Meet April Alexander, Multi-talented Creative, Caribbean from Essex #YemziGirl #53
Hey April please introduce yourself...who is April Alexander, where is she from and what does she do?
Hi #YemziGirl, my name April Alexander! I am a multi disciplinary creative from Essex, currently residing in South London by way of the gorgeous Caribbean islands of Jamaica, St Lucia and Dominica by way of my grandparents.
You are a lady of many talents - modelling, photography, writing. If you had to put them in order of passion what would that look like?
This is quite a hard question and one that I believe most creatives with a lot of disciplines would struggle to answer however I am loving photography at the moment. I love being the other side of the camera and being more in control of what I create. The same could be said for when I write and creating pieces of fiction. Modelling is great because I am able to become a different person each day and morph as and when the brief tells me to. My newest love is acting, which is a hobby at the moment but it’s a field I’m definitely excited to explore and learn more about.
What has been your best booking to date?
My best job to date was booking a featured role in Disney’s Maleficent II. It was a surreal experience and one I’ll cherish forever.
With the corona lockdown how have you been spending your time (aside from making hilarious TikToks)?
Haha! Thank you, I’m glad you have enjoyed my TikToks. During quarantine I have been trying to educate myself on social injustices, speaking up and trying to get to know myself more. Ironically, it has been a great season to slow down and heal, rest and reset. It’ll be interesting when needing to take what I have discovered in quarantine and having to apply it to my life once the “real world” opens up again properly.
Where is the first place you're going once Boris releases the reigns of lockdown?
I haven’t really thought about it if I’m honest. I’ll probably just meet up with a few friends for a cold drink in the sun (weather permitting)
Has the recent #BLM movement had an impact on your life?
Yes, the most recent movement has impacted me much more than I thought it would have. I am pro black and have always been pro black. I have never been one to shy away from uncomfortable conversations regarding race, that’s just how I was raised however these past few weeks have weighed heavily on me.
Speaking to a few of my black friends we have spoken about how the most recent events have enabled certain racial traumas we have personally experienced through the years to be unearthed once more, forcing us to face the memories head on again. It has been draining to say the least however, this is exactly what we as a society needed. Especially in Britain.
For far too long Britain has ignored their racist tendencies and denounced their apparent white privilege and it has been incredibly damaging to a lot of black and brown individuals. This movement has allowed white people in particular, who have been unaware of what a nightmare we as black people live in from day to day to see and start to understand how they need to change in order for systematic change and for white supremacy to be dismantled. So I think it has been a wake up call for all of us and a start of the education we have all needed. It has been a mirror to the face kind of moment.
We all need to speak up for what is right more frequently and we all must fight against discrimination by being actively anti-racist in order to even attempt to lead a life as close to equity as possible.
You have a very calm and peaceful energy, how do you stay so level headed?
Haha! That’s very nice that you say that. I am working on it daily, especially during lockdown. Reading my bible, going to bible study, using apps like Headspace, journaling and to be honest just being ruthlessly honest with myself about myself is enabling me to to get closer to a sense of Self and discovering inner peace. I am not perfect and I am definitely not ”there” yet but I like time think it’s more about the journey and not the destination. I’m enjoying really stripping myself bare and exploring the real me one day at a time.
For fashion are you a plain or printed type?
I am definitely more of a plain fashion type of person. I mean my clothes have to Be the complete opposite to my personality otherwise there’d be too much going on! Haha... but yeah I try to lean towards Classic comfortable fits. I am in the process of evolving my wardrobe and trying to be a bit more feminine so who knows what I may be dressing like next year.
Favourite quote?
Nothing will work unless you do - Maya Angelou
What piece of Yemzi do you love or have your eye on?
If I'm honest I am loving quite a few pieces from Yemzi! But if I had to choose it would probably be the silk shirt! I am more of a shirt sort of woman especially if it's teamed up with some high waisted form fitting trouser or mom jeans (my favourite at the moment.) I'd probably, if I may, finish the look off with the Yemzi silk headscarf, by tying it around the base of my low ponytail for a very chic look.
APRIL’S SOCIALS
blog: www.aprilalexander.com (coming soon)
instagram: @aprilalexander
facebook: www.facebook.com/aprilxalexander
youtube: www.youtube.com/discreetmusetv
twitter: @aprilxalexander
& FOR PHOTOGRAPHY…
website: www.aprilalexander.co.uk
instagram: @byaprilalexander
