WALKING INTO HER CALLING: SHENIQUE GRENION’S BIG COMEBACK

At 33 years old, Shenique Grenion carries a presence that stops people mid-sentence. It’s not just beauty. It’s not just confidence. It’s something deeper earned, tested, and refined. The kind of presence forged through survival, faith, and an unshakable decision to live.

Born on the island of Jamaica and raised in the United States after migrating at just six years old, Shenique’s journey has always been layered. She is a woman of intellect and creativity, structure and spirit. Right out of college, she built a career in Insurance and Information Technology, steady, reliable, respectable. But destiny had other plans, ones that would first whisper to her in a dream.

At 26 years old, Shenique had a dream that would change her life. In it, she saw herself walking confidently, boldly, with very short hair and undeniable presence. When she woke up, she couldn’t shake the feeling.

“I woke up wishing I could be HER,” she recalls. “I wanted to walk like that one day and feel the confidence that she felt.”

Not long after, when a designer she knew announced a fashion showcase, Shenique half-joked, half-declared, “I’m coming.” When she arrived and hit the runway, the designer’s reaction said it all: “I didn’t know you could WALK!” Shenique laughed and replied, “I didn’t know either.”

She was the only plus-size model in the show, but she was unforgettable.

That moment cracked something open. Soon after, she auditioned for Full Figured Fashion Week, where she crossed paths with industry leaders Philip Drew and Tawana Blassingame. In desperate need of new headshots and body shots, she showed up with hope and walked away with her very first professional photograph as a model.

She didn’t make the final runway, but she made something greater: the Wall as a finalist. And more importantly, she made an impression that no one in that room forgot.

When she heard, “Now WALK like you WANT the job!” and followed it with her second walk, the room erupted. “YESSSSS!” they yelled. It was an out-of-body experience, one that confirmed she belonged.

Even though she wasn’t selected for the final show, Shenique stayed. She volunteered. She worked behind the scenes. And what she witnessed changed her forever.

“For the first time, I saw plus-size women dressed beautifully, loving themselves, showing the world that they loved themselves,” she says. “I was completely enamored.”

From there, her career took off. Shenique became a runway model for two years, eventually transitioning into print when designers requested photoshoots after seeing her walk. She walked in 11 fashion shows, including eight fashion weeks, both in the U.S. and overseas. She became a house model for Queen Size Magazine and was published seven times across magazines and online platforms.

By 2019, she was signed and working in commercial e-commerce modeling, receiving training and encouragement from runway coaches and bootcamps. In 2020, she received a personal invitation from supermodel Coco Rocha to attend her prestigious model bootcamp, an opportunity many only dream of. But then the world shut down.

And so did Shenique’s….. Behind the scenes, life was unraveling.

In 2019, Shenique learned her mother had breast cancer and needed immediate chemotherapy. She moved in with her, becoming caregiver, daughter, and prayer warrior. She watched her strong, independent mother endure hair loss, skin shedding, and physical weakness, while holding onto faith that her time was not yet up. Her mother survived. And is now in complete remission. But Shenique was changed.

The joy she once felt on the runway faded into numbness. As her mother regained strength, Shenique tried to reclaim her own by dancing, only to discover another gift. Her talent led her to audition for Pretty Big Movement, the first international professional plus-size dance company. She made it, traveling and performing while still modeling. Then came COVID. Isolation. Anxiety. Silence.

Negative thoughts consumed her. Shame, regret, and betrayal replayed relentlessly. She began to believe she was a bad person, regardless of the truth. The thoughts turned dark. Suicidal. One night, she screamed, “HELP!” Her mother ran to her room. Through hysterical tears, Shenique said, “I don’t want to be here anymore.” Her mother climbed into bed, cradled her like a child, and prayed the most powerful prayer Shenique had ever heard. Two friends, on a three-way call, prayed too. That night, the thoughts left. But the battle wasn’t over.

In 2021, Shenique believed she had found forever love. In 2022, she married, celebrating with family, friends, joy, and dancing. But within months, that joy turned to devastation. She moved out of her marital home. By 2024, she was divorced. The heartbreak was crushing, and the suicidal thoughts returned. Depression stayed. The support system she expected disappeared. She withdrew, stopped answering calls, left social media, and exited the industry entirely.

“I didn’t just leave the industry,” she says. “I left myself.”

Health issues followed. She gained 80 pounds. Panic attacks. Pre-diabetes. Hospitalization. A broken ankle requiring six months of physical therapy. At one point, she looked outside like a zombie, watching life continue while she cried behind closed doors. Then one day, through tears, she cried out again, but this time differently:

“I want to live.”

By God’s grace, Shenique accepted an invitation to church she initially didn’t want to attend. From day one, someone prayed for her consistently. They spoke love, truth, and freedom over her life. They prayed about things she never shared, yet God revealed them. For a year and a half, Shenique committed fully to healing, fasting, praying, undergoing deliverance, confronting trauma, and choosing freedom. The night terrors stopped. The shame lifted. The woman in the dream began to return.

One day someone said, “Yes, walk.” Another said, “She has presence… like a Doctor… Dr. Shenique.” When she finally shared her modeling past, the response was immediate: “Being a model isn’t what you do. It’s who you are.”

Then came a final prayer, against fear of the spotlight, against shame, against hiding. That day, Shenique logged back into Instagram. She registered her business. Put her heels back on. Practiced posing. Created content. And made one thing clear: She is a Christian. She is called. And she is here because God said to be here.

Shenique Grenion’s story isn’t just about fashion. It’s about faith. Survival. Identity reclaimed. She is no longer chasing confidence; she carries it. Not borrowed from applause but rooted in purpose. The woman from the dream has arrived. And this time, she’s walking with God.

QSM: You’ve shared that your modeling journey began with a literal dream. Looking back now, how do you interpret that moment, and what do you think that version of yourself was trying to teach you before you even stepped onto a runway?

Shenique: That dream completely shifted my perspective and expanded my sense of who I could become. A new identity was forming, and I wanted to see it manifest in real life. In the dream, I wasn’t concerned with who was around me or where I was; I wasn’t self-conscious or overthinking; I was simply being. That version of myself was teaching me that how you think about yourself and how you feel internally will dictate how your body shows up outwardly, which I later learned as the art of emoting. If simply “being” produced a confident strut, then emotion, attitude, and self-assurance mattered far more than appearance. What’s beautiful is that in the dream, my outer appearance aligned with what I felt inside, and when I began modeling, I started to see that same transformation take place. Confidence became the foundation before I ever stepped on a runway. That lesson mattered deeply because I struggled with confidence my entire life. At ten years old, I was bullied, chased, and called “fat” and “ugly,” and although I defended myself, the damage lingered. I grew up believing those lies, even though they weren’t true. I was also teased for my dark skin, big feet, and Jamaican accent, which led me to compare myself constantly. Runway was never about being beautiful; it was about developing a skill that could help me feel like the woman I saw in my dreams. A pivotal moment came in church when I heard I was “beautifully and wonderfully made,” words I still repeat today. I didn’t yet understand the dream as divine direction, so I followed curiosity, and it changed everything.

QSM: You experienced major validation early on, even when you weren’t selected for final shows. How did learning to be in the room, rather than chasing the spotlight, shape your confidence and your understanding of purpose?

Shenique: Being in the room showed me, in real time, that confidence existed in many forms; men and women of all shapes, sizes, and ages who were bold, assured, and unafraid to take up space. Seeing that with my own eyes helped me understand what was truly possible and reminded me that I belonged there too. The room itself felt safe; there was no need to hide, and the voices of past bullies were absent. Many of us shared similar struggles with self-image, yet we were boldly declaring that those struggles no longer defined us. I approached every opportunity like a child in a candy store, observing, absorbing, and learning from everyone around me. Rather than chasing the spotlight, I adopted the mindset of a student, focusing on building relationships and gaining knowledge. I wanted to master my craft, become a true professional, and ensure that no designer or producer ever regretted choosing me. Over time, I realized that while being in the room gave me temporary confidence, that confidence often faded once I left, but my purpose was still being shaped. When I eventually stepped away from the industry, I questioned whether modeling was truly my purpose, as I was willing to pivot elsewhere. Yet in God’s perfect timing, my path was redirected back, confirming that modeling is part of my purpose and greater than I had imagined.

QSM: You talked about your mom. Let me first say thank God that your mom is ok. I can ONLY imagine how tough that journey was. Clearly your mom’s illness marked a turning point in your life. How did caring for her during such a vulnerable time redefine your ideas of strength, femininity, and faith?

Shenique: Thank you! Witnessing my mom in that condition awakened a prayer warrior in me that I didn’t know existed. I prayed for her in a way I had never prayed for anyone before, not even for myself, and I wouldn’t wish that illness on anyone. Caring for her taught me that while she had every right to feel defeated or victimized, she chose not to accept her circumstances as her permanent reality. She became a living example of faith, believing in what we could not yet see, trusting fully that she would recover, and she did. That journey completely redefined my understanding of femininity. I once believed femininity had to be soft and demure, but watching her resilience showed me that it can also be powerful. She handled everything with grace, returned to work, and embraced her short natural hair as if nothing had happened. She survived an illness that takes the lives of nearly 700,000 women globally each year, and her comeback as both a scientist and real estate developer spoke louder than the hardship she endured. Today, she is healthier and happier than ever, fully aware that she survived something meant to take her out. Her story reminds me that nothing I face in this life has the final say, and that same faith eventually gave me the strength to cry out when I needed help myself.

QSM: You’ve spoken openly about mental health, depression, and suicidal thoughts; topics that many still fear discussing. What would you say to someone who feels like they’ve lost themselves and don’t recognize who they’ve become?

Shenique: As long as mental health struggles remain feared and unspoken, they stay hidden and slowly consume you from the inside out. If you feel lost, the first step is to acknowledge that you are lost and to confront fear, depression, and suicidal thoughts directly, deciding that you no longer agree with them and choosing to ask for help, even if you have to shout for it. When help comes, take it. If you don’t recognize who you’ve become, allow someone who loves you to remind you of who you truly are. Don’t hide your struggles in shame, guilt, or embarrassment; help is on the way. I was reminded that God loves you deeply and desires your freedom even more than you do, and I encourage people to try Jesus, leaning on the promise in Matthew 11:28–30, where He invites the weary to find rest. Be open and honest with God, and if you are in therapy, be honest with your therapist; nothing you say is a surprise, and you are not alone, even when your mind tells you otherwise. Freedom begins by acknowledging that there is a problem, not that you are the problem. After seeking professional help, allow trusted friends, family, and even strangers to pour back into you through prayer, connection, forgiveness, joy, and love, however long the process takes. Be honest and let God do what He does best: heal and deliver.

QSM: Great advice! There was a moment when you realized you didn’t just leave the industry, you left yourself. What did reclaiming your identity look like before the heels, the poses, and the public return?

Shenique: Reclaiming my identity began with surrender, unlearning what I thought I knew and relearning intimacy and identity through God. I had to make a conscious decision to believe everything He said about me, rather than the voices of men, bullies, or spectators who once defined my worth. When I was told that God loved me, I went home genuinely questioning if it was true and whether it was even possible for me to love Him back. That questioning led me into prayer, where I began asking hard, honest questions and allowing space for real connection. Reclaiming myself also meant letting go of self-preservation and mistrust so I could surrender to a community of believers who were placed in my life to re-educate me on what a true walk with Christ looks like and help me find myself again. In that process, I was given the freedom to grieve, cry, and pour out every unresolved emotion without performance or pressure. For over a year and a half, I did this without social media attached, no audience, no validation, just healing. Before the heels, the poses, and the public return, reclaiming my identity was quiet, deeply personal, and rooted in faith, honesty, and restoration.

QSM: Clearly your healing journey was deeply spiritual and intentional. How did surrendering control and committing fully to healing change the way you now show up in fashion, business, and life?

Shenique: My healing journey was bold, courageous, and required deep endurance. I learned how to suffer well while waiting, because healing did not come as quickly as I expected. Instead, it unfolded as a long, drawn-out process that ultimately worked for my good, ensuring I would never return to who I once was or fall back into past afflictions. Through that process, I developed patience and learned the true meaning of commitment, realizing that the One walking me through it, Jesus, was even more committed to my healing than I was. Surrendering control reshaped how I now show up in fashion, business, and life by forcing me to become patient, strong-minded, decisive, and emotionally mature. I now understand that rejection and closed doors are part of the process, and with this foundation, I no longer take them personally. A closed door simply makes room for the right one to open. I show up more boldly and confidently in who I am, from how I carry myself to how I wear clothing and perform. I am willing to take risks, trusting that I will be okay. I also recognize that I am not smart enough to outthink or maneuver every situation on my own, which is why partnering with God through prayer makes the entire journey meaningful, grounded, and worth it.

QSM: Your return feels so bold and unapologetic! As a Christian woman in the fashion space, what does it mean to you to walk in both faith and visibility? Especially in an industry that often demands separation between the two.

Shenique: Walking in both faith and visibility means living with a greater level of exposure and responsibility. What I say must align with how I live, and my actions must reflect my words. It requires vulnerability, accountability, and a deep commitment to authenticity, with a clear personal stance that I am not willing to compromise. Faith and visibility also demand maturity and wisdom, knowing what to say, what not to say, and when silence speaks louder than words. As a professional, I am expected to show up with integrity and excellence in every space I enter. I’ve learned that a calm, confident presence or even joyful laughter can communicate more than words ever could; I was once told that your presence says “hello” before your words do. Walking in both faith and visibility means understanding that how I carry myself matters just as much as what I express. Ultimately, it is about impact and representation. Being seen, not for performance, but as a reflection of consistency, purpose, and truth in spaces that often separate the two.

QSM: For the woman reading this who is afraid to step back into her calling because of shame, fear, or past pain; what do you want her to know about starting again, even when she feels “unready”?

Shenique: To the woman who feels afraid and unready, know that all you truly need is faith the size of a mustard seed and a willing heart to say yes to starting again. Take the first step, fear and feeling afraid are not the same. Fear can be crippling and paralyzing, but feeling afraid is temporary and can be worked through as you move forward in faith. Fear, guilt, shame, and embarrassment cannot remain once you acknowledge them and speak to them; your words carry power. Scripture reminds us in 2 Timothy 1:7 that God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind, so speak to fear directly and refuse to agree with it. Past pain can begin to heal through forgiveness. Starting again may feel scary, but if you truly believe something is your calling, the One who called you will order your steps. Quiet yourself, eliminate distractions, and spend time in His presence. Allow Him to prepare and affirm you before stepping out. As you move, provision will come, doors will open, and divine connections will find you. I experienced this firsthand when I addressed fear and made that first social media post. Ideas, guidance, and clarity followed, leading to the images you see now and this cover story. You won’t have everything figured out, and it won’t be perfect, but trying matters and your faith journey may inspire someone else to begin again too.

QSM: I’m sure I speak for a lot of people when I say welcome back! We’ve missed you on the scene and look forward to working with you again. Please tell people where they can follow you and your journey.

Shenique: You can follow my journey on Instagram at @Shen.Mod and on TikTok at @ShenMod, where I’ll be sharing updates, projects, and moments along the way. There is also a strong possibility that I’ll be launching a YouTube channel soon, so stay tuned for even more behind-the-scenes content and deeper conversations as my journey continues.

Photo credits:

Photographer: Kiacaldwellphoto

Makeup Artist, Stylist, and Creative Director: CorrinnChishimbaCollective

Clothing:

(Black Tie and Flare Wide Pants) Glorybyjes

(The entire Denim {including shoes} and Black suit with pearls were shopped by stylist (Corrinn) at: NovaLuxe aka Fashion Nova Luxe

Hair Stylist: KonsultKandii_Styles

Jewelry: Shopkhoi