Cynthia Denise Bailey, born February 19, 1967, in Decatur, Alabama, began her career in modeling. At 18, she moved to New York City and signed a five-year contract with Wilhelmina Models. Her modeling work included runway appearances in Paris and Milan, as well as campaigns for brands like Maybelline, Oil of Olay, and Target. She also appeared in magazines such as Vogue, Glamour, Elle, and Vanity Fair.