Many
of you are surely wondering “who is this Madalina?” Few may have heard of her
but to those who haven’t here it goes. This red-head is a 19-year-old model
born from a Romanian mom and a Lebanese Dad. Since I met her in our English
class at university more than a year ago, she never failed to amaze me with her
humbleness and her friendly approaches. This down-to-earth food lover and
extreme-sports fan accepted to sit down with me and offer me a sneak-peak into
her life for my first interview as a blogger, and now, I invite you to go with
me on a little journey as we unveil Madalina’s marvelous world…
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Tell
us a little bit about your early beginnings as a model.
“Well, I started modeling at age 14. It wasn’t something I wanted
to do at first. I always thought that modeling was for superficial girls, a
characteristic that I, as a scout girl, didn’t have. But a friend signed me up
for the Ford Modeling Competition. The casting was already over but my dad
talked to a contest responsible and gave them my measurements. They needed more
models at that time and so they accepted to meet me. I made it and entered the
contest. However, I didn’t win. Not that it mattered. I was so happy because
that experience taught me all the modeling basics I needed: how to walk, how to
behave, etc.”
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Briefly,
what are the milestones of your career?
“At age 14, I started modeling for the first time ever. Then, at
15, I entered the “Studio Al-Fann” competition on MTV and I won a gold medal.
At 17, I won the “Sirène de Jounieh” contest, and at 18, I was crowned Miss
Intercontinental 2011. At last, I was recently chosen as My Intelligent Little
Fashionista’s
new face.”
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How
does being a model affect your daily life?
“Being a model and knowing how a girl is supposed to act, walk, and
talk, I can make the difference between trend followers (who are numerous in
Lebanon) and trend setters (who are very rare in our society), between
wanna-bes and real girls. My experience as a model also made me grow up and
changed me for the better. Before, I was an introverted person who lacked
confidence in herself, but now, I see myself more as a extrovert who loves to
hang out with people and who is very self-confident.”
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What
is your favorite thing about modeling?
“Modeling has many pros out of which you have the connections that
you make with people around the world with whom you share your love for
fashion. Modeling also gives you opportunities to discover new cultures, and to
get used to constant change of places, people, settings, etc.”
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What
do you dislike most about modeling?
“Although modeling opens many doors for you, and introduces you to
new people, it can also attract many fake people’s attention who will try to
pretend they’re your friends just to benefit from your notoriety or money. In
addition to that, modeling revolves around keeping the show going on,
especially during pageants or competitions. Consequently, even if a model is
sad or sick or tired, she can’t show her feelings and has to smile and keep
going. Sometimes, faking that everything is alright can be a hard thing to do.”
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Do
you think about pursuing a career in modeling or is it just a hobby to you?
“I see modeling as a hobby especially that I live in Lebanon where
modeling is mainly for fun, not for money. I know that if I decide to make a
career of it, I can do it but right now, I want to get my marketing degree,
and, who knows, maybe do some law studies later on.”
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According
to you, what is the secret to being a successful model?
“First: Training, training, and more training! Second, being a good
model means staying true to who you are. Even if people try to change you,
resist them. If they try to make you do something you don’t want to do, say no
and don’t do it. Stand up for yourself, and refuse to live up to their ridiculous
beauty standards. Third, be ready to jump on opportunities that God gives you.
In addition to all of that, being a good model certainly means staying true to
your values and principles. You also must know that in modeling specifically,
and in life generally, the secret is in not over doing it. Sometimes, you need
to relax and wear comfy clothes. You don’t always have to be so glamorous and
good-looking. Finally, the secret to being a successful model resides in not
caring about what people say about you, or think of you, and knowing that in
the end, their critics aren’t worth it.”
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Who
are your favorite models and designers?
“I don’t have one specific model that I look up to or one designer
whose clothes I would like to wear. I think that it’s best to pick from every
model or designer their personal best and learn from their experience. However,
I like Claudia Schiffer a lot because someone once told me that I looked like
her. I also find Adriana Lima very attractive and hot. Designer wise, I like
Karl Lagerfeld”.
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What
is your must-have beauty-essential?
“In my everyday-life, I keep my make-up very natural. Therefore, I
carry a concealer, an eye-liner, some mascara, and a lip balm in my make-up
bag.”
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What
is your favorite clothing piece?
“Ironically, I love dresses! Although I don’t wear many, every time
I go shopping, the first things I look at are dresses. Oh… and heels! I have
this crazy obsession with heels.”
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How
would you describe your style?
“My style is basically very classical. It reflects my personality,
and it’s also the style that never goes out of date, that never fades away.”
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What
makes you most proud of yourself?
“In general, I am proud of just being me, of standing up for
myself, and for staying true to my values in a world that is constantly trying
to change me.”
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What
is your ultimate life goal?
“I think that my goal in life was never about money or fame. It’s
just about finding happiness, my own happiness, and creating my life the way I
see it and want it, not the way people want it for me.”
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Anything
else you would like to say to the readers out there?
“Mainly, I just want to tell you that life is short, you should
enjoy it to the max, and make the best out of each moment. If someone ever
tells you that you can’t do something, don’t listen to them, and do everything
to prove them wrong. It won’t be easy, but it will be worth it for sure. More
importantly, always see yourself as beautiful, no matter what society thinks of
it".
Picture by Rudolph Azzi
Picture by Miriam Alegria
- Xoxo,
T
