Max’s Talent Spotlight of the day is Abigail R., an undergraduate student of Neuroscience and Health Policy at the University of Toronto. She is also a volleyball player on the University team.
Although she has been modeling for years, Abigail chose to join MAX in 2021 because of all of the great experiences that she’s heard of, and hopes to enjoy the same level of positive social networks and opportunities.
Tell me about you and your background
Surprisingly, according to my birth certificate, I am 20yrs old (I still feel 18 because of COVID-19 which I’m sure many people can relate to). I am afro-Caribbean and mostly of Maroon-Jamaican descent. I come from a large family and am the second eldest of five siblings!
Regarding school, I am in my 3rd year of undergraduate studying Neuroscience and Health Policy at the University of Toronto. My ultimate goal is attending medical school, however, having a strong interest in research, I am considering pursuing a master’s degree first in neuro-engineering abroad in China.
Workwise, I am fortunate enough to have a career job as a research project coordinator with Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia. Its my first “adult job” and it’s been great so far! The real world doesn’t seem that bad.
Generally, I am passionate about health inequities that intersect race, class, and education in addition to Neuroscience (neurorehabilitation / neurodegenerative interventions and technology/ engineering therapies). I first got involved in community research in 11th grade in a project that explored how the public education system failed Black and Indigenous students at the University of Toronto. In retrospect, after that project, the world around me began to make sense as a black person interested in health.
Adding on, this year, I had the pleasure to start a micro-scholarship fund for Black students interested in STEM from low-income backgrounds funded by the Canadian government with a team of peers. As a first-generation student, I can relate to many hardships out of my control and wanted to validate others’ experiences.
In my case, being a pre-medical student started in high school. In addition to my hobbies, work, and community service it certainly has many challenges. However, it has allowed me to become extremely disciplined and focused on my personal and career goals. As a young person, I find that priceless. I would say it is one of those things that becomes more than the work you do and starts to become a way of thinking.
How did you get into modeling/acting?
As a child, my parents found that I was really shy. To break that habit, they put me and my siblings in modeling and other curricular activities. It was a great experience going to shoots and collaborating with people at such a young age. Although I felt firsthand the hardships of this industry, it’s been amazing to witness the positive changes. I can say that modeling is definitely one of the reasons why I am so confident in myself now and love networking!
My dad also has experience working as a model and actor – he says it’s great!
How has your experience been with Max?
Max has been great so far! It’s been such a pleasure to work with everyone; I can’t wait to get more bookings. It would be amazing to also get scholarly photoshoots too! I’m not too sure If those exist – but still hopeful.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I love doing anything that involves thrill! Skydiving, snowboarding, surfing, etc. bonus points if there is a nice view. Other than that, my normal day-to-day hobbies includes art viewing (especially historical-cultural art, and modern art), listening to music (any genre except country), and hanging out with my friends. I also am a gym rat and can leg press 400lbs!
What is your dream role?
My dream role in modeling would be to see myself on a major billboard working with a respected company! Gaining the opportunity to travel as part of a modeling gig would also be amazing! I think I am versatile in terms of my hobbies and work- and would regularly be a part of shoots that reflect that.
Best advice that you have received about getting into the industry?
Personality is everything! You can be the best at what you do, but if you aren’t great to work with no one will want to work with you. It seems pretty intuitive but being a genuine and kind person really gets you halfway to the casting.
Anything else that you find interesting that you would like to share?
Fun fact: I got the chance to meet both of my great grandmothers in Jamaica – they were pretty cool – both of them lived past 102 years old!
Follow Abigails Instagram page @abfab.x
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