Local model wants to change people’s perceptions of the industry
Her motto is: "Life is not about your imperfections, but the beauty in your imperfections."
Nicole Page (18) is an aspiring model with a bright future ahead of her.
The Advertiser learnt more about her booming career.
Q: You are making your mark in the modelling industry. How did you get into it?
A: “From a young age, I’ve always been interested in the modelling industry. For many years I’ve watched the television series Toddlers and Tiaras. I’ve always dreamt of dressing up and going on stage and walking the ramp. At the age of six, I joined the industry for a couple of years on a temporary basis.
“At the age of 16, I decided to focus on it permanently to not only walk the modelling ramp, but to gain more confidence in myself and get involved within the community. I joined Younique Model Academy.”
Q: What is the most challenging part of your career?
A: “The media has led people to believe that when being a model, you have to be a certain build, height and body weight. Being a model, this doesn’t necessarily fit into the image of what the media has led people to believe a model should look like.
“This misconception and even perception creates a lot of personal issues girls need to deal with on a regular basis. You may be teased based on your looks, clothes, behaviour and so on.
“You may be short, tall, oversize, skinny, blond, brunette – it does not matter. Since I’ve started my journey, people have doubted my ability to be a good model and doubted my ability to place in competitions, yet I have triumphed. This challenge has given me more inspiration to succeed in every aspect.”
Q: The highlight of your career so far?
A: “The chance to be part of charity projects and to change my community for the better. One of the charities close to my heart is the Pikanini Safe Haven for children, which is run by Hanna Charity and Empowerment Foundation. Besides this, I had the pleasure to compete in the Miss Junior Teen SA pageant, and also various similar pageants introduced by the same organisers, such as Miss Tourism SA.”
Q: How did you feel when you did your first fashion show or photoshoot?
A: “I felt really nervous. People tend to believe going on the ramp is very easy, but they never take into consideration the training and preparation it takes before going on stage. Even on stage it’s very stressful as for those few minutes all eyes are on you, and they keep a close eye on every step and turn you make on stage. At a photoshoot it’s a bit more relaxed as you get the chance to correct your mistakes in poses.”
Q: What are you aiming for in this industry?
A: “Most people have a specific image of a model. I aim to change the image people see when hearing someone is a model. Any person can be a model with the right training and confidence. It’s not always about your body size and type, but having the confidence to get on stage and do what you love.”
Q: You do runway modelling and photographic modelling. Which one is your favourite?
A: “Runway modelling is far more challenging, yet some girls prefer this and forms part of the total package. Photographic modelling sounds easy, but you need to be able to portray the correct pose. It is a lot more technical than people believe it could be.
“I enjoy photoshoots. I’ve had, and currently have, the opportunity to work with the best photographers in the industry. I’ve been told by the experts that I am very photogenic and most competitions I enter are photogenic competitions.”
Q: If you could work with one famous model, who would it be?
A: “Ashley Graham. She is a plus-size model who has changed the way society sees a model.”
Q: Do you follow any exercise or diet plan?
A: “No, not really. I don’t follow any specific diet plans as I feel as a young adult your body is still developing and one must embrace the body type you have. Beside this, I don’t really have a sweet tooth and don’t enjoy eating starch. I try to do daily exercises at home when I can’t get to the gym that day.”
Q: Can you tell us five interesting facts about yourself?
- “At the age of 17, I started my own businesses. Recently, I also started my own clothing accessory brand, with new ideas in the pipeline.
- “In my spare time I enjoy writing short stories.
- “I love the beach – East Coast or West Coast it doesn’t matter.
- “I love animals. “And I do not like spinach – who does?”
Q: Is there anything else that you would like to add that you feel is important?
A: “Be yourself, believe in yourself, respect others and the rest will be easy.”
Some of the pageants she competed in:
- Miss JNR Teen South Africa 2018 – Top 10
- Miss JNR Teen Face of South Africa 2018 – Top 10
- JNR Miss Tourism South Africa 2019 – second princess
- Royal Queen 2019 – Emerald Group – first princess
- Royal Beauty 2019 – Emerald Group – first princess
- National Beauty 2019 – Emerald Group – second princess
- National Beauty Pageant – senior debutante
