Glenna Baker, mother of 13-year-old Pulse Caribbean Fashion model, Shermonique Ivey. - Norman Grindley/Acting Photography Editor

When Shermonique Ivey emerged winner of the Jamaica Fashion Model in the Pulse Model Search competition on September 7, she set off a firestorm of criticism because, at age 13 and still in high school, she was considered by many to be far too young. Some see Shermonique as being used as a sex symbol at whom many men, perhaps with ill-intention, will be gawking with sinister intentions every time she takes the stage.

But what of her parents? Flair sought answers from Glenna Baker, mother of the young model.

Baker, a cosmetologist, said in an interview that she had no objection to her daughter's participation in the summer modelling event. In fact, both she and Shermonique's father are in sync with the idea. "Her father, Shermon Ivey, who lives overseas, was here for the summer and because she had always loved modelling and wanted to do it, he gave her his permission," she said in response to our question of why her daughter entered the contest.

A love for modelling

So off the young lass went, accompanied by her mother, to all the rehearsals. She said further that Shermonique is her only child and she would not allow her to go to the modelling assignments alone. . So what about schoolwork?

The young model is presently attending high school and is in third form. She will be 14 come November and Pulse has agreed that she should complete her CXC examinations before she officially starts to model.

"She is very focused on her school work and very bright. So far, this term, she has scored in the '80s and '90s on two tests," her mother said with pride. Shermonique wants to be a surgeon and is also an avid reader who spends most of her time with her books.

But Baker also revealed that modelling was something her daughter dreamed of since a very young age. "She is always pretending that she has won a contest and my phone is filled with mini recordings of her interviewing herself in make-believe scenes after winning a supermodel contest," the mother, who was also a Pulse model many years ago, said. Baker said she modelled for five years and although she did not go very far, she enjoyed it.

Christian

Another facet to the young sensation's personality is that she is a born-again Christian who was recently baptised. As Baker tells it, Shermonique told her about a dream in which she saw the words 'Jesus is coming soon', and since she was already deeply involved in her church, she decided to be baptised.

"My daughter is a good girl who is not into boys or running around wild; I monitor her closely and she is not even allowed to visit relatives without me," Baker said. She said Shermonique's father is happy with her win and so are other members of their family. She does not see what all the fuss is about and her daughter has settled back down to doing her schoolwork. "Regardless of what others may say, I consider myself a good mother and I would not allow any harm to come to my child."

Meanwhile, Pulse spokesperson, Romae Gordon, said Shermonique is not the first 13-year-old model to come from their agency and, like her predecessors, she would not be allowed to start working until she leaves high school. The agency is very proud of their new find who is poised, elegant, natural and has a face that the camera loves.

barbara.ellington@gleanerjm.com