Rising Stars: Meet Antione Williams of Taylor

Today we’d like to introduce you to Antione Williams

Hi Antione, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My journey into modeling began with the support of my mother. As an infant she introduced me to the modeling world, and by the age of 3 months local businesses began using and displaying my photos. Photographers commended my ability to pose and connect with the camera at such a young age. This continued throughout my teenage years and modeling opportunities would come naturally from unexpected places, such as receiving offers to model from my mother’s seamstress and even the photography studio that handled my senior pictures expressed interest in having me as their model.

While pursuing my undergraduate degree at Northern Michigan University, I connected with a professor who was also a photographer. This collaboration led to multiple photoshoots where I continued to learn and build on my modeling qualities while I managed my academic responsibilities as a full-time student. In 2015 I established my first relationship with a modeling agency, primarily on a freelance basis. At that time, while modeling was incredibly important to me, focusing on attaining my Bachelor’s and subsequently my Master’s degree took the front seat.

In September 2024, I launched my own fashion modeling venture. Shortly thereafter, in October 2024, I signed with John Casablancas – Model Talent Management, marking a significant milestone in my modeling career.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
My journey has certainly had its ups and downs, both professionally and personally. There were times when I doubted if I was cut out for modeling, especially as schooling became more demanding. In the modeling world, I often felt lost without a mentor to guide me, particularly before the rise of social media. I faced financial setbacks due to recovering from a car accident in the summer of 2016 that effected my lower back.

Academics had to take precedence, so I dedicated more hours to studying and assignments than most. The increasing cost of education taught me to budget carefully to avoid living paycheck to paycheck. Plus, getting my master’s degree was a big deal for me because, I would be the first in my family to receive a master’s degree. So, I dedicated myself as much as possible to achieve that goal.

On the family front, my biggest supporters have been my mother, younger sister, and grandmother. Although we’ve had our disagreements, we always come back to the understanding that we’re all we have.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a licensed mental health therapist at Lyon Counseling Center, located in the Metro Detroit area. I commit to fostering a therapeutic environment grounded in trust, empathy, and collaboration. I specialize in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Solution-Focused Therapy, which equips me with a diverse set of tools to effectively advocate for and address the unique needs of my clients.

What I’m most proud of is the professional position I’ve worked hard to get myself into, and having the ambition, consistency, and discipline to keep doing my own inner-work every day. There were times in my career when I doubted myself and wasn’t sure if this journey was right for me. Ultimately, during those times of doubt I knew I needed to shift my mindset and take greater responsibility in addressing my own relationship with myself and continue pouring into the person I’ve always wanted to be. I’ve learned that maintaining how I care for myself has set me apart in creating a space to better relate to my clients and establish the mental space to understand what they are going through, so I can in turn extend the advice and tools they need to achieve their breakthroughs.

What matters most to you? Why?
What matters most to me is placing God first, and maintaining that relationship through prayer and meditation. Ultimately this guides me in developing to be the best and most authentic version of myself that I can be. I didn’t have a father figure nor any positive male role models in my life to guide me from childhood. So, I’m taking each day to learn more about myself, acknowledge my mistakes and do the inner work to heal parts of myself that still need healing. I’m very family-oriented, and the relationships I have with my family and close friends are incredibly important to me. Coming from a household of strong women, the bond I have with my mother, sister, grandmother, and three nieces, stays very close to my heart. I strongly value connection that I build with others so I make sure it’s a priority that my circle is filled with peace, love, and harmony.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://michiganmodelsdetroit.com/men
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iam.antione/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567254874454
• Other: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/antione-joseph-williams-south-lyon-mi/1389716