- When she was 9 years old she tagged along on a fashion shoot with Linda Evangelista, who encouraged her to become a model.
- When she was 14 years old she moved to Fort Lauderdale to continue her formal education and graduated with honours and a degree in fashion design. During this time she had done a little modeling but this didn't really take off until she moved to Chicago.
- Shakara appeared in the 2000, 2001 & 2005 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition.
- She appeared in the movies 'After the sunset', 'Raising Helen', 'Prey rock & Roll' and 'Behind the Smile'.