Ex-music video model Melyssa Ford: 'I was catfished once'
theGRIO VIDEO - During the late 90s and early 2000s, there was no one quite like Melyssa Ford...
Many former models that have appeared in music videos have parlayed their instant success into a variety of careers.
However, during the late ’90s and early 2000s, there was no one quite like Melyssa Ford.
The Canadian beauty, and current cast-member of Bravo’s Blood, Sweat and Heels, was known for being the premiere eye candy and was featured in classic music videos from Jay Z (“Big Pimpin’,” “Hey Papi”), Jadakiss (“Knock Ya Self Out”), Usher (“Yeah!”) and countless others.
But times have changed.
Ten years ago, big-budget videos were the norm but with the rise of social media, fans are digesting musical content at a faster and cheaper pace. That means less money for the average video girl.
“You got to have an exit strategy when it comes to music videos,” Melyssa Ford told theGrio. “When I was coming up, the budgets were inflated and you’re not going be seeing that anymore.”
Admiration and envy come with the territory when your image can be seen on TV every day. Ford has her fair share of fans, but it can lead to scary situations when the fandom turns obsessive.
“I was catfished once,” Ford recalled about the dark side of social media. “It was someone who created a Facebook page, speaking to people under the premise that I was her, having phone sex under my identity. It got so bad that the secret service was involved.”
Bravo’s “Blood, Sweat & Heels” premieres Sunday, January 5 at 9pm ET/PT
Check out part 1 of our Grio interview with Ford and let us know what you think in the comments below.
You can check out Kyle’s musical coverage on theGrio music page, and follow Kyle on Twitter at @HarveyWins.
