Tatyana Rhodes—the young woman who organized the pool party in McKinney, Texas, which made national headlines after a video went viral showing the harsh treatment of black teens by a police officer—is launching a modeling career while the controversy is still hot.
Less than two weeks after the incident, a Facebook page in Rhodes' name announced she has officially started her modeling career.
Photographer Tay, of A.K.A. Tay Photography in Atlanta, issued a press release Wednesday that said the negative attention of the "unfortunate McKinney pool party events" will be turned into "a positive jumpstart" for Rhodes' new career, according to CBS DFW.
The statement also said that the photographer spotted Rhodes online, after reading a story about the pool party, and saw her potential. He then went to Texas to do her first photo shoot. Some of the pictures Tay took were posted on Rhodes' Facebook page.
The page also said Rhodes always wanted to be a model, and wants to "use her exposure to help bring about change in the community."
However, confusion arose as to whether Rhodes is actually starting a modeling career. On Wednesday, CBS DFW said the young woman's lawyer contacted them and told them it is not true.
Rhodes herself, as well as her family, has not commented on the issue.
