‘It Girl’ Naomi scores major global job
Things just keep on getting better for TV presenter and model
K Naomi has sealed a careermaking deal that every showbiz girl in town dreams of.
The 25-year-old starlet has been hand-picked as international make-up giant Maybelline’s first African global “It Girl”.
The Mahikeng-born presenter, like many young girls, grew up watching the brand’s iconic TV commercials featuring supermodels such as Adriana Lima with the slogan “Maybe she is born with it, maybe it’s Maybelline”.
Now with her posh new gig, she is at the acme of that catchy mantra. Ironically, she was born in 1991, the same year that the iconic catch phrase was adopted.
“Being an It Girl means you are representing the brand, but not on a higher level as models Jourdan Dunn and Gigi Hadid. But you are the movers and shakers for the brand,” Naomi explains.
Born Keitumetse Naomi Noinyane, she has a certain je ne sais quoi that only a few stars have and many lack. Maybe she owes some of it to her dark skin glow, exquisite physique, great fashion style and strong social media following.
While from a distance K Naomi has cool-girl verve often seen on magazine covers and TV shows such as Gossip Girl, there is nothing queen bee about her. Up-close the doeeyed beauty with a mesmerising smile possesses a sweetness and friendliness that makes her relatable. Before heading to the 385 square metre, ²² open-air rooftop at Thirteen Venue, in Braamfontein, where Black Coffee and Euphonik are playing, we enjoy a panoramic view of the inner city. K Naomi gets lost in the moment as she recalls how she used her charm to score her dream job.
“They were casting a lot of girls in Joburg. They basically just wanted a host for the webisodes. I went to my casting. I got there and realised that I did not get the script the day before.
“So I asked them to give me 30 minutes with the script, did my thing, killed it and left. But I was worried because everyone else had had the script and time to prepare.
“Next thing we got a call that they wanted to meet me and they came with a proposal that had entirely changed.
So it was still the host of the webisodes, but in addition I was to become an ‘It
Girl’.”
What exactly does her job as host of the web series entail?
“I will be doing a few make-up tutorials and cool stuff for the brand. Showcasing a few products and basically introducing people to the brand,” K Naomi says.
This gig also requires that she travels the globe. She just came back from California, where she went through the ultimate party experience at Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.
“I was so nervous when I got on the plane. I kept saying to my family and friends ‘I’m the only black girl’. But when I got there everyone was so welcoming. I like being challenged,” Naomi says.
“Coachella was an amazing experience. The people, the energy and the vibe, it’s a different world. Tory Lanez was my favourite act. It’s nice to see fresh and new artists.
“I saw other artists also on stage, including DJ Snakes, Lauryn Hill, Drake, Lady Gaga and Future. But I wasn’t there to play, I had to work.”
The former Channel O presenter last year was the host of e.tv’s 12-part reality show Last Fighter Standing, with Hollywood actor Michael Jai White as her co-host. She was recently named as the first African female ambassador for international sports label Reebok.
“I feel like I’ve had a good start to the year and I’m convinced that I’m going to have a great year.
“There is no going downhill from here,” K Naomi says.