VODA present Aliyah De Novo. She is an inspiring model and she is also passionate about her work in healthcare.

Tell us a little about yourself. What key experiences have shaped who you are today?

I’ve been working in healthcare since I was 16. My mom was a nurse her whole life and sometimes took me to work with her, and so I grew up hanging out with residents. She really inspired me to go into healthcare since I learned the importance of empathy seeing a lot of people at their worst. 

What values do you hold most dear in both your personal and professional life? 

Integrity, respect, gratitude, resilience, and innovation.

What are your long-term goals and aspirations in life?

I would be living my dream to have a house in France and a condo in Thailand. I love to travel and completely immerse myself in different cultures. On the modeling side, I also want to make my mark as a plus sized model in the industry.

Who are your biggest inspirations in the modeling industry and why?

Right now my biggest inspiration is Precious Lee. She is bold and sexy, and committed to diversity in the fashion industry.

How do you handle constructive criticism?

I take it with gratitude because a lot of people will let you fall on your face. It’s always about how you take it and how you use it to your advantage. 

Can you discuss the importance of networking in your career?

Networking allows you to meet people from all types of backgrounds. It opens doors for you into potential friends and career opportunities. Which is important to me because I don’t want to be stagnant in life and I’m focused on my growth.

If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would you go and why?

I would go to Japan. It’s always been my favorite place to visit and there’s a couple of cities I haven’t even explored yet! I'm in love with the fashion, the food, and have I mentioned their public transportation?

What’s your stance on the great toilet paper debate: over or under?

OVER. Okay. Y’all that say under…um, who raised you? 

Do you think technology is making us more connected or more isolated?

It depends on your worldview. I didn’t like social media growing up, but now I see it as a tool for keeping in touch. Otherwise you really get forgotten because everyone’s so busy hustling. 

Is it better to be a morning person or a night owl?

I used to be a night owl because I found a lot of peace when everyone’s asleep. But it’s better to be a morning person because you create so much time in your day. I wake up at 6 AM, get all my tasks done, and then I make plans to have fun and enjoy the rest of my day.