Photograph by Brian Rosen

Name: Crystal Porter-Jackson
Occupation: Model
Place of birth and current residence – Kingston, Jamaica

My family is extremely mixed! We have Canadian, Irish and Cuban heritage. People are curious but I don’t like defining myself by race, I am just a Jamaican.

Every day is different for me. I could be working in the day or throughout the night depending mostly on the job or schedule. I don’t have a style philosophy. I just like to dress in a practical outfit on a hot day and super sexy for a night out. At the moment I’m spending quality time with my boyfriend who is in Jamaica for the summer.  Jamaica is the best place to relax and enjoy each other’s company. I love the laid back life but I am always aware that I need to be driven and full of energy if I want to achieve anything.

I’m a fashion and commercial model and I really enjoy every aspect of my job. Compared to New York or London there isn’t a major market in Jamaica for models but you can still get some good work. Before I started taking modelling seriously I had been asked by local agencies but I kept turning them down because I wanted to pursue singing.

Photograph by Luca khouri

I have been singing much longer than I have been modelling but I am pleased I took up modelling because I have so much fun doing it. I don’t limit myself now because all of my experiences are portals where I can express myself and be the natural entertainer that I am. On my most recent job I had to put on a British accent for my role in Shaggy’s ‘Sugercane’ music video. Jamaican people are multi-talented and there are a lot of successful public figures to look up to such as Usain Bolt, Asafa Powell, Yendi Phillips and many more.

I am Complexd because my flaws make me unique. Something that someone dislikes about me could be something that someone else loves about me. That’s why it is important to love yourself because no-one can be perfect.