Jessica White was raised in the country in northwestern NSW and, at age 4, lost most of her hearing from a bout of meningitis. Being a determined little girl, she refused to be daunted by her disability, but instead made her way from a tiny school of 100 pupils to publishing her first novel at age 29, before graduating with a PhD from the University of London.Jessica’s first novel, A Curious Intimacy, was published by Penguin in 2007, and won a Sydney Morning Herald Best Young Novelist award. Her second novel, Entitlement, was released by Penguin in September 2012.Jessica currently works part-time as a research assistant in Brisbane, while writing her third novel and a book of creative non-fiction.She can be found at www.jessicawhite.com.au
In 2006, White had a small role in Big Mommas House 2 and has appeared in music videos for Big & Rich, singer John Legend, rapper Jay-Z (Change Clothes), Robin Thicke (The Sweetest Love), and R&B singer Trey Songz (Neighbors Know My Name). In 2008 she appeared in The Young and the Restless.
White was part of Elite Plus, a subdivision of Elite Model Management, in New York City until it was terminated. On October 14, 2009, she was featured on Americas Next Top Model.
She has done editorials for Harpers Bazaar, Teen Vogue, King and covers shots for Surface and Trace magazines. In 2003, White was chosen for a coveted shoot in Sports Illustrateds famed Swimsuit Issue. She was also featured in the 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 issues. In addition to working with world-class photographers she was the object/subject of several Joanne Gair body painting works in these editions.
She was soon walking the runways for New Yorks top designers, including Ralph Lauren, Oscar de la Renta, Marc Jacobs and Tommy Hilfiger. Tyra Banks dubbed her "the model of her generation." In June 2007, White signed a contract with cosmetics company Maybelline.
At the age of 16, White was scouted in her hometown of Buffalo, New York, and had gone to Personal Best modeling school at age sixteen. In Paris, she signed a contract with the IMG agency and over the next six months landed campaigns for CoverGirl, Chlo, and Gap.
Was mentioned by Big & Rich in the song "Comin To Your City".
Despite her last name, shes African American.
I have good and bad days like everyone else. I just try to be positive and surround myself with great people. When I think about all the great things and people I have had in my life, that gives me confidence. .
