Our early 20s are usually a time to explore, have fun, try new things, and discover ourselves. Most young adults at this age just want to see what’s out there. At least, that’s what I thought until I met Nancy Brittney. She’s different; she’s got it all figured out and is already on her way to success. A mere conversation with her will reveal that she is unlike any other 23-year-old you meet every day. Her vibe and command of the conversation are unmatched.
Nancy is an outgoing, extroverted person – an open book with a lot of charisma, confidence, and creativity. She grew up in a small family – just her mom, dad, and older sister. Unfortunately, her dad passed on a few years ago. Her mom has been a great pillar of strength, and Nancy views her sister as her best friend. Nancy has albinism. The rest of her family is dark-skinned. This is her story.
Growing Up with Albinism
People with albinism tend to be bullied, but I never experienced any type of bullying.
I created a fortress. I was the loudest in the room, so I never gave anyone the chance to bully me.
For my primary education, I went to a private school in Hwange. There were white pupils there, and that made me feel normal.
I did not really feel out of place because I had my three best friends and they were the sweetest. Of course, society looked at me in a way that made me uncomfortable, but I never really noticed it until I was in high school. In primary, everyone was nice, and as a kid, I did not notice any hate or stigma. I just said to myself, “Well, they are dark-skinned, and I’m light-skinned.”
I really tried to be oblivious to it. I told myself that this was not going to phase me. I had the coolest friends, and I had an ‘okay’ life. Due to the positive energy around me, I managed to ignore the negativity that was coming my way. I had the greatest friends who always reminded me that I was pretty and had beautiful eyes and nice hair. I knew I was different, but I did not have room for people who tried to pull me down because of that.
Becoming A Model
Growing up, I was always fascinated with beauty and makeup, and I wanted to be in an industry where fashion and beauty were appreciated. However, I never thought I was good enough for that, so I never tried modeling until I met my husband. He was like, “You are so perfect, you should be in magazines and on TV screens.” I owe it all to him.
He always took pictures of me, which he posted and tagged all the big companies. One day, an agency approached me and expressed interest in working with me. This came as a shock because I felt I did not match the criteria of a top-class model. I am not of the right weight or height. This happened three years ago, and I started by doing small jobs and then commercial modelling.
My big break came when I was approached by one of the biggest retail clothing companies in the country (Edgar’s), saying they wanted to work with me. That is basically how the whole modeling career started.
All this happened in a span of six months. I have also worked with Coca-Cola Zimbabwe, and hopefully, more companies will come.
The following year, I decided to participate in Miss Albinism Zimbabwe. I was skeptical about it because of the standards I mentioned earlier. In fact, I had wanted to pull out at the last minute, but my friends, husband, and family encouraged me, and I ultimately participated. It was amazing. I enjoyed every single moment; however, I will never venture into runaway modelling again. It was simply a statement to raise awareness about albinism.
Albinism and the Beauty Industry
There are many challenges that come with albinism in the beauty industry, especially in Zimbabwe. Of course, people are now aware of the condition, but you still have that difference in terms of treatment. The worst stigma and discrimination I got was when I was with my agency [name withheld], but a lot of people know it.
You get into a situation where other models are invited to gigs and get job opportunities, and other brands are being pushed by the agency, but the same is not happening to you. They intentionally pushed forward darker-skinned models.
I ended up thinking and feeling that I wasn’t good enough. In the end, I parted ways with the agency. People were so nice to me, but it was not healthy for me to be in that environment.
Commercial or Runway?
I have always said commercial modelling is like a blank canvas; you are always free to do whatever you want. So I will choose commercial modelling over runway modelling any day, any time. There is a lot of pressure that comes with runway modelling – pressure to be skinny, tall, and all that. I do not like to be pressured because I end up feeling like I am not good at anything, resulting in me being discouraged and not giving my best shot. Commercial modelling is perfect for anyone and everyone – any shape, height, and weight is welcome, so I will choose it any day.
Leaving School to Pursue Passion
I studied psychology for a couple of years at Midlands State University, but I ended up dropping out because the environment was depressing and toxic…not necessarily because of my skin colour. It was generally just toxic. Life was moving too fast, and I could not cope, so I just decided that it was healthy for me to take a step back and run my own business, take pictures, and do what I love.
My mom, being the African woman she is, did not take it lightly. We did not talk for a while because of the school issue. There are certain jobs that you have to do for you to be called “successful”, like being a doctor, lawyer, engineer, accountant, etc. It was not easy, but when I explained to her in depth, she eventually came around and gave me an ultimatum: if my plans failed, I would go back to school.
I am glad I made the decision because, honestly, my life is great. Running your own business, doing what you love, and just focusing on yourself is really exhilarating.
Self-Discovery
I would like to think that my life was already figured out because I have always known what I wanted to do. When I was 16, I had a dream board and wrote down all the things that I wanted to do. It was all in my head, owning a company, fashion, skincare, and makeup. I was looking at the board a few months ago and was amazed at how clear my vision has always been. It’s just incredible. There is nothing as important as taking charge of your life and knowing what you want to do. What’s also priceless is being surrounded by people who love you. People who support you and tell you that you are doing a good thing. And if you fail, just get up and start again.
I have always known that I wanted to do things with beauty because my whole agenda since high school was redefining beauty.
For people with albinism, things are different. It’s like there are beauty standards that we do not fit into. The ideology of society is that you are either a thin White woman or a thick Black woman, but we are just in the middle. So my whole agenda is to redefine beauty for everyone like me. That is what I think I have been doing in the beauty and fashion industry. I never really thought I would do it full-time or for my whole existence, but I’m glad that is the case.
The Dark Side
Not every day is a bright day; there are dark days as well.
I was diagnosed with clinical depression back in 2018. I went through what was probably my darkest period, and I did not think I would make it this far because my thoughts were dark. My then-boyfriend was very toxic; he treated me badly, made me feel unworthy, and told me that I was not beautiful no matter how hard I tried.
I had to change a lot of things about myself. I started to have horrible eating disorders and didn’t want to see food near me. I started counting calories, but he still broke up with me after all the effort.
When I eventually went to university, I was still in a dark space. What made it worse was that I was surrounded by people doing drugs, smoking, and drinking, so it was not healthy for me there, either. For a moment, I thought I was on the path to recovery. I thought I had found a new relationship, someone to heal me, but his family did not approve of our relationship because I have albinism, and that was like a slap in the face for me.
The days were dark, and I reached my lowest point. I really appreciate the sunshine now because those days were really dark. I did not want anything to do with the outside world. I wanted to be closed up in my own space, but I’m glad I overcame it.
To anyone going through that, you can overcome. You can get over it. This is why we just have to be kind to people because you never know what someone is going through. I’m glad I’m here now, and I’m happy.
Dating and Albinism
My dating life before Nkosi (my husband) was very terrible. I am the type of person who falls in love too deep, too fast. If you show or start professing your feelings, I will start planning our wedding and our kids. I go all in, and I have been a 100% lover. I have been a giver. Unfortunately, I didn’t always get that love back.
I started dating when I was 13, and my first boyfriend was like a best friend to me. Unfortunately, he moved away. We are still close though. The second one was the toxic one I mentioned earlier. He changed my whole life and my whole perspective. My next boyfriend was at university, but it did not work out well because of my skin colour.
Then God was like, “My child, you have been through a lot. You have suffered, so let me bless you with the greatest man on the planet.” I am forever grateful! I am where I am because of the love and support that Nkosi gives me, and I will never take that for granted.
My current relationship is perfect. Nkosi is the nicest man. He is kind and just what I need. He is there for me, and he will be there for me I can assure you. He is the light of my life, and I appreciate him. He complements that every single morning, every single afternoon and every single night. It is just priceless and I cannot trade it for the world. This is the kind of love I wish for other girls. This is the kind of love I want for my kids. This is the kind of love that we read and sing about, it is just incredible.
To My Young Girls
You can do it. You are beautiful, you are capable. You don’t have to settle for anything less than you deserve. Trust me the world will get brighter, it does not remain as dark. You might think it is the end of the world, but it will change, and you will look back and ask yourself, “What was I stressing about?”
You will find good friends and a good partner who is going to make you feel beautiful and make you feel loved.
Phoebie Shamiso Chigonde is a journalist passionate about gender equality, social development programmes and grassroots-based solution seeking initiatives. She has a passion for women and community development. Phoebie is also a radio personality at a regional commercial radio station, a platform that enables her to network with like-minded women, journalists and activists as she continues to document and tell the story of the ordinary woman from the lens of that very ordinary woman.