You may recognize this sizzling beauty from I Want to Work for Diddy 2 which aired on November 2nd on VH1. Blake Sunshine, a native of Brockton, MA is undoubtedly the latest star on the rise.
She received her B.A. in Communication at University of Maryland, College Park and has since worked in talent promotion, radio, and event management. Her signature look, a blonde lioness-fro, larger-than-life hoops, and that golden glow reflects her eccentric and captivating personality. Blake turned heads with her wit on the first few episodes of the show where she competed as one of the 11 carefully chosen individuals for the highly desired Personal Assistant position for CEO & Music Producer, Diddy. Blake’s recent elimination from the show was emotional as it was unexpected. Despite the challenges, she remains optimistic and more confident than ever. I got a chance to sit down with this diva in all her fierceness…
SCOOP: You have a very interesting, exotic look. What’s your ethnic background?
BLAKE: I’m Jamaican, European and Indian. But I grew up in Massachusetts.
SCOOP: Wow. That’s a diverse blend of cultures there. You must have had a lot of influences in your life. Was there a major turning point for you when you knew you wanted to be in the entertainment industry?
BLAKE: I always loved attention. But in junior high is when it officially clicked for me. I had a fascination with fashion, music, and film, and when I joined a group called Black Magnificent Women at age 13 I was challenged to make concrete goals and to actually pursue them. And then it happened naturally from there…teachers would always say I had “spunk.”
SCOOP: And obviously they were right if Diddy noticed something special about you too! Where were you when you found out you were chosen to be on the cast of I Want to Work for Diddy 2, and how did you feel?
BLAKE: When I found out, I was actually hung-over from partying the night before—me and a client were having lunch at a cute little Indian restaurant when I got the phone call. I f***ing cried. I was in complete shock. I called my mom first, and of course she cried too. I felt like I accomplished something really great… an opportunity of a lifetime.
SCOOP: I can only imagine. Has working for Bad Boy Entertainment always been a dream of yours?
BLAKE: I knew I wanted to work at a record label. I remember working in NYC fresh out of college as an Assistant to the owner of a major salon and we’d go have drinks around the corner near Bad Boy Entertainment. My heart dropped whenever I passed by.
SCOOP: So on the show, we see you guys sweating and running around NYC like mad men to complete these challenges. What was that like for you?
BLAKE: It was easy because I’ve had a series of positions in my life that required that type of fast-paced work. So I was prepared and knew what to expect. Even if I was thrown a curve ball, I knew what I had signed up for and wanted it bad enough.
SCOOP: Now the show is still going on with a handful of contestants left competing for that #1 spot. It was so sad to see you go. What was going through your mind at that moment when security was called?
BLAKE: Well, you always try to think positive. I knew that regardless of the decision, it was not my time to go. I had mixed emotions and felt hurt...I didn’t think it was fair. But everything happens for a reason, and I realize there are many variations of winning. It’s been a rocky road and to have made it this far…to have met all those great people, I was thankful for the ride.
SCOOP: Do you feel that the experiences you got to have on the show changed you in any way?
BLAKE: I think it reminded me that you’re not guaranteed anything. Although my early departure was unfair and I didn’t really get a chance to prove myself the way I wanted, it was a missed opportunity. And in life you have to be ready for the unexpected, grow from it and bounce right back.
SCOOP: Now for some juicy talk. We all want to know what it was like when the infamous Poprah from Season 1 popped up on the show. It seems like that’s when most of the drama began.
BLAKE: Well, as far as I was concerned, she was going to do her and I was going to do me. It was like we don’t know why she’s there, so I decided to just stay focused and not cross paths until an issue arises. And obviously I wasn’t there long enough to find out.
SCOOP: Fair enough. As part of the Downtown Team on the show, what was your least favorite challenge?
BLAKE: Considering we lost on the 3rd challenge—and I was eliminated—I would have to say that one. We lost because we came up short and two people had to go.
SCOOP: Being on the show has awarded you the opportunity to travel and meet people in the industry. What have been some of your favorite places so far?
BLAKE: Miami! Me and some of the cast members had an appearance there, and it was just such an awesome time…very chill, relaxing atmosphere and of course great weather.
SCOOP: Now that you’re officially “inducted” into Hollywood—people recognize you from the show and are creating a buzz about you on the blogs—what can we expect from you in the near future?
BLAKE: I have a lot of projects in the works and I’m excited for what the future will bring. Prior to being on the show, I was involved with talent management and still work with clients, but I’m definitely developing a new direction with the opportunities I’ve been given. I think that 2009 was an appetizer of what’s to come, and 2010 is my year. Bitches can’t get ready!
SCOOP: Speaking of getting ready, Christmas is near. Any plans for the holiday season?
BLAKE: I always say that friends are the family that you choose, so I’ll be spending it with my “LA family.”
Watch I Want to Work for Diddy 2, Mondays @10pm on VH1
For more info on Blake Sunshine:
www.twitter.com/blueeyedbandit
www.workforpdiddycast.com
www.blakesunshineent.com |
