Nandi Summers: Cover Girl Excluisve Spring 2023 Print Interview

The modeling industry is a tough business to navigate, as you will sometimes need to fight for your position to make it to the top. But what does it mean to "make it"? Perhaps a model is now walking for Versace, Balenciaga, Louis Vuitton, or, in this case, posing for Adidas.

Nandi Sommers is a working model professionally known as Nandi Summers. Born to a very caring and supportive family in Toledo, Ohio, Nandi and her parents relocated to Durban, South Africa, when she was just one year old. The family resided there for ten years. However, when her father was diagnosed with leukemia, Sommers and her family, including a younger brother she describes as “smart and my best friend,” traveled back to the United States for better medical care.

Durban, South Africa, is the third most populous city in the country after Johannesburg and Cape Town. Durban (including adjacent Pinetown) has a larger Indian population than White; the area contains one of the largest concentrations of Indians in South Africa. According to statistics, Durban is administered by the Ethekwini Municipality, with an established population of 3,468,086.

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Today, many high-fashion supermodels hail from various parts of Africa. This comes after a time when the fashion industry was not a favorable space for Black models. Nowadays, the story is different—we see famous African supermodels on runways wearing their natural hair and walking in multiple shows. These supermodels continue to rise to the top, showcasing the rich and diverse African culture to the world. Nandi received her big break when she overcame her fears, walked into a meeting, and left with a contract.

“I started modeling at the age of four, and it’s kind of a funny story… My mother had been scouted at the mall—she is gorgeous. But for me, I was young and unfiltered, therefore envious of her at the time. I told her that I wanted to be a model, and that’s how it all started. I did stop modeling when I moved to the United States, but I started again in 2018 when my eldest cousin—who I am very close with—told me that I should give it a try again and contact some agencies. I did it, and after a few calls, Boss Models asked me to take a meeting, and I was signed the same day.” Once Sommers accepted this wonderful opportunity, it was upward from there.

“One of the biggest and most memorable gigs for me was for Vivienne Westwood. This took place in London and changed my perspective on how I viewed myself as a model. I remember going into the casting and automatically being doubtful that I would get the job since there were so many other beautiful people there,” Nandi said, smiling as she recounted the story. “I did end up getting the job, and I was shocked. The experience taught me that I just needed to push whatever self-doubt I was having aside—realize that I am capable of working with anyone I want to in this industry. Additionally, the team treated me so well, and I am thankful and blessed that I was able to work alongside such a great crew.”

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Sommers is proud of where she is now and the journey it has taken to get here. While some girls know from a very young age that modeling is their passion, others take time to discover it. Since the early seasons of Keeping Up With the Kardashians, we saw a young Kendall Jenner take it upon herself to speak to her mother about her passion for modeling. Although many models may have taken the same course and shown the same ambitions, we’ve seen Jenner’s journey play out for the world. As Nandi grew and her passion for modeling along with it, we couldn’t help but wonder—what would she be doing if not this?

“If I were not modeling, I would either be doing television broadcasting—because I went to school for communications and journalism—or I would be teaching. I teach and coach kids when it comes to modeling and would love to continue doing so in the future because it makes me happy.” But that’s not all—Sommers has a hidden talent. “I must say, a lofty dream of mine is to become a signed singer because singing and songwriting bring me so much happiness.”

Transitioning from one career to the next is not impossible. We’ve seen past supermodels do this—for example, Cara Delevingne, who went from walking in the Victoria’s Secret show in 2012 and 2013 to starring in breakout roles, including Suicide Squad, Paper Towns, Carnival Row, Valerian, and more. The British actress is no stranger to versatility, and neither is Sommers.

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From her portfolio, we see that Nandi can thrive in any environment where she is comfortable. This confidence in change started at a young age. She’s SINGLE asked Nandi about the decision to shave her head once her career began to blossom. “At the age of sixteen, I started losing my hair due to alopecia, and for the longest time, I was afraid to cut my hair because it was the first thing people would compliment me on,” she smiled.

“In 2018, when I reentered the modeling industry, I would wear a lot of hair extensions and wigs to cover any bald spots. Eventually, the maintenance of trying to keep that up just became way too much for me. I then decided it was best to shave my head. Shaving my head has been one of the scariest decisions I have made in my life, but at the same time, it was liberating. Having alopecia was a blessing in disguise for me and my career. My condition before and after the big chop has allowed me to become more versatile when it comes to my hairstyles and work—I can now do both high-fashion modeling and commercial modeling.”

High-fashion modeling is an art form that blends fashion with artistic themes, captured through the lens of a photographer. This artistic expression is evident in Nandi’s Adidas campaign. According to Sommers, it wasn’t too different from her personal style. “I would describe my fashion style as grunge, tomboy, and classy/chic when I need to be.”

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As a model who values adaptability, Sommers has a passion for both runway and posing. However, balancing both can be demanding, and where there is demand, there must be time for rest. On her days off, Nandi shares that she enjoys writing, singing, running/walking, or skateboarding.

But that’s not all—diligently working on your passions and goals can take a toll on your skin if you’re not careful. “My skincare routine consists of using the iS Clinical Cleansing Complex gel face wash, and once or twice per week, using Dr. Dennis Gross Peeling Intense Wipes. My skin is very sensitive, and I always think less is more when it comes to skincare.”

When asked, Nandi describes herself as being reserved, which aligns with her previous statements. As a Taurus sun, Sommers, while “not very knowledgeable when it comes to the topic of astrology,” does believe that she emulates certain traits associated with her sign. “Some traits of Taurus that others say I can relate to are being dependable, enjoying routine/stability, and being hardworking.”

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Similarly, Taurus models such as Jessica Stam, Kimora Lee Simmons, Melania Trump, and Linda Evangelista, to name a few, are well known for their contributions to the modeling industry despite their reserved nature. While it may seem as though a model who is constantly on the go does not have time for the little things, Sommers expresses her love for animals and her relationship.

“I must admit, I am an animal lover at heart. I have a pet pug named May and a pet turtle named Crush. I would have to say my spirit animal would be a turtle because, when it comes to my work ethic, I am determined but always move at a slow and steady pace. But you know what they say—slow and steady wins the race!”

But can that apply to relationships as well? While the model keeps herself busy with work and maintains a healthy balance between work and home, should slow and steady be applied to love? Considering Sommers is in a healthy relationship, we decided to get her take on marriage, love, and cohabitation.

“When it comes to relationships, I am a firm believer that you should always stand by what your heart desires, but be mindful at the same time,” she said bashfully. “I do not feel that marriage is a necessary staple when it comes to confirming love for one another in a relationship. However, I do think that it is always better and safer in the long term to be in an established relationship—dating for five years or more, or engaged—before committing to living with someone and/or having children with them.”

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As someone who wants to be remembered for always being kind, persevering, and inspiring others, it’s no wonder that Sommers holds herself to a high standard when it comes to love. Having been with her current partner for several years, she shared a moment from her past when dating just… well… did not meet her standards. “I went on a date, and the person only talked about themselves the whole time. I felt like I was conducting an interview,” Nandi says.

“I went to college for journalism, so I am great at asking questions, but I also want to feel like you want to get to know me too and are asking questions in return. When it comes to dating tips for both men and women, I just recommend that you treat people the way you would like to be treated and always be yourself."

Building a career and following her dreams while sustaining a relationship cannot be easy for some, but keeping this balance and finding time for yourself and the people who matter most will always be key. As a young woman with high hopes of leaving her mark on the world, Nandi wants to do more than simply grace the pages of a magazine, enjoy her relationship, and work on new music—she “would love to become an advocate for women who are struggling with hair loss.”

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“Now, after gracing the cover of She’s SINGLE Magazine, I hope to continue working with clients and staying booked and busy in my career to one day expand on my goals. I am passionate about bringing awareness to alopecia because twenty-one million women in the U.S. alone deal with this autoimmune disease. I would love to be a role model for another woman who may have alopecia or for women losing their hair due to various reasons, including chemotherapy or even trichotillomania. I want to show others that hair does not define your outer beauty.”

We cannot wait to see more of Nandi Sommers—or, as you may know her, Nandi Summers. She is a treasure. Be sure to follow her on Instagram @nandisummers and be on the lookout for her face in stores, on websites, and for the release of new music alongside the talented Derek Ali.

by The Editors
Photography by Clint Catul