Exclusive: Jermaine Dupri’s Daughter Shaniah Makes Her NYFW Debut

NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 09: Shaniah Mauldin attends the Fashion Hong Kong front row during New York Fashion Week: The Shows at Industria Studios on February 9, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Andrew Toth/Getty Images for Fashion Hong Kong )

Shaniah Cymone Talks Fashion, Modeling & Growing Up Hip-Hop

She’s famous for being the scion of Atlanta hip-hop royalty, but Shaniah Cymone is stepping out of her father Jermaine Dupri’s shadow and into the spotlight – literally. The pretty teen made her New York Fashion Week debut on Thursday, modeling designs in the Gregorio Sanchez/Bahmardi show and the Rome & Juliet Couture/David Topaz/Andre Emery show. She also sat made the front row at a few fashion presentations.

“I’m walking in two shows,” Shaniah, 19, told us.”It’s my first time attending New York Fashion Week. “So, I’m super excited!”

We sat down with the “Growing Up Hip-Hop” starlet, model and biochemistry student to talk about her foray into fashion – and what her dad thinks of her new money moves:

BOSSIP: Why did you decide to go into modeling?
Shaniah: “Actually, I used to model when I was younger…And now I’m actually on my way to starting a children’s clothing line, and my dad wants me to get more involved with the fashion industry as a whole, so I could have more ties and connections in the industry. That’s what made me want to start modeling again.”

BOSSIP: What does your father think about your modeling career?
Shaniah: “As far as my modeling career goes, my dad’s not a vocal person, let me put it that way. So, I don’t really know, but I know my dad, he wants me to use every platform that I have to be successful. He’s definitely that type of person, and wants me to utilize my opportunities. So, this is one that arose, and he want’s me to tackle it.”

NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 09: Shaniah Mauldin attends the Just In XX presentation during New York Fashion Week: The Shows at Gallery II at Spring Studios on February 9, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images for New York Fashion Week: The Shows)

BOSSIP: How do you stay in shape?
Shaniah: “I work out during the week, but I love to eat. But I have to monitor what I eat. I work on legs a lot. But since I’m in Miami attending the University of Miami, I walk a lot. It’s really hard to gain weight, plus it’s really hot there. I’m sweating by the time I get to my 8 a.m. (class).”

BOSSIP: What do you think is a big misconception about you?
Shaniah: “I think people on the outside looking in, they think because you’re a celebrity’s child, you have it so easy. But no, I’m actually in school, I’m a biochemistry major. I’m pre-med. I want to be a pediatrician, but I also want to have my clothing line on the side. And I’m not going to my dad, just asking for money. I’m not just going in, asking for resources. I still have to put in the hard work. I’m no just going to have a multi-million dollar line, just like that. It’s going to take work to get into the big retail stores.”

She added: “Don’t just think that we all have it handed to us. Some of us do, but speaking for myself, my father, as well as my mother make sure I put my whole effort into this.”

NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 09: Recording Artist Russian Roulette (center) and Shaniah Mauldin (R) sit front row at the Just In XX presentation during New York Fashion Week: The Shows at Gallery II at Spring Studios on February 9, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images for New York Fashion Week: The Shows)

BOSSIP: What was it like growing up with Jermaine Dupri as your dad?
Shaniah: “Definitely growing up, it had its pros and cons. In school, people would say, ‘Oh, you’re stuck up.’ I never really had a huge amount of girlfriends because of that. But at the same time, as I got older, I got a thicker skin, and realized, you know, that this was my life. I can’t change that. If you think that and don’t want to get to know me, that’s on you. But it’s been great…I obviously know that my life is different from my friends.”

BOSSIP: Are you dating anyone?
Shaniah: I do have a boyfriend. I can say that now – they revealed that! So yes, I do have a boyfriend. He lives in Atlanta, but he will be coming to Florida next year to go to school.”

This interview was edited for space and clarity.