Meet Our Models

Ms. Irene D Wonola

IQueen! Our Cover model for this month is Ms. Irene D Wonola and she goes by the stage name “Iqueen.” Iqueen, is a Liberian actress, dancer, music artist, and model. This young lady embodies the strength of a true fighter. Her story is meant to inspire others to never give up on their dreams.

From a very early age, Irene endured hardship. Her parents were very poor and could not adequately provide for her. She was sent to live with her grandmother who then sent her to live with a friend. This friend was financialy stable and could provide better care for Irene. As many other young children experiences when placed in foster care in Liberia, Irene said her foster parents mistreated her. She became a domestic slave and was deprived of proper schooling, and other normal childhood experiences. However, when the opportunity for freedom presented itself at age sixteen, Irene ran away from her foster home.

Irene had dreamed of becoming an entertainer, and when her high school hosted a teen pageant, she was ecstatic to prove to herself and her peers that she had what it takes to be a queen. Irene’s teachers and peers also recognized her beauty and talent, which won her the shool pageant. At this time Irene joined the underground musician’s group in Liberia and began to perform for large street audiences which became her main source of survival.

According to Irene, after learning about the hardship and neglect by her foster parents, her mother took Irene back in and apologized for neglecting her as a child. However, the reunion with her mother short lived when Irene became pregnant at age nineteen. Her mother rejected Irene once more and told Irene that the boy would have to take care of both her and the unborn child. The Young was a few years older than Irene, he took her in, and became abusive to her.

When the child was born, Irene managed to secure a job at a hotel owned by a Lebanese business man. She worked tirelessly at the hotel for a short while and was able to put aside a few hundred dollars. Unfortunately for Irene, the hotel owner propositioned her to become a sexual toy for his son. Fearing for her and her son’s life, she fled her employer and with the money she saved, she was able to rent a room for she and the child.

Irene, Iqueen is now twenty-six years old and have gained a certain level of fame amongst young Liberians from her acting and musical peformance. Her goal is to further her career in acting and music.

Mackeline International Fashion Magazine is honored to have this brave and courageous young woman as a member of our team. Congratulations Iqueen for being our cover model for May. We wish you success and prosperity.

mom apologized for giving me up as a child.