Supermodel, Diandra Soares, who was down in Goa to judge a modelling event, in conversation with NT BUZZ speaks about her modelling career and how reality shows are not entirely real
VENITA GOMES| NT BUZZ
Known for her bold personality, supermodel Diandra Soares has made her mark in the fashion world, walking the ramp for international fashion houses like Gucci, Leonard Paris, Emanuel Ungaro and Sonia Rykiel. Diandra has taken up challenges thrown her way since she started modelling when she was 16 and is still going strong.
Though she a supermodel, Diandra admits that she was not really sure of modelling as a career. “I was just 16 and I was not sure of making it my career, but everyone around me was quite happy about it. My mom was very obsessed with various fashion titles; also my friends would suggest that I join the industry as I had the looks and the needed height. It was only when I turned 21 that I realised this was something I should make my career in.”
In the past two decades, Diandra has been through ups and downs and these have been learning experiences for her. The fashion industry was quite welcoming, she says: “There is a lot of support that you receive from various models, mentors and guides. It’s not only about the help but also about how you are. If you come into the industry with an attitude and think that you know it all then no one will think of helping you. Only if you are willing to learn and accept things then people are always there to guide you.”
She advises youngsters who wish to get into the modelling industry to have a learning attitude and have confidence: “You should have confidence. Also, you ought to know your positives and negatives. There are several instances where you will feel insecure in the industry because there are talented people around you, but how you look at yourself matters the most.”
Self knowledge plays a major role in identifying yourself and Diandra has always tried to stay true to her identity. “We often need to identify what is that thing that we are giving to the industry which is different from the rest. Once we are able to identify and portray ourselves that way then we are almost there,” she adds.
‘Being yourself’ is something she has always endorsed and that was put to test in the reality show Bigg Boss 8. “I had friends of mine who were part of the Bigg Boss show and they would tell me about the show. But when I actually decided to get into it, it was quite different. The atmosphere was totally different. It was a place where no one could predict what could happen. Also, you were among different people who you did not know and there adjusting issues could crop up but gradually you learn to be amongst them. It’s all about being the person you are.”
Ask her about the authenticity of reality shows and how real they are, she shares that they are not entirely real. “What viewers see is 45 minutes of edited footage of what we do the whole day. This footage contains a mixture of entertaining scenes which the viewers would love to watch. So, it’s nothing in your hand but being yourself is all what you have to do. People tend to judge you on what they see but sometimes blindly trusting what you see sometimes tends to overshadow your power of thinking,” adds Diandra.
Diandra often calls herself ‘ManGo’ which is because of her Mangalorean and Goan connection. “My parents are from Mangalore and Goa and visiting these two places is just a different feeling. I like coming to Goa, it’s my second home. May be how I am and how I enjoy my life is the Goan influence on me.”