CHANEL IMAN

I'm thinking of slowing down on modeling and branching out to other things. I want to pursue some new and old dreams and start making them happen.

I am comfortable with my body and embrace who I am. I love to work it.

We always had 'Vogue' in our house. But, when I was around 12, my Mom finally took me seriously about modeling and put a stack of magazines in front of me, then told me to study all the poses. The ones I loved the most were in 'Vogue.'

I drink a lot of protein shakes and do a lot of weight lifting.

At the end of the day, I feel like I have no one to blame but myself if I'm not satisfied with how I look on the runway.

The first time my friends saw me in a magazine I was so excited.

I don't like to fly. What's it called when the plane shakes? Turbulence, takeoffs... I grab my chair, close my eyes, count to 30, breathe, and pray.

I'm just really tiny. People hate me, because I just sit. I'm eating, I'm eating, I'm eating and then I just... sit. And I don't gain a thing.

A good night's sleep is always the best way to wake up and go to work.

I don't get facials. The last time I got a facial was when I first started modeling when I was 15 or 16. It made my face completely break out.

Mostly I'm proud to be an African-American woman, but I'm glad I have a universal look as well.

I'm really into natural and organic products.

Music is everything to me. I wake up and go to bed with it. I listen to all genres, depending on my mood.

Accept yourself, love yourself.

I'm really focused when I'm working out, so I don't really listen to music. I like to listen to music after, because it's like, 'Yeah! I finished! Let's party!'

No babies for me until I'm in my 30s! I'm focused on my career right now. I can't even take care of my dog.

I don't want to be known as the black model. I want to be recognized as Chanel Iman, a personality.

My goal is to be a household name, and when I do that, I want to help other girls become models, and maybe even launch a fashion line with my mom, like Beyonce did with her mother. My mom has such a good eye, and it's always been a dream of hers.

When I was a little girl, I lived for modeling and fashion - I used to love, love, love modeling.

Honestly, I try to forget Fashion Week once it's over. I just want to go home and rest and just forget I even did it. It could drive you crazy! It's just show after show after show, and you're missing your family and they feel really far away. You don't go to sleep. You work for a month.

I'm my own person, and I want people to know me for who I am.

You learn to be comfortable in your own skin, and your body changes throughout life, so you can't sweat the small stuff.

I have had the privilege of working with the best in the business, from photographers to designers to magazines. There's not much more to ask for but I'm still looking forward to one day working with photographers Mert and Marcus, Tim Walker and Nick Knight.

My taste in music originates from my culture and heritage, and from traveling the world and listening to all kinds of fun sounds and bits.

I always take my time when picking out outfits at home, but I will say I can change pretty quick when I'm in a hurry.