Lira Galore Is Moving Beyond Her Past and Into Her Tomorrow – Exclusive

Eye Candy
Moving beyond her past and into her tomorrow, Lira Galore finds her way.
Words: Sean A. Malcom
Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared in the Spring 2016 issue of of XXL Magazine, on stands now.

"The first time we met was [in 2014]
 on the set of ‘Thug Cry’ and he picked me to be the lead role,” remembers the Philly bombshell Lira Galore of meeting her former fiancé Rick Ross. “When I met him, we shook hands and it was very professional. We didn’t even really speak.”

Fast-forward a year later during All-Star Weekend in New York, where after running into each other, more than words were exchanged. “He told me he had a crush on me and we exchanged numbers,” she continues. “That’s how that went.”

Now, looking beyond that chapter in her life, Ms. Galore— whose 36C-25-42 tautness has also appeared in videos for Ross’ “Sorry” and P Reign’s “DnF”—continues to build her brand. “I feel I was never in his shadow,” says Lira, who is transitioning into acting, has an app, a beauty blog and cosmetics line, all named Lira Luxe on the horizon. “I was my own name before I got with him. People knew who I was just as long as they knew who he was. It was never like, ‘That’s Rick Ross’ fiancée,’ it was always like, ‘There’s Rick Ross and Lira Galore.’”

Noted.

XXL: What was it about modeling that made you want to get in it? 


Lira Galore: I looked at modeling as a stepping-stone to get into things like movies and TV.

So you were just thrown into the video modeling game?

No, I started dancing when I was 18 and that’s kind of how I got into it. But I started doing photo shoots around that time. And then I stopped dancing and did more modeling.

What did you learn from that chapter in your life? 


Dancing taught me a lot about money—how fast it comes and goes. It also teaches you a lot about saving money.

Recall the day that Ross proposed to you. Word is it took place at a jewelry store in New York City.

I always thought when someone proposed to me, I would cry. But I was so happy, I couldn’t cry. I was emotional but I was happy. He was very sweet about it. It was a surprise. I thought I was going to get a new watch or something. But it was all planned out.

What did you learn from that experience with Rick? 


Pay more attention to the signs that are there. And definitely continue to work because I stopped working when I got with him. So, definitely, always continue to work to be able to support myself and stand on my own two feet. And to pay attention to the signs that are there. 

What holds your interest now?

Getting to the next level. Putting all my time and energy into myself and my career.

Check out more from XXL’s Spring 2016 issue including Big Sean’s cover story, the Letter from the Editor, Macklemore’s thoughts on White privilege, Kodak Black’s Show & Prove interview, Doin’ Lines with Boosie BadAzz, Flatbush Zombies’ serious comic addiction, the producer behind Desiigner’s hit “Panda,” Plies’ career boost thanks to Instagram, Anderson .Paak's Show & Prove and more.