Once you believe in yourself, things will align in your favour – Joseph Water

Life is truly short and what makes it memorable is the footprints we leave on the sands of time. The consciousness of the essence of that true saying inspires the urgency to make every breath count. One who had the understanding of this fact early in life is Babalola Otitoju Joseph, professionally known as Joseph Water.

One of the seemingly easy but difficult step anyone could take is to leave his own country to chase a dream where the grass is green on the other side. Unlike many of his contemporaries at 20, Joseph Water took the decision that would eventually impacted on his life forever. He relocated to the United States of America to chase the ‘American dream’ of becoming an international model, a desire he had always nursed.

The case of Joseph Water was that he knew where he was going and how to get there.

Passion and focus kept the Nigerian model on track in the US while he combined learning in the industry and studying. He dodged all the darts of discouragement life threw at him and temptation to give up his dream through incidences of racism, stereotype, rejection, nationality profiling and sexual assault.

Despite all, Joseph Water was determined to succeed, knowing that there is only one chance to life and some things only happen once.

Perseverance and vision have taken him to the New York Fashion Week, Atlanta Fashion Week Show, and has also graced the covers of glamour magazines such as ‘Krave’ and ‘Slay’.

Speaking on how he overcame the distractions and attempts to erode his confidence by some persons in the industry, Joseph Water said, “I can’t miss out on the importance of believing in oneself. The modelling industry has taught me that you need to believe in yourself before anyone else will. Self-worth and confidence are infectious — once you fiercely believe in yourself, a lot of things will align. It doesn’t matter who likes your style, others will just love you because people love where worth is exuded”.

Today, he has built a rich pedigree for himself in the highly competitive industry in the US. Having suffered racism himself, Joseph Water is now speaking against the scourge.

“I find it utterly disturbing as they refuse to acknowledge their white privilege and how it has been institutionalized. I’ve learned to deal with rejection. Rejection feels awful but it is a basic part of human relationships, and we must adapt to receiving rejection in a healthy way that doesn’t militate our esteem.

“I would definitely reject a contract if the agency rate is too high. I would reject a contract if they appear racist. For instance, a casting call for 200 models and picking 120 white models to 80 non-white models to me feels racist.”

Though far away from home, Joseph Water is set on maintaining modesty and values he was raised with, as he denounced some of the unholy practices some of his colleagues deem as acceptable in the profession.

“I can quit a job if I am told to appear nude or play a sexual role. I’m not cut out for such roles because of my upbringing and faith. Such roles also do not represent what I believe in,” Joseph Water stressed.