I thank god for the support of my family and friends. It’s always good when you have a solid support system because in rough times you’re going to need one. My love and passion and my drive to inspire people is what mainly motivates me to keep going.  (SISS)  Can you tell us four things people don’t know about you?  (Toya)  I struggle with self esteem issues. I prefer writing down my thoughts rather than talking about them. I spend a lot of time by myself. I eat anything creamy or chocolatey when my nerves start to act up.  (SISS)  What’s your favorite quote?  (Toya)  Life is not a Journey it’s a Destination. Its literal and cliché but it’s the truth. The only time life ends is when you die and even when you feel like you’ve reached to the point where you’ve been heading to all this time there is always room for more.  (SISS)  Can you tell us where our readers can follow your daily inspiration?  (Toya)  Well, I try my best to motivate and share my experiences through social media. Instagram: @Toya__Bae Snapchat: @toyerrr_chica  (SISS)  Can you take us through a typical day? From when you wake up to going to bed.  (Toya)  My typical day would be waking up and laying in my bed for at least 1 or 2 hours on my phone checking messages and emails and going through social media. Then I would prepare my tea and breakfast and head out on the road. It’s either a photo shoot, video shoot, gym or I’m running errands. Then I come home and I’m back on my phone, listening to music or watching my favorite series on Netflix.  (SISS)  What’s your favorite meal?  (Toya)  Shrimp Pasta and my favorite fast food is Burger King.  (SISS) What’s your favorite song?  (Toya)  Flawless by Beyonce  (SISS)  What’s your favorite book?  (Toya)  Think Like A Man. I haven’t read another since I've read Think Like A Man but I recently started The Power of Being A Woman by Michelle McKinney Hammond.  (SISS) When do you feel the sexiest?  (Toya)  I don’t have a moment or time when I feel the sexiest. I’m sexy all the time, whatever I wear and whatever I do I feel sexy, even on my days when I look and feel like a bum.  (SISS)  Is there someone on social media that inspires you and is a great follow?  (Toya)  Yes, Justine Skye. She is a model and an artist as well who isn’t afraid to be herself when she goes out there. Everything about her is unique from her hair to her clothes to her personality and that’s what made me cling to her. I’m literally her biggest fan.  (SISS)  Where were you five years ago?  (Toya)  Five years ago I was in my last year of high school preparing for exams and graduation. I didn’t know that I would start modeling because my only interest was dance at the time. What I would tell myself back then is if you don’t believe in yourself nobody else will and once you believe you can do anything then nothing and no one will be able to stop you.  (SISS)  What is your superpower?  (Toya)  Lol. My superpower is being Toya. I’m the best at being myself and I can’t help but share that with other people.  (SISS)  What does Smart Is So Sexy mean to you?  (Toya)  A woman is never just beautiful or attractive in terms of her outside appearance. Being intelligent, hardworking, determined and independent and confident are the characteristics of what makes us extraordinaire. We don’t need to be told that we’re pretty or beautiful because we already know that. Acknowledge our mindset and the ability to stand on our own without a man. That is what’s attractive and sexy, our face and physique is just a bonus.  (SISS) Thank you so much Toya for sharing with us, please follow her on Instagram @Toya__Bae