Can you tell us something about yourself?
My name is Ashten Barnes and I am 19 years old and biracial with African and European descent. I grew up in Columbia City/Fort Wayne IN in a middle class family. I grew up with my two younger sisters Sadie and Samantha Zumbrun along with my mom Robin Zumbrun and my step dad Zack Zumbrun.
Also did I use to visit my dad Rodney Barnes throughout the weekends and split holidays between my families. My family has always supported me in whatever I choose to do with my life. I know that they will always have my back no matter what.
Middle school and high school was the time I played football as a Wide Receiver. After that I went to college to play for Marian University in Indianapolis. I was studying sports performance to later possibly become a personal trainer. After my first year I realized that college football just wasn’t for me. I started to become more and more interested in modeling and the fashion industry.
So, after a year of playing football with the Marian Knights I decided to quit the team.. I decided to pursue modeling 100% while working on the side with an international travel company called Wotabu earning a residual income. I was also helping improve people’s lives through the commodity of travel.
What are you passionate about?
I am very passionate about helping to spread motivation to others that are less fortunate than myself because I know what it feels like to have hit rock bottom and I want to help people become the best that they can be.
That is the primary reason I wanted to go to school for personal training and later joined Wotabu because I felt an urge to help people better themselves and improve their lives all together.
What is your profession?
I currently work as a server at PF Changs in downtown Indianapolis, while also modeling and working for an international travel company called Wotabu.
How long have you been modeling?
I was modeling just for fun with a couple of friends back in my hometown for roughly a year or so. After graduating high school in ’16, and moving to Indianapolis for college and football I started to become more and more serious about becoming a professional model.
When I realized that what I really wanted to do was travel and become a professional model I quit football. So far, I have had the opportunity to work with a variety of different photographers and clothing brands to build my portfolio. I now have aspirations to move to LA or New York to continue my modeling career after college.
Who is your favorite model at the moment and why?
My favorite model at the time is Brian Whittaker because he kind of reminds me of myself as another mixed model and having the same style of clothing as I do.
When I am on Instagram i will always look at the photos that he posts and I usually base what I post on what he is doing or posting. It is somewhat funny that I look at him for motivation because he is a younger model than myself.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
In 5 years I see myself out in LA becoming an iconic model, and traveling the world while also creating new connections with people and helping others become more successful with their own lives and endeavors.
Do you have other hobbies or crazy habits?
A few of my hobbies include weight training, and snowboarding.
Who is your celebrity crush?
Nykee Heaton or Nicki Minaj.
What does melanin mean to you?
The technical term is just skin pigment, but to me it means diversity, being different, strong, confident, beautiful and, amazing. As a melanin person, I feel as if I am my own person and I am confident and happy with being different. All in all I feel that melanin represents strength and power. Being a melanin person makes me feel proud of my ancestor’s strength and adversity towards injustice. It motivates me to do the same and motivate and lead others into positivity.
What tips do you have for models that are just starting out?
Don’t take no for an answer and have thick skin to those that do tell you no. Work on your image, connect with people that will benefit you and always give back in some form of your success. Also make smart moves because this is a business, but it is all about looks so be very careful of some people’s wrong doings and their intentions. From a personal experience I can tell you don’t let your ego get the best of you. Do not forget about the people that are closest to you if you do become popular or famous. Do not let social media outlets for modeling control your life. Even me being a 5’11 model push past the standards and expectations and create a strong, positive brand for yourself.
Do you think a melanin wonder platform is necessary?
I believe it is a very needed platform because even me, having a light skin complexion I was made fun of a lot. I think by having this platform it will strengthen youth to having more confidence and take on bullies’ comments as motivation to become a better person as I have done myself.
What would be your one super power?
Teleport or travel through time.
What would be a good theme song for your life?
Lonely by speaker knockers.
Do you believe in love at first sight?
Not necessarily love but definitely affection.
Do you think there is enough diversity in the fashion world?
Not at all, I feel like the fashion industry is very whitewashed and the melanin population is very underrepresented. The people of color have different beautiful looks that we all can bring to the table.
What melanin wonder do you look up to in the modeling world?
It would have to be Brian Whitaker again or Kanye West (I guess you could consider him a model or public figure as well). I also look up to Jeremy Meeks as he came from a negative background and has continued to stay positive. He really reconstruct his life to better himself.
“I am a very hard working and dedicated individual that perseveres through hardships. I feel that it is important to test new things to find new abilities about myself.”
