Fashion model from Rota makes NMI proud in Dubai

From walking down the beautiful shores of Rota, to sashaying on one of the longest fashion runways in Asia, a daughter of the NMI continues to represent her home while building a name for herself in the modeling industry.

With her first big debut during the 2023 Vie Fashion Week in Dubai last August, to getting the attention of not just one but three acclaimed modeling agencies, it’s just the beginning for Rota’s Zahra “Zhee” Frazier as she continues down a career path she never dreamed of.

“Honestly that small girl Zhee back on Rota is so different…I had no expectations to become a model,” said the 30-year-old fashion model in a conversation with Saipan Tribune. “I was thinking I would be discovered at least through singing.”

The model shared that her early years spent on Rota included involvement in several island-wide singing and pageants.

“Because I had done more singing than modeling, I was more serious about singing and it seemed that I had more opportunities for singing.”

Frazier added that along with doing gigs, during her early teen years, she had begun venturing out more on social media, filming her music on TikTok, at that time called Musically, and began filming several short videos of school performances.

As she entered adulthood, Frazier shared that she still believed music would be her ticket to fame.

“I moved to Saipan after high school, graduating from Rota High School in 2013, and on Saipan I joined the band Mango Sessions and we would perform live at Safehouse and the I Love Saipan. I would also sing at the Paseo de Marianas.”

As time passed the singer also took up dance and got involved in several dancing opportunities, one with her best friend at Saipan Studio 29:11, and the other with local Polynesian Dance group, Te’Ivi Maori, where she would regularly perform for tourists and Saipan residents alike.

“I think the performing arts has been really in me the whole time,” she said.

The model shared that aside from the music, she enjoyed watching modeling shows and doing her own photoshoots.

“It just started with me taking photos and striking poses and doing new and different poses. Again, I was never really serious about it as I was just doing it for fun. I had no proper training for it.”

Frazier added that at the time she was attending the Northern Marianas College and studying for a whole different career field.

She graduated with a double major—Associates in Liberal Arts and Associates in Applied Science for Business and Accounting.

It was Frazier’s peers on Rota and Saipan that first saw her modelling potential and suggested she pursue a modeling career.

“People began encouraging me and saying ‘you know you have it in you,’ and I would just say ‘this is me joking around!’” she said

But in 2019, Frazier decided to give it a shot.

As part Filipino, Frazier moved to the Philippines to try her luck there, trying out for castings in the Pinoy Big Brother, Miss Universe Philippines, and many other opportunities, but experiencing one rejection after another. Frazier said that after an unsuccessful year, the COVID-19 pandemic brought everything to a screeching halt as the Philippines underwent strict lockdown. After the Philippines reopened, the model said she felt there weren’t any opportunities for her there.

“I feel like there’s a stigma and a misconception on modeling. A lot of people think it’s just about glamor, makeup, walking on runways, modeling, but no! What they see in shows like Asia’s Next Top Model it’s similar, but it’s definitely more aggressive and competitive than it looks.”

Frazier shared that she took the time spent in the Philippines as a well-needed break, noting that she also learned more about her ethnicity during the sabbatical.

“I’m Asian-Arab, so half-Filipino, half-Sudanese so I just came out to Dubai to try something new and learn more about my Arab side.”

She told Saipan Tribune that not long after she arrived in Dubai, Frazier saw an opportunity and decided to take it.

Last year in August, within several months after arriving in Dubai, Frazier took part in the 2023 Vie Fashion Week. The fashion event, held at the Dubai Trade Center is one of the biggest fashion events in the region, featuring global designers’ talent and creativity.

Her experience on the runway throughout that week was surreal and Frazier felt humbled working alongside many talented individuals.

“I didn’t think my ‘not serious’ self in modeling would bring me all the way out here in Dubai.”

Along with getting in the zone during runways, Frazier shared that she particularly enjoys representing designers. In that show, she was able to represent designers from Africa, Georgia, and Thailand.

“It’s always been a sort of pride in me when I wear the designs, the thought of getting picked and chosen by them and hear them say that they want me to wear their design not necessarily because of my skin color or my height or body type, but more because of my personality. That means this designer really saw you without you really trying.”

And in a field where physical appearance is everything, Frazier shared that having designers like that are rare.

“Aside from your height, your portfolio, or your features they really look at your skin color. Some designers looking for models will solely cast you based on skin color…and most of the time, Western designers look for their people, so a majority blonde, blue eyes, and tall.”

She shared that oftentimes, in her experience, those with darker skin would be left for other designers who are more diverse with their clothing and designs.

“Aside from skin color would be my height. I’m not that tall, I’m 5’5 and a half so 171-170 cm without heels, and a lot of the people here, Western models especially, they’re like really tall like 180 cm and above.”

She shared that the minimum height for most models is 175cm and that stigma and her being of mixed race have been some of her challenges in entering the industry.

“When they say we’re looking for Arab females I don’t look Arab enough and then when they say we’re looking for Southeast Asian models I don’t look Filipino enough. For me, I find that as both an advantage and a disadvantage because I’m a mixed race. I pretty much get a little of both worlds, but at the same time I don’t, because I don’t look Filipino enough or I don’t look Asian enough, I don’t look Arab enough. So those are the challenges that I always get and I get discouraged sometimes, but honestly, those discouragements are just for a second and then it’s gone after that and I need to move on.”

Despite these challenges, Frazier shared that she had to keep moving on and not give up.

“I started out as a freelancing model and then eventually I got discovered by agencies. So currently, I have three agencies who have booked me. The biggest one I have is FP model, one of the biggest modeling agencies in the region. It’s similar or pretty much the same as MGM Talent which is also one of the biggest modeling agencies in the world. The other two are Universal Couture and Bareface.”

She has since worked with big names in Dubai including designer Angelo Estera. “He’s just a little bit under Michael Cinco, so for me that’s a big deal,” said Frazier.

Along with representing her designers, representing her island is as important for Frazier.

“It’s been a year and I feel very humble and proud. I mean coming from a small island like Rota, a lot of people here don’t know Saipan, they don’t know Rota, let alone saying Northern Mariana Islands or Guam…So I would constantly, constantly try to make Saipan, Rota, and the NMI known.”

She shared that whether she is on her way to a photoshoot, or film a commercial, she would wear her mwar mwar, leis, sometimes even bringing along her coconut shell bra from her time on Saipan.

“That’s something very unique out there they would not see that here in Dubai. That’s something I walk around proudly wearing and trying to represent Saipan everywhere I go even in modeling. They call me the little Moana because of that the grass skirt and the flowers. It’s something they really admire and I feel good about that.”

She would also often also make her own mwars to wear.

If there was something she could share with young people in the NMI, it’s not to limit themselves because they come from a small island, but instead to let that fact be their unique advantage.

“If you have some unique skill that’s a good start and to begin to hone that and get proper training because coming from a small island is already special.”

So far, Frazier has been busy and continues to pursue bigger things, most recently last May 13, she obtained her bachelor’s degree in general health studies focused on health sciences for allied health from the Louisiana State University-Alexandria.

As far as modeling, Frazier shared that she’s been getting more opportunities in advertising, endorsement, and commercials.

“My biggest goal this year is to step out of my comfort zone and be more aggressive because I still get nervous. I still get shy. So, this year my goal is to put my face and at least one of the biggest brands.”

She’s also aiming for modeling for Sephora and hopefully getting in the Dubai Fashion Week. Her ultimate goal is Milan Fashion week.

Having been away from the NMI for over five years, she shared that one thing on her bucket list is to visit Rota and if given a chance to do a workshop and teach young folks interested in becoming a professional fashion model.

Frazier said a major reason why she’s in the field she’s in today is because of the people at home who believed in her.

“There are so many people I want to thank but I would like to extend my gratitude to those people who believed in me—my Rota and Saipan family, NMC Proa Music Society, Mango Session family, Safehouse, I Love Saipan, and Te’Ivi Maori family. Those people who are still supporting and cheering me on no matter where I am and whatever I do, my loved ones and best friends who are also now across the world in different countries supporting and cheering me. Most especially to my No. 1 fan and supporter since Day 1, my Mom. She has had the biggest impact on every journey whether it would be for modeling, performing arts, or just life in general.”