We had the pleasure of talking with the lovely Laila Black, our DarkestGoth Girl from the USA, about things that make her tick, what she loves, and things people don’t know about her! In the year that we’ve been working with us, she never fails to surprise us and hopefully you’ll feel the same way!
Laila Black
Thanks for spending some time with us today, Laila! I’ve really enjoyed getting to know you over the last year and am excited that you’re one of our spokesmodels.
Why don’t you tell our readers a bit about where you grew up and any fun stories from that time of your life?
Born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky! Where do I even begin?!?!?!
My childhood was amazing. I grew up playing fastpitch softball. When I wasn’t doing that, I was either with friends or on the lake. Most of my memories come from softball, because that was one of the most cherished times of my life.
From traveling around to different tournaments to the super intense games, I loved it all. I have so many stories and I really can’t just pick one specific one; [if I were to try] I would end up writing a novel.
Now, I understand you’re a graphic designer at a print house, which I think is awesome. Tell us about how that came about.
I have always been really into media and journalism. I was in communications classes in High School and designed and wrote for my school newspaper along with doing the school news cast. However, this wasn’t a profession I had planned to have as my career; I [actually] went to college and graduated with an Associate’s degree in Criminal Justice.
During college, my Dad ended up buying a business (he has been in printing for over 20 years). At first, he couldn’t pay employees, so he had family working for him; even after graduation, I am still working for my Dad. I love it though, I couldn’t ask for a better job.
You really have a great relationship with your dad for that to work so well. My mother’s the only one of my parents still alive and I think the two of us trying to work in the same business would probably lead to a Reservoir Dog‘s level blood bath.
So now, what led you to be interested in Gothic modeling and writing?
I have a gothic style to my modeling, I love the darker side of things.
Honestly, I just really like to write. I can write about anything, the fact that I get to write about things I am actually interested in with the Gothic scene is a huge plus!
What’s your favorite shoot that you’ve done so far?
It would have to be the Wonderland shoot with Apollo Images. I was the Queen of Hearts. I had never done anything like that before and it was a great experience. I met and worked with some amazing new people and I got to cosplay, [which is] something that I love. We are working on doing a Batman Villain shoot where I will be Harley Quinn. This will come [in late spring]. I am so excited though, I have already started on my outfit and props.
Do you run into any issues with your day job as a graphic designer and your night job as a gothic model?
Actually no. My biggest issue comes in when trying to find a baby sitter. It is very hard to find a baby sitter, especially for the amount of time photographers expect me to shoot. They always seem a little let down when I have to leave 2 hours later, but hey, my child comes first.
I have two small people and an older son, so I understand that completely.
Besides modeling and writing, what are your other hobbies?
Spending time and playing with my son, Logan. Gaming for sure! I like to keep to myself mostly, I have a close set of friends. Normally, we all just hangout and play games or watch movies/YouTube.
Which is your absolute favorite hobby?
Spending time and playing with my son. I think that is pretty self explanatory, but I don’t want to miss anything with him, especially in these first few years of his life. I love watching him learn and seeing him grow.
I can definitely understand that. There’s something about the way they see the world without preconception that changes how we see it, as well.
You mentioned you really enjoy films and, as a fellow cinephile, I’m curious: what’s your favorite movie and why?
This is a really hard question as I have a lot of favorite movies; my fiancé and I have a very extensive Bluray collection. While I love Suckerpunch, I’d have to go with How to Train Your Dragon as my favorite.
How To Train Your Dragon is just an amazing story for any age. The moral of the story is to never judge a book by its cover. Something I think we all struggle with everyday. We all judge and get judged by others, it is human nature, but it is nice to have things to remind you to be a better person.
My sister-in-law showed me that film and I really enjoyed it’s way of showing how our weaknesses can often be our greatest strengths. Suckerpunch kind of explores some of those elements as well, which the director refined even more in Man of Steel. Good choices!
Laila Black 2
So do you have a favorite book?
I am really not much on reading. I will admit that I love the Twilight series. I was a huge fan of the series before movies were ever even thought of. I really dislike that the characters have faces now, because most of them do not match what I had in my head.
I am also a huge fan of the House of Night series. It is a lot like Harry Potter, but with Vampyres (yes, that is how it is spelled in the book).
I hate it when film casting doesn’t match my mental image, as well.
I know you’re a gamer girl, so let’s see if I can make your head explode by asking about your favorite video game?
Ooooh this one is very hard. I have a favorite for just about every genre of gaming. Here are a few: Battlefield 4, GTA, Need for Speed, Heavenly Sword, God of War series, Borderlands 1 and 2, Assassins Creed series, Killzone series, Tomb Raider, DC Universe, Injustice, Mortal Kombat, Tekken, Street Fighter, Sniper Elite, Outlast.
I just love gaming, it is a great outlet for stress, it also helps a lot with strategy and hand-eye coordination. Games can be educational and the next gen graphics are just beautiful!
I know I’ve found Borderlands 2 to be wonderfully educational, myself! (In all truth, it actually does have a brutally accurate commentary style that reminds me a lot of Johnathan Swift and Mark Twain.)
So, now, let’s move to music. What’s your favorite song/album and why?
“Unholy Confessions” by Avenged Sevenfold or “Killing You” by Asking Alexandria. Favorite album is From Death to Destiny by Asking Alexandria. Both of these bands are my all time favorite bands. I love their lyrics.
Music really speaks to me, I can relate to it in every facet of my life. The music these two bands put out give me chills. Seeing them live is an experience in and of itself.
Is there something no one knows about you that you’d like to share with our readers as a “taxi cab” confession?
I am a totally normal girl. I have come to notice that a lot of people treat me like, well…a model. That is totally cool, but I am only a model when I need to be a model. All other times, you can catch me with my hair in a pony tail, wearing a band t shirt and some sweatpants.
It is almost like when people see me, they expect all model all the time, that is just not the case with me.
I am me, love me or hate me, take me or leave me.
And we at DGM definitely love you and will take you!
The lack of apology for being yourself is one of the awesome things I love most in the Gothic community!
Thanks for spending time with us, Laila, and we look forward to your upcoming galleries here at DGM!
To find out more about Laila, you can go to the Official Laila Black Facebook Page and check out her work here at DGM.
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