Andromeda Peters was former Miss US 2018. She spoke about her trip to Lagos, inspiring women and the incredible looks she created with Nigerian creatives.
About Andromeda
“Aside from being a model and Miss United States 2018, I am a therapist with a mission to bring mental health resources to the continent with a non-profit called Tis. Foundation based in Nigeria and Washington DC. My father is from Ghana and my mom’s side is mixed: Indigenous American, Nigerian, Filipino, and British.”
Why Lagos, Nigeria?
“Lagos is important because I want to make sure we have mental health resources in the continent. I believe there is a need for mental health care in black culture. I am also pursuing acting in Nollywood so I came to network.”
The dream glam squad
“This time, I was brought in for a campaign shoot with a brand called For Amarelis and Handmade by Julez. We shot at The Landmark Towers."
"Sniper Ajix was the photographer. The creative director and hairstyling were done by Sharon Ojong and Xoso creative studio. Sito Charles was the wardrobe assistant and her face was beat by beauty by Ladino.”
Andromeda takes us through her looks
Andromeda explores some knitted sexiness in her photoshoot.
“For me, this is one of the first shoots that I’ve ever done where I felt I was able to truly capture the woman in charge. Every single look captured a different element of what it means to me to be a woman.”
“One look captures the strength of womanhood. In the other look, there is the warrior side that every woman embodies. The part of a woman that will fight for anything that she believes in or cares about. This is what this particular look was to me.”
“There were some looks that I felt showed the confidence of a woman. A woman who is so sure of herself regardless of what society tells her.”
“This particular look shows the sexiness of a woman. Being able to feel proud to be in her skin. Sexiness can be about a woman loving her body for herself without having to necessarily show it all and without it having to be for someone else. It can be her appreciating her body.”
March is Women’s Month, tell us about the Nigerian women you admire
Ogay Irono
"She is the president of the Tis Foundation. Very powerful, educated and accomplished woman and also works in the Nigerian government. Her foundation has been providing resources to families in need both in Nigeria and the US for about 27 years now."
Sola Sobowale
"Also, actress Sola Sobowale. She acts with every bone in her body and puts her heart and soul into her projects. I am moved every time I see her and look up to her as an actress. Being able to act, and not hold anything back but to truly become immersed in the character. She does it so perfectly every time."
Adenike Oyetunde
"I also admire Adenike Oyetunde. She is an advocate for persons with disabilities. She uses her voice as well as social media platforms to share phenomenal stories of others and is a huge speaker around gratitude and appreciation for life."
Lara Cole
"Lara Cole is the owner of the brand I shot with. She understands beauty. As a model, I get to work with a lot of people but I enjoy working with her and her brand because I believe that her brand meets a woman at every age in her life."
Sharon Ojong
"Creative director and Stylist. She is a creative genius and a true artist and all of that creative art are shown in every single photo of an event that she works with. She’s so passionate about what she does and her creativity and the creative part of me appreciates that. She is someone who I cannot wait to work with again! Every shoot is art!"
Medlin Boss
"Medlin Boss is my stylist for special events when I am in Nigeria. She understands the beauty of a woman and styles a woman’s strengths and inner qualities, not just her outer beauty."
Yemi Alade
"Yemi Alade, I believe she has opened doors for so many other female artists from the continent. She appears to be so courageous in everything she creates. I have a lot of respect as well for her advocacy work and being a UN goodwill ambassador."
Kemi Adetiba
"I respect women in the film Industry. She worked in radio at one point and created fan favourites that people not only enjoy in Nigeria but also here in the US!"
"There are so many others I admire like, Nancy Isime, Ruth Abraham and June Akinnagbe."
What Andromeda thinks of Lagos
"I love Lagos! It’s so lively, beautiful. It’s an amazing city filled with black excellence-so many well-accomplished individuals, so many beautiful cultures, and it has the hustle of New York City with way better food, better music, and it’s always a vibe! The energy, creativity, and artistry of Lagos in particular are things that do not exist anywhere else in the world which are some of the many reasons I am drawn to pursue my acting in Nollywood. There is nothing like it."
"I loved the beach, the Landmark beach. It was beautiful. Obsessed with the food at Farm city and their catfish! I got to visit my friend’s tea shop, Teastoria I love it too!"
"Everyone is always so welcoming of me when I’m there and I’m excited to explore more of Lagos. I feel like there is so much more that I haven’t had a chance to explore yet, on the short trips I have made, but I look forward to seeing so much more as well as other opportunities that Lagos will continue to offer me."