When people think of Canada, the first thing that usually comes to mind is the fact all Canadians accentuate their O’s. As funny as that may sound, an unfamiliar accent isn’t the only thing our neighbors to North have to offer. One of its former citizens has relocated to the states, and with her looks, she hasn’t had any trouble re-adjusting to her new atmosphere.
 
18-year-old Kaaydah Marie now calls Chicago home, while attending school to obtain her degree in Merchandising Management. The former track star may not leap over hurdles anymore, but she hasn’t slowed down in the beauty department.

The product of Jamaican parents has her sights set on becoming a well-recognized face in the fashion industry, and in the same token letting the rest of the world know that Canada is more than just hockey, funny pronunciations, and cold weather. 

SixShot.com: Where are you originally from?
 
Kaaydah: I was born in Ontario, Canada, but my parents are from Jamaica.
 
SixShot.com: What made you get into modeling?
 
Kaaydah: Well at the beginning of the year, I started doing trade shows, and then I did my first video with Chris Adams, he directed the 'Kick, Push' video for Lupe Fiasco. After that, he pulled me aside and asked if I modeled, and I said no; that I wasn’t into it, an d I ever really thought I could do it. Then he told me to think about it, so he kind of pushed me to try it.
 
SixShot.com: You also received a track scholarship at De Paul University. What race was your specialty?
 
Kaaydah: I did the 100 Meter Hurdles…
 
SixShot.com: Hurdles?!
 
Kaaydah: Yeah… [Laughs]
 
SixShot.com: What was your major while you were there?
 
Kaaydah: I was a Public Relations Major…
 
SixShot.com: Do you still run when you can?
 
Kaaydah: NO! Not at all… I don’t even workout… [Laughing]
 
SixShot.com: [Laughs] So now you’re attending IADT-Chicago Fashion School, how’s that like for you? What exactly are you majoring in?
 
Kaaydah: Now I’m a Merchandising Management Major, so we do things like styling, visual merchandising, and all of that type of stuff.
 
SixShot.com: Do you ever get burned out between modeling and school?
 
Kaaydah: I Go-Go dance, so I think because I have to work at the club late at night until like 2am when my shift is over; that’s worse than any modeling that I’ve done. So I think the dancing is worse than the modeling… [Laughs]
 
SixShot.com: [Laughs] How did you get into Go-Go Dancing?
 
Kaaydah: I worked for a commercial modeling company, and one of the other models was signed to a dance company. So she had the job, and they were short one dancer, and she asked me if I knew how to dance, and I was like, “Um.. I think so.” So she told me to come out, because they needed another dancer, after I did it, she said that I was good and that I should audition. So that’s how I got into it.
 
SixShot.com: Being from Canada originally, is the sense of style relatively the same there as it is in the states?
 
Kaaydah: Because of where I’m from, no. All the girls pretty much look like skateboarders… [Laughs] They all wear the skateboarder shoes, but in Toronto, it’s more like New York. Over there, you get a lot more of a variety when it comes to styles. But where I’m from, not at all. When I go back to visit, everyone looks at me like I’m crazy because they get everything so late. The fashion is so far behind, and the girls dress like skateboarders… [Laughing]
 
SixShot.com: So they’re relying on you for the latest trends huh? [Laughs]
 
Kaaydah: Well my family is mostly boys; I don’t have any girlfriends there because I haven’t lived there since I was eight. But my cousins will ask me about the newest music and stuff like that.
 
SixShot.com: What do you like to do away from modeling and studying?
 
Kaaydah: I shop a lot, and I’m really into hair and makeup. I want to go to beauty school after I’m done. I do all of my friend’s hair and makeup… [Laughs] I’m pretty random… [Laughs]
 
SixShot.com: [Laughs] Are you single or taken?
 
Kaaydah: I’m single right now, unfortunately.
 
SixShot.com: Is it because you’re in school, or because you just want to be free?
 
Kaaydah: Um, a little bit of both… It all depends on if he [the guy] would be negative or positive as to what I’m doing. Guys can get really jealous when they think of you being half-naked on a photo shoot. If it happens, it happens. I’m not necessarily looking, but you never know. 
 
SixShot.com: Speaking of being half-naked, how do your parents feel about that?
 
Kaaydah: My mom models, so she can’t say anything… [Laughing] I think I’ve done pretty good with all the shoots I’ve done so far, and seeing how I’m being portrayed. For me, I don’t really think that I’ve done anything too provocative, and my mom doesn’t think I’ve done anything bad yet.

When I’m older, maybe I’ll show more skin, but for now I’m trying to keep it okay for an 18-year-old girl. I’m not trying to do anything too crazy, and my family has seen all of the pictures that I’ve done. I tell them everything I do, so they’re not surprised.
 
SixShot.com: Is there any particular avenue of modeling that you really want to explore?
 
Kaaydah: Because I dance, I want to look into being a video model, but with more actual dancing and not just booty popping. When you see a lot of videos, you just see the girl turned around shaking her butt, but I think if you actually know how to dance instead of just shaking your butt, that will bring a lot more opportunities your way. So I would like to do a video where I could also act and show a different side to me, because that brings more exposure to yourself.
 
SixShot.com: What kind of guys are you interested in?
 
Kaaydah: Maturity is a plus, I don’t really go for looks, I’ve dated all types of guys so that’s not a big deal for me. He has to be sensitive and nice. If he’s a nice guy, and we’re attracted to each other, then that’s all I want.
 
SixShot.com: What’s your biggest turn on in a man?
 
Kaaydah: A nice smile, and I really like fades… [Laughing] Like when the fade is really lined up, I like that.
 
SixShot.com: Your biggest turn off?
 
Kaaydah: One thing I really hate is when guys talk bad about other people when you’re with them. Like if you’re on a date, and the guy sees somebody else, and starts talking crap about them. That is thee biggest turn off. It’s funny to make a joke, but if it’s like really mean, I don’t like it. What would you say about me if I weren’t there?

For more pics of Kaaydah Marie, Check out Sixshot's Photo Gallery or visit  http://www.myspace.com/kaaydahmarie