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 Sometimes the best things come in unique packages, and that is surely the case with the 23-year-old blonde bombshell known as Precious. Precious -- who hails from London, as her strong British accent displays -- has been in the modeling industry for over 18 years. Starting at the age of 4 and working in places like Denmark, Italy, Portugal, France and now the US, Precious (which is also her birth name) has come a long way.
While most girls cannot pull off the un-natural blonde look, Precious does. And whether it's her upcoming cosmetic line, gracing the covers of one of the top urban magazines or becoming an actress, it seems Precious will have the drive to pull that off too. Luckily for us, the blonde Brit was able to sit down with Ballerstatus.com to discuss her transition from London to NYC, why her derrière is suddenly growing bigger and how she's caused a couple car accidents in her day.
BallerStatus.com: Give me a little background about yourself?
Precious: I'm from London. I've been modeling since I was 4 years old. I went to a fashion university in Central London and I studied fashion design and got a degree in it. When I was 18, I signed a five-year contract with a Danish magazine.
BallerStatus.com: Quick life story huh, so is your real name Precious?
Precious: Yes, it's Precious Andeleana Muir.
BallerStatus.com: How was the transition coming from London to NY?
Precious: It's definitely different here. Obviously it's kind of difficult because I'm away from my family and it's tough because I have to be careful with who to trust. It's also different in the U.S. because there are a lot more ethnic models here. In England there were very few ethnic models and I was usually one of three ethnic models at any given shoot. I was used to being around every other race but black. Weight is a big deal over in England too. I could not be over a certain weight.
BallerStatus.com: Yeah over here the thicker the better.
Precious: I know! Now I weigh 110 lbs and my bum is a lot bigger!
BallerStatus.com: That's good!
Precious: I'm telling you if I stood next to the girls in Europe I would not get a job, I'm too curvy. I think it's in you're food, because I didn't look like this before. And I don't put on weight anywhere else, just to the bum.
BallerStatus.com: It's probably the grease. But back to you ... what's your ethnicity?
Precious: I'm a lot of things. I'm white, black, Jamaican and Portuguese.
BallerStatus.com: The blonde hair really stands out. Why go blonde?
Precious: I've been blonde since I was 18. The blonde hair got me my first contract. I always had highlights, but when I was 18 I died it all blonde, went to the agency and they gave me a contract. I love the color and my hair is natural, so I just keep dying it blonde. And my hair is naturally very curly, so I also straighten it too. The blonde hair goes well with my complexion too. You know some people might not fit it, but I think it fits me well. It's funny too, because the people over here in the U.S really find it interesting and people never know where I'm from because of the blonde hair.
BallerStatus.com: What really made you decide to come over from London?
Precious: I wanted to expand my career and make it better. In London there's only so far an ethnic girl can go. It's not racism, but there's less requests for someone of my color or race. It's not really about race, it's really just about selling magazines. And the people that buy the magazines overseas tend to like other kinds of girls. Obviously it's better for me because there's not much competition, but there's not as many markets. There's really no urban magazine scene over there, there's nothing.
BallerStatus.com: So did you have a plan in coming over here or was it a spur-of-the-moment type thing?
Precious: Well, I've been coming here every year since 2003. I came here for a couple of weeks the first time, then a couple of months, then six months and now I'm here. Each time I came I met new people, I went to different events, socialized with the right people and used the Internet to see what agencies were good. I was then approached by global entertainment, they saw my Myspace page and they liked it. I was very unsure at first. I went down to the agency, had several meetings with them. I took the contract home, read it over several times, and then eventually I signed it.
BallerStatus.com: Other than the international magazine circuit is there anywhere else people can see you?
Precious: I've done a lot of shows here in the U.S. I've done a lot of fashion shows. I did the Keyshia Cole video, "Let It Go," as well as a video for Dizzee Rascal overseas. I've been in Silk Magazine, FHM UK edition, and a bunch of Danish magazines, but right now I'm focusing on my website and my cosmetic line. I'm trying to gear fans towards my website right now.
BallerStatus.com: Which is...
Precious: PreciousFromLondon.com.
BallerStatus.com: Is there anything right now you're working on?
Precious: I'm currently trying to get into KING and Smooth magazines. I'm trying to get into some urban magazines that will help get my face out there. I am trying to push my cosmetic line, which will be coming out soon and there are also some movies in which I may be able to act. Acting is my strong point. I have had a lot of training in acting and I am going to read some scripts for a couple upcoming movies. There are a lot of projects right now to work on for this upcoming summer.
BallerStatus.com: What's the cosmetic line going to be called?
Precious: Precious London.
BallerStatus.com: So how has it been as a female dealing with all the men in the industry?
Precious: Well since I've been in the industry for so long I have really become aware of a lot of things. And you can't be naive in this business. You must make sure you know where you're going. I have experienced nothing but good things so far. I have met a lot of people who say certain things and it may not happen, but I haven't had any really bad experiences. All the photographers I have worked with have done major magazines. Of course on the general scale there are a lot of guys who try to talk to me.
BallerStatus.com: I'm sure. So since you brought up men ... is Precious from London single?
Precious: Yeah! Definitely (laughter).
BallerStatus.com: You say definitely, like you could never do a relationship, what's up with that?
Precious: It's not that. I've had bad experiences with men over here. I've had better experiences with men over in London. Not to say that you guys are bad but...
 BallerStatus.com: Hey don't classify! Don't say you guys!
Precious: (laughter) I mean some American men are very different compared to British men. The relationships that I've had in England have been a little bit more easy going. American men are more aggressive, they want to control you a little bit more, and I don't like that at all. But American men are definitely sexier.
BallerStatus.com: Really, so we have hope.
Precious: Their very different. American guys dress nice, it's very different.
BallerStatus.com: So are you more attracted to a British or American guy?
Precious: Neither. They both have different qualities that I like. Of course it depends on the guy. I don't date younger guys though. I always date a little older than myself. I like a mature guy. I like a guy who has his head on straight.
BallerStatus.com: So what's been the most interesting way a guy has tried to pick you up?
Precious: Well, when I was in Miami a lot of guys were definitely rude to me. But I was in Miami walking down Ocean Drive and one guy was driving while trying to talk to me. He was driving a really nice car and while he was trying to talk to me, he completely crashed into the car in front of him.
BallerStatus.com: So basically you cause accidents?
Precious: I didn't mean to (laughter). Guys are funny. It's very different in the U.S. Guys will grab you in the club, pull your arm. In England guys are more laid back.
BallerStatus.com: So what's one of your major turn-offs?
Precious: Bad teeth. If you have bad teeth or bad hygiene, I can't do it. But on the other end, if you have a great smile, great body and great eyes it's a complete turn-on.
BallerStatus.com: So where can we expect to see you in the next year Ms. London?
Precious: Hopefully in magazines. I want to definitely expand my make-up and cosmetic line to infomercials and television. Really I just want to make good money, be very successful and have a great career. The point of working so hard is to get a good return and that's what I want. I want to be all set by the time I'm 30.
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