UDC: What have been some of your best experiences so far?
MF: I guess one of the best experiences is my visibility growing to a point in which people pay attention and actually having something to say. People learning from my experiences, being inspired by my experiences, and the road that I’ve traveled. I think that that’s the greatest thing that’s happened is to find people that have been inspired by my story, my trials and tribulations, and that have grown from it and learned from it. You know became a better person from the result of it.
UDC: We know that you have worked with a lot of well know music artists. Was there a particular assignment that was your favorite?
MF: I had a lot of fun doing certain videos like "Big Pimpin'" was great, we went to Trinidad during Carnival in 2000. We were treated like royalty out there, it was really nice. Mystikal’s "Shake it Fast", it’s just because he’s such a nice guy and Sisqo's "Thong Song", he was a really nice guy but everybody was a pleasure to work with.
UDC: Do you plan on continuing to do any future music videos or anything of that nature?
MF: I haven’t done a video in almost two years and the next video, if I do another one is going to have to be for a major artist.
UDC: Who would you like to do a video shoot for?
MF: Lenny Kravitz, like really big, huge name, longevous kind of a career. That kind of a thing to where it’s more of an acting role rather than just a music video. You know maybe a rock band, maybe Limp Bizkit.
UDC: After a typical long day photo shoot is there anything that you do to unwind and relax, and just pretty much chill out?
MF: I take a bath and drink a half a bottle of wine, you know light candles, don’t answer my phone, and take off all of my make up, because it usually takes about two days. It’s just me in the bath tub you know get up go to the couch and stay there for the next couple of days.
UDC: We know that you are talented in many other areas aside from modeling. Can you give any insight into any of those endeavors?
MF: If it’s a dream of yours it can’t be short lived, you’ve got to be in it for the long hall. When it comes to honing your own craft, if it’s something that you believe that you’re good at and you’re only going to get better with practice and time then that’s what you stick with, but if you’re in it for just the fame and money then that’s your expectations and you’re going to be disappointed. You’re going to be very disappointed in this business because what you get out is not usually what you thought were going to get out of it. I mean ever cliché that has ever been made up for this business the glitters and the golds etc., it’s very very true. You see the success but the hardships that you have to face are very very difficult so the only thing that I could say is if you’ve got the resilience and the perseverance to go for the long hall then hey my blessing is with you because it’s very difficult but if you have a talent then let the world see it and let it flourish.
UDC: This is really to all of those models out there that are trying to get into the same position that you are in, trying to make it into those music videos, magazines, and start their career into the movies. Is there anything that you could really tell these young ladies out here to try to get noticed or get that extra step above the rest of the girls? Is there any advice that you could tell them?
MF: Well the one thing that I did was, I cultivated my relationships. I wasn’t interested in making friends with the girls even though I was pleasant. I made friends with the directors, the producers, and the lead directors’ agents, so I would be asked back because I was a pleasure to work with. You’ve got to think about a work ethic that you have to have when you go into doing videos or whatever the case is. Especially in the world of videos where it’s such a sexually charged atmosphere 90% of the time, it’s really hard to be seen as anything other than a sex object. You have to force people to see you as something other than just a sex object, you have to force people to respect you, and that’s just the bottom line. I always walked around with my head held high, my shoulders back, and I refused to do things that morally I thought were wrong or it just wasn’t my cup of tea. You can deny to do these things and deny things that you just think are wrong, it may take a little longer for you to reach your goals but I mean at the end of the road you can look at yourself in the mirror and be proud of all of your accomplishments because you did them on your own and not through getting a poor reputation or earning a poor reputation. Have a strong work ethic when you enter into this business and then just have long term goals set for your self. Don’t just think I’ve made it by being a video girl, that’s two year maybe three year career tops. You have to start setting larger goals for yourself and working towards them.
UDC: Undevco appreciates your time and this interview. Everybody be looking out for Melyssa Ford in the future to movies, calendars, television appearances etc. Where can we see you at, you have a website www.MelyssaFordOnline.com. Are there any other areas that you would like to let your fans know about or anybody that views our magazine where they can see more of you at?
MF: Right now I’m on the cover of XXL Eye candy which has been out since December and I’m really going to focus on doing the more women’s magazines and girl magazines like Cosmo and Glamour, just expanding my audience. Then at the same time film and television work is on the horizon. Then MelyssaFordOnline.com, I keep very well in touch with my members, I actually have called several of them and they’ve spoken to me in 5 to 10 minute conversations.
UDC: That’s great and once again we thank you for this interview and yawl make sure you check out more of Melyssa Ford at www.melyssafordonline.com.
Brought to you by Keith Fowler of The World is Yours
& a Special thanks to Dominique of Guff Productions.
