Model profile: Meet Everett Rollison

Everette Rollison never thought he’d be calling himself a model or actor.

He grew up in the Georgia city of Reidsville, which is best known its state prison. A one-stoplight town, Reidsville is also known for its racism, said Everette.

Raised by his grandmother because his mother was a drug addict, Everette found himself placed in the foster care system after his grandmother died.

Everette explained, “After high school, I went to the Navy to serve this glorious country; but only served two years and got an honorable discharge. I then went to college… but it was cut short when I was charged and found guilty of an armed robbery that I honestly didn’t commit. Definitely, a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. I was sentenced to 10 years in prison that I served every day of… After I got released. I was told that it didn’t matter that I was innocent that by me doing the whole 10 years there was nothing I could do. Yet, and still, I tried to keep my head up.”

Everette, a recent winner at Victoria Elizabeth’s Magnifique Showcase, said, “I never thought I’d be modeling. I was visiting a friend in Atlanta one day and he asked if I ever consider modeling. I told him people like me don’t make it. We always get the shit end of the stick. He told me I should do it. I told him to pay for the shot then. That was a year ago since then I’ve been to New York Fashion Week, Pigion Forge (Tenn.), not to mention I got my certificate for completing acting and modeling class.”

Everette said, “I made God a promise and he has opened these doors for me.”