Clanese Monae Through the Fire

Three years ago, Clanese Monae turned tragedy to triumph. After her boyfriend was shot and killed at a barbeque, the 24-year-old turned to modeling, which granted a wish her late lover had always had for her and gave Clanese a way to channel her emotions. Now the San Diego native is giving all of herself to modeling, with dreams of building a Tyra Banks-like empire. XXL got with the voluptuous beauty to discuss her emotional connection to modeling, her ultimate goal and how she deals with crazy customers at her day job. — Calvin Stovall (@CalvinStovall)

XXLmag.com: How did you get into modeling?

Clanese Monae: The whole reason I got into it was because my ex-boyfriend was killed. My boyfriend at that time, he was killed in September of 09. And when we were together he used to always tell me that I should try and do modeling. He always really wanted me to model. I never wanted to do it, and then when he passed away since he talked so much during our relationship I was like, “Maybe I should try it out.” So I tried it out and I really liked it. He’s been gone almost three years in September, so I have been a model since ever since he passed away.