Nikki Broussard is a different breed. She has a unique take on the modeling industry, one that would resonate with our “fans” here at Beauty & Brains. So, let’s get a few things straight about the Chicago beauty:

- She’s more Donald Trump than Tyra Banks.
- She’s a lot smarter than you would give credit for.
- And if she has her way, she’ll be a lot more well off than your favorite video vixen.

Ms. Broussard – through hard work and dedication – manages to maintain a full course load and routinely makes rounds in hopes of being able to promote herself and her growing ambitions. Doubt if you want, but as this interview with Beauty & Brains showcases; Ms. Nikki Broussard is more Michael Jordan than Michael Finley, has goals that would contradict her “beauty” status and has some advice for the young ladies coming up who also want to be models.

B&B: I usually ask models what got them interested in modeling – but my question for you is somewhat different. What keeps you involved in a profession where some would think that you’re only doing it for some quick exposure?
NB: Well, I like to say that it’s something that I enjoy doing. I don’t have many hobbies and modeling is something that I like to do. People see me on a regular day, then they see my pictures and it seems that I live separate lives. A lot of people didn’t know that I did that. When I’m modeling, I’m a different person. I’m reserved when I’m just me. I’m a businesswoman through and through, but when I’m working and I’m modeling, I turn into something else. But I have a confidence boost when I’m modeling.

B&B: One of your blog posts on MySpace actually breaks down The Game’s “Wouldn’t Get Far” track and you agreed with what he said. Why?
NB: It’s for a number of reasons, but there are a lot of aspiring models. I think there is a difference between aspiring and – some people think that what they’re doing is the same as what Tyra Banks does. They barely make anything. They’re doing it for exposure, which is a fancy word for “free.” These people use these women and make money and I wanted to let these women know that they’re not going to make money. It’s all about making yourself into a brand.

B&B: Most people would say that being an urban model is the only way for beautiful Black women to get a foot into the entertainment business. Do you believe that to be true?
NB: Not necessarily. There are other ways for women to get into the industry. But it depends on what she wants to do. If she has a big butt and wants to be in front of the camera, that’s a way, but if she has a degree in communications, she can get into the business that way. It probably makes it easier, but it’s not as easy as it seems.

B&B: What’s more satisfying for you – an intelligent orgasm or a physical one?
NB: I’m going to be honest and say a physical one because there’s nothing like it. I don’t think that I’ve ever experienced an intelligent orgasm, so I’m going to have to go with what I know.

B&B: So, then… which one would Michael Jordan give you [laughs]…?
NB: I love Michael. He probably wouldn’t get that far, so he’d have to rely on giving me the intelligent one. I love him, but he’s Michael Jordan… who hasn’t he had?!

B&B: How does Driven From Within apply and relate to your life?
NB: Mike has this overpowering desire to succeed. He didn’t care what it was, nothing would stop him and that’s how it has inspired me. He believed in himself even when the high school coach cut him off of the team. People would tell me that I would never make it because I’m not hungry enough and I’m not sleeping with all these people to make it. I work two jobs, I’m a full-time college student and that stuff matters to me as opposed to having a big ass. Mike, he inspires me because of his dedication to being better than he already is.

B&B: I read that the first concert you went to was an Immature joint [laughs]. Seeing as how we’ve all grown up with them – how would you say that you’ve grown as a woman and as a professional?
NB: I’ve grown so much. When I left high school to when I came in college, I was totally lost in the mind. My whole world revolved around my high school relationship. I thought that I was going to be with this guy forever. I had his named tatted on me and I loved him. I didn’t regret getting it, but I did cover it up once I found out that he got someone else pregnant. We were both young, but we were in love with one another. We had deep conversations and he listened to me. I still have yet to find a guy that’ll listen to me. He was sensitive enough to know when something was wrong with me, but was thoughtful enough to do something about it.

B&B: Your true passion and interest is with corporate America. So, would you rather be Donald Trump or Tyra Banks and why?
NB: I would definitely rather be Donald Trump. Not to say that Tyra Banks is not the queen of her empire, but he can do so much more in the realm of business. Her thing is with modeling. I love her show, but it’s always related to makeovers and stuff like that. But I’d rather be like Donald Trump. I want to be a lawyer or hold an MBA. It’s a different way of thinking. People look at you differently, too. Everything you say creates money. Even when I was a little girl, I didn’t play house, I played store. I always had a business. I was always interested in ways to make money.

B&B: On your page it says that you’re single, but it seems as if you have all your ducks in a row. If your modeling career took off to a level that reached Melyssa Ford/Buffie the Body status – would you put your Fortune 500 takeover on hold or would that just increase the motivation?
NB: That’s a difficult question for me. I believe in myself so much to where I can be successful in both. I always ask myself which one that I want to do. I got that in my mind that I can do it but I’d probably stick with the Fortune 500 takeover and live life like that. Not to say that you can’t do that, but I’d rather be doing the Donald Trump thing.