Rochelle Bailey has accomplished a unique feat, qualifying as a practising medical doctor while making strides as a fashion model.

Though both professions seem diametrically opposed, one depending on long arduous study and discipline, the other on the fortuitous gifts of Mother Nature, and nothing to do with one’s abilities- Rochelle is looking to excel at both.

There are other Jamaicans who readily come to mind who were beauty queens who became doctors more notably Dr Sara Lawrence and Dr Sanneta Myrie.

Rochelle doesn’t see why one cannot be both—it isn’t an ‘either, or’ choice.

Read full interview below:

Our Today (OT): What is your full name?

Rochelle: “Rochelle Allison Bailey”.

OT: What part of Jamaica are you from?

Rochelle: Maxfield Place, Runaway Bay, St Ann.

OT: Why did you move to Guyana? 

I moved to Guyana in 2016 to pursue my studies in medicine.  I first arrived in Guyana on February 28th, 2016 and left on September 17, 2021.

OT: How old are you?

I am 29 years old. I was born on September 2, 1992.

OT: How did you get into modelling?

I first got into modelling a little after I did my very first photoshoot roughly four years ago. It initially started off as a hobby but then I decided to pursue it as a career as I’d often get great feedback from photographers and designers whom I worked with.

OT: Do tell us about life in Guyana… What do you like about the country?

Guyana is pretty similar to my home country Jamaica. During my time spent in Guyana, I got to experience some new types of foods which I hadn’t eaten before namely:  egg ball, black pudding, channa, mango curry, cookup, Guyanese pepper pot, metemgee, dhal, coconut choka, pholourie, seven curry, bake and saltfish, chicken foot souse, just to name a few.

I enjoyed being able to try all these new types of foods. I enjoyed meeting with other creatives in the fashion industry and being able to represent various brands. I enjoyed swimming in the black waters called creeks and being able to use the boat to travel across the west side. I haven’t used such means to travel before. 

OT: What efforts are being made in Guyana to fight the COVID virus? What is the vaccination rate?

In Guyana, the government has implemented measures to ensure that all citizens are vaccinated. No one is allowed into Guyana without being vaccinated.

A vaccination card is also required to enter any public space or any private building that is open to the public.

A vaccination card should also be presented when entering any place of worship. It was also enforced that all drivers within the public transport realm should be vaccinated.  As of September 19, 2021, the vaccination rate in Guyana is as follows : 

Total doses given: 518K
People fully vaccinated: 177K
Percentage fully vaccinated: 22.6 per cent         

OT: What are your thoughts on the modelling industry in Jamaica?

I haven’t done much modelling in Jamaica but I am hoping to branch out and spread my wings in my home country. The difference between Jamaica and Guyana that I have observed however is that Guyana is more inclusive, as such the fashion industry is more diverse and includes a plethora of different body types and heights, which is wonderful as beauty can be represented in different shapes and forms. 

OT: What is the modelling industry like in Guyana? 

The modelling industry in Guyana is phenomenal. It gives individuals a chance to be represented on a wide array of platforms.

I have been featured five times on NCN, a Guyanese local news channel showcasing the likes of Sonial Noel, Richard Young, Carol Fraser, Mark Junor, Kimberly Conway amongst many others.

OT: Do you specialise as a doctor or are you a GP?

I am currently applying for an internship. I hope to specialise in family medicine, psychiatry or obstetrics and gynaecology. 

I believe that there’s no better health than good mental health.  I believe that having a poor mental health status isn’t something that one can just “snap out of”. It’s just as equivalent to any other health problem.

You can’t just snap out of having repeated anxiety attacks, you can’t just snap out of a depressive episode. I enjoy being there for others emotionally, helping them to overcome their battles, letting them know that it’s perfectly okay to not be okay sometimes. 

I also enjoy writing poems concerning mental health.

My latest poem was written in October, entitled “How happy do I look today?”:

___________

___

___

They would rather discuss me from a distance than try to understand,
That truly I am only just human,
Human with a little more sadness, chaos and pain,
So while you experience sunshine, all my days are filled with rain.

___

You see me smile, but in my heart, no joy abides.
How happy do I look today?
I smile, but deep down inside, I ask God why.
I weep, I sulk, I moan, slowly…. I die.
But still, I SMILE.
How happy do I look today?

OT: Which is your first love: modelling, or being a doctor?

I enjoy both medicine and modelling equally but I would say, modelling is a lot less hectic and less strenuous.

OT: How do you balance being a model and a doctor?

Life is about prioritising, so as long as I have completed all tasks related to medicine then all my focus and energy goes into modelling. 

OT: What are some of the challenges you encounter in both fields?

The challenge in medicine is primarily the lengthy hours and dedication, as to be a good doctor requires meticulous reading and studying on a daily basis.

With modelling, it’s usually the case of being taken for granted or being exploited, sexually harassed thus it’s always important to have a good agent and never do shoots alone. 

It’s important to ensure that fashion shows, photoshoots and events are facilitated, organised and conducted by persons of good stature and reputation. 

I have a sincere passion for medicine, it is truly a calling and the joy it gives me to be able to see to it that someone feel healthier and happier is next to none.

It has been a passion of mine from a very tender age.

I gravitate more towards psychiatry. Being someone who has been through depression myself,  it allows me to be empathetic. I like the feeling of helping someone get through a dire situation and getting that person to believe that time will heal.

I decided to model as it allows me to feel confident, brave, strong, beautiful and powerful. In front of the camera, I am fearless and it is my dream to one day become an international model and share my beauty and talent with the world at large.  

Women are incredible beings with the power to create, nurture and transform. I believe that I have the potential to bring about a huge transformation of society and the way that we live.

I can’t think of any better representation of beauty than someone who is unafraid to be herself and that is exactly who I am. FEARLESS!

I am often guided by the saying, ‘power is not given to you, you have to take it’, and with that said, I use every opportunity to take as much power as I can for myself.

I’m brave, bold and beautiful and I wish to continue to make a great impact in the modelling industry. I also hope to become the best medical practitioner there is and to eventually start my own practice in my home parish St Ann.

OT: People generally are of the view that models aren’t ‘well educated’. Do you see yourself as breaking this stereotype? 

It’s always an attractive quality to have a bit of beauty with a bit of smarts.  

As a matter of fact, individuals are often of the view that modelling isn’t a career and it’s not usually highly regarded but I can proudly say that I model with elegance, class and with respect for myself.

Not to mention, I get a favourable sum of money at the end of the day! 

OT: How do people normally react when they find out you’re a model and a doctor?

The usual response is one of awe. They generally ask me questions about how I find the time and ability to balance both. They are usually complimentary.

OT: What’s your vision for your modelling career?

My vision for my modelling career is to eventually hit the international scene and be the face/  ambassador of a product or brand. I also plan on opening my own modelling agency here in Jamaica. 

I have modelled for Sonial Noel, Carol Fraser, Mark Junor, Sas designs, Kimberly Conway, Denise Jennings, Karen Hughes-Brathwaite amongst many others in Guyana. I have graced the runway on multiple occasions.

My other passions include cooking and writing poems. I am in the process of getting ready to publish my very first book with over 50 poems. It will be entitled A Taste of Light and Dark.