Meet Anthony Tone” Richey | Model

We had the good fortune of connecting with Anthony “Tone” Richey and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Anthony “Tone”, looking back, what do you think was the most difficult decision you’ve had to make?
The most difficult decision that I ever had to make is to live my life the way I want to. Growing up and being adopted a lot of decisions was made for me. I was told what college I will attend; I was told what career path I should take. My dreams and aspiration didn’t matter as I was going into high school. Once graduated high school I took my life in my own hands. I attended Clark Atlanta University, when my parents wanted me to attend another school. I majored in business, instead of law. I had to fight for everything that I wanted in life. My biggest battle was to live my life as an openly homosexual man, it was then that I was disowned by some family member, embraced by a few. However, the most traumatic thing was I was on my own at the age of 14 years old and only in the 10th grade. I finished out my high school living with a family that took me in for the remaining 2 years of my high school career.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
In the art of modeling, I enjoy being able to express myself, and bring other people creation to life. I began modeling at the 16, my introduction into the industry began with a model contest at Walmart. While participating in the contest I won first place and was immediately signed to the William Reynolds Modeling Agency located in Atlanta, GA. Even with a contract I wasn’t really able to work as a model because of life situations.

During my time at Clark Atlanta, I participated in fashion shows, and photo shoots with a model group called Project X. Which gave me some traction in the industry. I noticed that even with the proper looks, and training this was not going to be an easy task. It took me years to really become a working model. The greatest accomplishment happened at the age of 30 years old, I became the cover model for a novel, which sold out in the first week of being published. After that, my career went full speed ahead. I was able to travel around the world, walked in numerous fashion shows including New York Fashion Week, was published in multiple magazines, met and worked with local and national reality television stars. While building my modeling career COVID-19 took the world by storm. During quarantine, I took a major risk and opened my very first business, which is a mobile bartending service. Rich Bartending Services, that provide a mobile full-service bar for private events and corporate events. Opening a business during the midst of a pandemic was one of the most stressful tasks. However, it paid off because I have been in business for now almost 4 years. During these 4 years I was able not to only open my company in Atlanta, but I was also able to open another location in Pittsburgh, PA.

The most important lesson that I have learned during my journey, is that it is not where you began, but where you finished. If I allowed myself to fall victim to the trauma of my childhood, none of this would have been possible for me. I want the world to know that it only takes a dream to make it all possible.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
First, my friends know I am the king of turnup. I would take my friends to Georgia Aquarium, brunch spot such as Virgil’s or Traffik. A week-long trip in Atlanta, will have one person exhausted since there are so many different things to do here. Various clubs, and bars, amusements parks. However, my favorite spot to relax and catch a vibe is Cru, which is a local hookah spot.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
In my life I crossed paths with a few people that deserves a shoutout. However, the most important person that deserves the Noble Peace Prize of my life in indeed my best friend, and my sister Danielle McCray. I met Danielle during my college years at Clark Atlanta University, and it was then she became my backbone. She had witnessed my trials and tribulations firsthand, and ever passed judgement. Instead of that, Danielle encouraged me to pursue my career in modeling. The success that I had obtained in life is because of her unconditional love and friendship.

Instagram: Moriaj1985

Facebook: Tone Richey Dickerson / Rich Bartending Services

Image Credits
Photographer -Paris Steward @Talltowerstudios, Blair Devereaux @Pheauxtography, Azu @Azustudios