Enigmatic, intriguing, and unapologetically themselves, the Clermont Twins have garnered a devoted following that hangs on to their every post, admiring their boundary-pushing fashion choices, and dissecting the intricate details of their lives, but there’s more to these remarkable women than meets the eye. Beyond the glitz and glamour lies a story of resilience, creativity, and an unyielding spirit. Their journey from obscurity to international recognition is a testament to the power of self-expression in the digital age.
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Early Life and Background
Shannon and Shannade Clermont were born on 21 March 1994, in Montclair, New Jersey, USA, to immigrant parents – their mother hailed from Jamaica, and their father was of Haitian descent. These identical twins, often recognized as the Clermont Twins, spent their formative years in Georgia. As the youngest among five siblings, they described themselves as ‘spoiled brats.’ Despite this label, growing up in a hardworking, working-class family, their parents instilled in them the importance of responsibility, along with a strong work ethic and determination to succeed. Their father, in particular, encouraged them never to accept ‘no’ as an answer. He was the kind of father who spared no expense to fulfill his children’s wishes. However, the twins were driven by a desire to achieve things on their terms, without relying on their father for the things they wanted.
Began modeling at 14
The Clermont twins shared a profound bond, and developed a keen interest in the world of fashion and beauty. This shared passion would go on to play a pivotal role in their journey to fame.
From a young age, the twins possessed a clear vision for their future – they sat down with their parents to explain their unwavering determination to pursue modeling and acting. Despite having excellent grades and receiving full scholarships for college in Georgia, they weren’t enthusiastic about pursuing a traditional college education. This was in contrast with their parents’ wishes, who tried to instill the importance of education in them.
However, when they turned 14 years old, it seemed like everything fell into place. In Georgia, it’s possible for young individuals to obtain a driving licence, and with this newfound freedom, it felt like the perfect moment to chase their dreams. They began actively seeking various opportunities, firmly committed to avoiding the limitations of a single career path.
They wanted to chart their own course regardless of what others might say. The twins devised a plan, enlisted the help of friends, and began applying for every opportunity they could find. This included castings and modeling gigs for various projects, from teen catalogues to hair magazines. They made cameo appearances in the official music videos of Future’s “Same Damn Time” and “Real Sisters.” They built a reputation for themselves in Atlanta, well before the era of social media. Their journey continued as they began doing stand-ins for films, and secured a contract for six months at an acting and modeling school, which provided valuable training and inclusion in a database for casting agents.
Moving to New York
They mentioned in an interview that a significant portion of Georgia’s residents had rather close-minded views. Shannon pointed to a video on X (formerly Twitter) from their high school, in which a group of cheerleaders were heard enthusiastically shouting the word ‘nigger.’ She observed that this atmosphere closely resembled what they had experienced at that time. It wasn’t uncommon for white guys to find them exceptionally attractive but, at the same time, express reservations about introducing them to their parents.
The twins harbored hopes of discovering a world beyond Georgia that would embrace and celebrate them for who they truly were, and firmly believed that such a place could be found in New York. As young as six years old, their aunt used to whisk them away on the train to the Big Apple, during which trips they would eagerly practice on the catwalks, envisioning themselves in the shows their aunt was involved with. This experience had perhaps played a significant role in their decision to head there, where they could fully explore their passion for fashion.
Clermont twins spotted pic.twitter.com/hIotS2et5M
— Clermont Twins (@ClermontTwins) December 25, 2022
What Made The Clermont Twins Famous
In essence, the Twins’ fame developed gradually over time. There isn’t a specific moment that can be pinpointed as to when it all began, but can be attributed to several key milestones and elements, with social media serving as a foundation for their popularity. Their unique style, collaborations, reality TV appearances, and occasional controversies all contributed to their rise to prominence.
Unique Identical Twin Appeal
One of the most striking aspects of the Clermont Twins’ popularity is their identical twin status. Identical twins have always held a fascination for people, and Shannon and Shannade have leveraged this inherent interest to their advantage. Their identical looks, combined with their confident and stylish demeanor, have made them a captivating presence on social media and TV.
Unapologetic Confidence
The Twins radiate confidence both in their online presence and public appearances. They wholeheartedly embrace their individuality and self-expression, remaining genuinely themselves without any pretense. Their self-confidence has struck a chord with numerous individuals, particularly those who value authenticity and self-acceptance.
They emphasized that they were more than just statues; they had their own thoughts and feelings. Like anyone else, they faced life’s challenges and had their share of ups and downs. At times, they found themselves misunderstood, but they had grown to understand such moments. Their deliberate choice to maintain a degree of privacy allowed people to form their own assumptions about them.
Shannon and Shannade had come to accept that there would always be individuals who disagreed with their choices and actions, but they knew that they inspired others as well. Furthermore, they shared that they considered themselves to be kind-hearted and good-natured, approaching life with a light-hearted perspective, and didn’t take things too seriously.
Bold Fashion and Style
The Clermont Twins are known for their bold and unconventional fashion choices. They often push the boundaries of fashion norms, embracing avant-garde styles, and experimenting with distinctive make-up and hairstyles. Their fearless approach to fashion has resonated with a diverse audience, and garnered attention from the fashion industry.
Identifying as artists, they consistently strive to create something different, and have established themselves as their own distinct brand. To them, fashion is an ever-evolving, non-repetitive and organic form of expression. They firmly believe they’re reshaping the way people perceive fashion, and being pioneers in this endeavor carries an inherent risk. While it may present challenges, they find it liberating. Their core belief is that it’s not only acceptable but also empowering to embrace one’s uniqueness.
Launched their fashion label, Mont Boudoir
Mont Boudoir is a departure from the widespread fast-fashion styles dominating Instagram. Inspired by their Southern roots, their brand weaves together the charm of country style with a dash of daring fashion.
Their collection uniquely combines elements of Western cowboy aesthetics with the allure of gothic 1990s starlets, all crafted from luxurious materials such as silk and pony hair. Their decision to predominantly feature black in their collection is a deliberate choice, as they aim to craft timeless pieces that transcend fashion trends. Their seemingly revealing dresses can be elegantly paired with more conservative elements, creating a sophisticated look. Each of their designs is intended to be a bold statement, the kind of fashion that is impossible to forget.
When asked about how it all began, they explained that their journey started with a common frustration during their shopping excursions. They often couldn’t find the clothing they truly desired, so they reached a point at which they began designing and sewing their own garments; their goal was to create unique pieces that couldn’t be found in any store.
What’s intriguing is that neither of them formally pursued fashion design as a major. Shannon studied fashion merchandising at the Fashion Institute of Technology, while Shannade focused on Strategic Design at Parsons School of Design. Nevertheless, their upbringing saw them crafting their own clothing, a process that naturally led to self-teaching and an understanding of the craft. From their perspective, they believed that formal design education was not an absolute necessity. They were confident that aspiring designers could acquire the necessary knowledge and skills through research, whether it be learning from a mentor, diving into books, or exploring online resources.
Social Media Savvy
Social media has played a pivotal role in their rise to fame. The twins are highly active on platforms such as Instagram on which they share eye-catching photos and engage with their followers. They currently have around 1.8 million followers on their official Instagram account. Their ability to curate visually appealing content, given their striking appearance and distinctive style, coupled with a consistent online presence, has contributed to their popularity, and allowed them to connect with a broad fanbase. Their captivating presence on Instagram caught the attention of various fashion brands and media outlets, leading to numerous collaborations and opportunities in the fashion industry. Notably, they were included in Kanye’s YEEZY Season six campaign.
Reality Television Exposure
Their appearance on Oxygen’s “Bad Girls Club” provided them with a platform to showcase their personalities, and further expand their fan base. While the show is known for its confrontational atmosphere, it also offers participants the opportunity to gain exposure and recognition in the entertainment industry. Despite their brief appearance in the show, this was when their social media following began to grow significantly.
They were 20 years old when they made their reality TV debut in 2015, in the 14th season of “Bad Girls Club.” However, the experience didn’t turn out as expected, and was so traumatizing that they vowed never to repeat it. Nonetheless, they did acknowledge that they gained valuable lessons from the experience, which ultimately helped them become better individuals, and increased their determination to work harder towards achieving their goals.
Evidently, they were removed from the show. Just two days prior, they expressed their intention to leave because they were having issues with the production, but the executive producer convinced them to stay. Conflicts were brewing inside the house, and the twins suspected that certain cast members had ulterior motives, particularly those they believed had nothing to lose. In retrospect, it became clear that some of the other girls were putting on a show exclusively for the cameras.
A pivotal incident occurred when, upon returning to the house they shared with the other cast members after a night out, they discovered that all their belongings worth $200,000, including clothing, shoes, and makeup, had been maliciously destroyed and scattered throughout the premises. This discovery provoked an intense emotional reaction, leading the twins to respond with anger, threatening the other roommates and causing some damage to the house. In the aftermath, they found themselves essentially confined to their rooms and denied contact with their parents or the police. The security and production team mishandled the situation. Consequently, the twins, along with another cast member, pursued legal action against the production company. Reportedly, the case was settled out of court.
Controversies and Drama
Despite, or perhaps because of their success, the Clermont Twins have faced their fair share of challenges. While controversies can have both positive and negative effects on a public figure’s popularity, they have undeniably contributed to the Clermont Twins’ notoriety. The legal issues surrounding Shannade Clermont generated significant media attention and discussion.
On 31 January 2017, Shannade was on what they referred to as a ‘prostitution date’ with James Alesi, a 42-year-old real estate broker. Reportedly, Alesi had passed out after consuming alcohol and ingesting a mixture of cocaine and fentanyl when Shannade left his residence. The following morning, it was maintenance workers who discovered James’ lifeless body. It was unclear when she learned of his death, but faced criticism for departing without seeking help or alerting emergency services, given James’ condition.
Compounding her actions was the fact that she had stolen his debit card information, and used it for unlawful transactions to support her lavish lifestyle. This ranged from buying luxury goods to covering her rent and flights. Additionally, she resorted to creating email accounts to transfer over $20,000 to her own account.
She was subsequently arrested and charged with wire fraud, and in 2019, Shannade received a sentence of one year in federal prison, which was followed by three years of supervised release. The twins worked to manage the impact on their public image, emphasizing personal growth and learning from their mistakes in their statements and interviews.
Personal life
Both sisters share aspirations of eventually marrying the right partner. Their parents, who have been together for 38 years, served as a source of inspiration, instilling in them the hope of a “happily ever after.” In an interview, it was revealed that between the two, it was Shannon who was often in relationships, although they were short-lived. The twins had maintained the privacy of their dating history, so fans were taken by surprise when they discovered from an online news site that Shannon was seeking an annulment of her marriage to Alex Moss, a celebrity jeweler. They tied the knot in March 2022, but he sought to end the marriage after just four days.
Appearance
As identical twins, distinguishing between the two can be a challenge because they put significant effort into styling themselves, including their hair, make-up and outfits, in nearly identical ways. However, upon closer scrutiny, one can observe subtle differences. Shannade stands slightly taller at 5ft 6ins (171cms) compared to Shannon, who measures 5ft 4ins (165cms). They share the same body type, characterized by a toned and curvaceous physique, with Shannade weighing in at 128lbs (58kgs) and Shannon at 132lbs (60kgs). Both twins possess naturally black hair and black eyes.
Surgical Enhancements
When examining the Clermont Twins, people frequently make assumptions that they’ve undergone cosmetic surgeries. This could be due to the noticeable transformations in their appearances when comparing present photos to their past ones, or it may seem implausible for them to naturally look the way they do.
Shannon and Shannade have been somewhat candid about their experiences with cosmetic surgery and enhancements, though they haven’t delved into great detail. These procedures have played a part in shaping their distinctive appearance. Their willingness to discuss these enhancements has spurred conversations about beauty standards and body image within the context of social media and the fashion industry.
The twins have openly discussed their rhinoplasty procedures, which involve surgical alterations to the shape and structure of the nose. Additionally, they sport noticeably fuller lips, hinting at the use of lip fillers, a non-surgical cosmetic procedure that entails injecting dermal fillers into the lips to enhance their volume and shape. While not explicitly confirmed, it’s widely speculated that the Clermont Twins have also used Botox and dermal fillers to achieve a smooth and youthful complexion. In addition to facial procedures, the Clermont Twins’ curvaceous figures have led to speculation about potential body enhancements, such as buttock and/or breast augmentation.
Net worth
The Clermont Twins leveraged their appearance and, through the use of social media, ascended beyond the world of Instagram models. They shared that they effectively utilized all available platforms to promote themselves and their brands, achieving considerable success in the process. As of October 2023, the Clermont Twins have an estimated net worth ranging close to $5 million, as reported by reputable sources.
