Today we’d like to introduce you to “Christian Dion” Malone.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I started my journey at a random moment in my life. I was 10 years old, and my mom had just taken down my hair from its braids, so my hair is in this huge afro!
We went to my aunt’s house, where my cousin Joy was playing around with her new camera for her photography business, and she asked me and my mom if she could use me for some test shots. Here I am, hair free as a bird, in my pajamas, pretending like I was on America’s Next Top Model. When she took the first shot, that’s when she knew we started something. Joy and her sister would then take my pictures for their businesses and pageants that I would later do in life.
As I got older, I began my runway modeling journey as a freshman in college, with my first model coach/mentor, Rodney High. He has a spring fashion show, where I saw a new fire come out of me. This is where I started building my confidence and pursuing modeling persistently.
Now I am networking with other models – including a modeling group in Tuscaloosa by the name of Regal Models Tuscaloosa, photographers, creatives, and businesses in cities across Alabama and Georgia – eventually adding more cities in other states – using my voice to share my story to inspire the next person.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It hasn’t always been easy. I didn’t know most of the information I know now. Being a freelance model, I have to learn information on my own and promote myself if I want to be seen. I do receive help from my modeling community, but the sole responsibility is on me.
I also battled with confidence a few years after having my first child. I went from being able to fit in smaller sizes to now being curvier. There were times where some designers didn’t have anything that could fit me properly without the garment looking too tight or too loose.
Sometimes, I felt out of place because I was no longer a size that most of my connections had been used to seeing as part of my brand. I chose to still put on a smile, love my body the way it is, and show other moms and people that curves are okay and beauty isn’t what’s measured on their body, but who they are as a person on the inside. It’s choosing to show up and love on themselves, because God made it that way and what’s within is more important.
I also faced domestic violence and a brief time of homelessness due to my childhood home burning down, all while I was in the midst of pursuing my college degree at The University of Alabama. I was between pregnancy and becoming a new mom when these challenges came, so finding myself all over again during some of my most vulnerable and sacred years was challenging, but I’m thankful I didn’t let that stop me.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a multi-faceted model and content creator that focuses on lifestyle, motherhood, being a wife and vlogging. I’m mostly known for modeling, but I also have skills in dancing, acting, photography, and video editing.
I’m mostly proud of being able to balance my art and my personal life. It’s not an easy thing to do, and requires a lot of compromising and communication.
What sets me apart is my drive and faith. There were times where I shouldn’t have been where I’ve been and done what I have done. I faced abuse, loss of my childhood home while juggling pregnancy and pursuing a degree, the loss of a parent from cancer and during COVID, and so many more challenges, and yet God still saw fit for me to be able to have a testimony to tell. I should’ve let the odds beat me, but I continued to fight for what was/is mine.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
Sometimes risk is good, but all risks are not worth it. It’s about your morals and consciousness, and knowing not everything is worth what you believe in.
I have taken major risks before. I’ve stayed in places that almost cost me everything – my peace, my health, my family, my finances. It may not have been all of those in that order or all at once, but it was not worth the risk.
Weighing the pros and cons of any situation can save you so much more than going along with something that you know will have a negative result in the end.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrissydion?igsh=YjlsN2EyczJjdHc2&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1JEcAu1bzb/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@itschrissydion?_r=1&_t=ZT-986QyXaHkqb
Image Credits
@TEAPhotogrpahy, @ShotbyCJThomas, @Deeziigner, Harris Photography, Memorable Moments Photography
