Dominique Franks was born in Cleveland, Ohio on January 24, 1986. At just six years old, she moved with her mother and younger sister to Inglewood, California — a place that would shape her into the woman she is today. Growing up, Dominique kept busy. She played basketball, ran track, danced, sang, worked out, and even dabbled in modeling. But what she really loved was watching movies and memorizing lines from her favorite shows. Deep down, she always knew she wanted to perform.
Pushing Past Fear
Even though she was drawn to modeling early on, Dominique held back. As a kid, she struggled with the idea of being judged for how she looked. That fear stayed with her for years. But at 35, everything changed. She decided to finally go for it — not just for herself, but for her grandfather, who had always believed she could be a model. He passed away in 2021, just as she was starting her journey. Losing him was hard, but she used that loss as motivation.
Breaking Into the Industry
Dominique’s first step into the industry was through boudoir photography. Those early shoots helped her build confidence and step into her own. She kept going and started networking, which eventually led to signing with The Young Agency in Phoenix and Sweetheart Elite Agency in Los Angeles. Today, she’s also signed with Dreamers Management and continuing to grow her presence.
Runway Work and Community Building
Over the last few years, she’s walked in fashion shows like Preview Models and The Model Experience, attended photomeets, and even organized her own so other models could connect and grow. She’s also taking acting classes, submitting for commercials and short films, and staying open to wherever the work takes her.
A Heart for More Than Modeling
What makes Dominique stand out isn’t just her look or her work ethic — it’s her heart. She’s not just building a career, she’s building a platform. She’s working on launching her brand, Chamelenix, and her podcast, The Queens’ Corner. She’s also in the early stages of a nonprofit called S.A.F. (Strong and Fearless), aimed at supporting women who’ve gone through trauma, domestic violence, or abandonment.
Redefining Strength and Beauty
Dominique is the kind of person who brings others with her as she climbs. Whether she’s collaborating with photographers, mentoring new models, or just showing up as her full self, she leads with kindness and purpose.
“Confidence, kindness, consistency, courage, and resilience — that’s what it takes to get one step closer to your dream,” she says.
She’s living proof it’s never too late to believe in yourself. And this is just the beginning.
