Eseni Ellington is the epitome of a super women. A natural born leader who has dedicated her life to doing good deeds and setting an example for the youth.
By: Nosey Nay
Born of Guatemalan and Brazilian parents, the Bronx, NY native set out at an early age to work hard and achieve her goals. Eseni began modeling and acting in her early adulthood. At the age of 18, she competed for the Miss New York USA crown and that was the start of her journey to stardom. In 2014, she was casted for docu-series “The Sisterhood: Becoming Nuns” that followed 5 young women in their 20s as they decided whether they should give their lives to GOD and become Catholic Nuns. After six weeks of discernment and returning home to her family, Ellington didn’t become a nun but she still exudes the presence of an angel. In 2017, Eseni was on the show “First Family Of Hip Hop” which shed light on her relationship with musical artist Darnell Roy. Eseni is a beauty queen, and not in the “mean girl” way. She has competed in the Miss New York USA pageant 3 times [with 2019 being her most recent] and strives to set a great example for all the girls who look up to her. Ellington sets the bar on what a true pageant queen should be. As an active mentor for the Power of You Teens organization, Eseni lead and uplift young girls of color to love, cherish, and authentically be themselves.
N.N: How was your experience on “The Sisterhood: Becoming A Nun”?
E.E: Well, I grew up in a very religious catholic home so it wasn’t my first experience. My mother and I attended church and were already friends with nuns. They would visit us after church to talk and have lunch. They were very sweet. I was offered to become a nun at the age of 17, I was curious at the time so I actually visit the convent and ultimately I wasn’t ready. Being that young, I don’t believe I was ready to become a nun. Some time after, a casting director reached out to me and asked if I would be interested in doing a docu-series about becoming a nun. I was like “Okay, so is this a sign I’m suppose to be a nun?” (laughs). I know that there’s a lot of controversy around television and religion so I didn’t want create any contention around my name. Well I signed on, and once filming started it was nothing like I has assumed, this was the real deal. The stereotypes around being a nun is that they’re mean and dull but my experience was the direct opposite. From the moment our journey began, I started to change. I became a totally new person for the better. I meet some of the sweetest women ever and I still have a relationship with them today.
N.N: You’re one of the faces for Sensationnel (one of the biggest commercial hair companies in the nation), how did you get into hair modeling?
E.E: I reached out and submitted myself and it just happened. No one will believe in you more than you believe in yourself. I took a chance. I would wake up early, go to castings, submit myself. I did a lot of the footwork myself. There were so many times I was told no but I didn’t let it discourage me. I knew that if I countined , I would eventually get a yes. And thats exactly what happened with Sensationnel.
N.N: When filming for “First Family Of Hip Hop”, how was the experience of cameras constantly being in your personal life?
E.E: I must say that sometimes I would forget that the cameras were even there. I get this question a lot (laughs). When the focus is solely on you and that other person, the cameras become invisible. You know, thinking back if I could change certain things I definitely would. I would have been more lenient about my personal life because it does effect relationships. Darnell was always in the public eye so I think he was kind of used to. I got a taste of it in 2014 but you have to be built for this industry. When you’re in the business, cameras constantly in your face is a part of your life.
N.N: What can we expect next from you? I know you’re always booked and busy.
E.E: I am currently working on starting a podcast on reviewing every branding woman and helping women who are survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence/abuse. I want to speak out against sexual assault because I am a survivor myself. Being in this industry, it happens quite often. At the time when it happened, I didn’t know how to speak out and say something because of the stigma that surrounds being in this industry and reporting that you have been sexual violated. That situation made me not want to compete anymore but I am so thankful for my mother because she has been my rock. She pulled me out that hole and uplifted me, I found my strength to continue; to keep going. I believe that we as women can embrace what has happened to us and share our story unapologetically.
Eseni continues to empower others and be the role model that the youth adores. Keep up with Eseni Ellington and click here to see what she has up next.