A couple of weeks ago, we caught up with the top three girls of SupermodelMe: Sirens who have made it to the finals. Come Monday, either Gabriella Leonardo, her twin sister Rafaella Leonardo or Alexandria Brouhard will walk away as the winner of the 12-week modelling competition.
In this special interview, I speak to the girls about their journey as a model, their beauty tips and how important is it to have friends in a competition like this. Because you know, it isn’t really reality TV without a good cat fight.
Tell us more about your journey as a model in the show.
Gabriella (G): Coming in I didn’t know what to expect, especially coming into this competition with my sister. It made me become more of a creative person and push all my limits. It was a self-discovering journey for me.
Raffaella (R): It allowed us to be more creative because it had a lot of spontaneous things. As a model it made me go through a lot of pressure because you’re around the house with other girls without contact with the outside world. It helped me be myself.
Alex (A): It was really tough. I’m pretty slim and it made me do a lot of tasks every now and then and I didn’t want to do a lot of the tasks and they’re not something I ever want to do again. It was really hard for me but after we did certain things I felt really proud of myself.
How has the show changed your perception of the modeling industry?
G: Because I really didn’t know my creative boundaries, I took modeling as how people would see the misconception of the modeling industry. For me, it showed me what modeling could actually offer. Now I want to use modeling in way I never even thought of before.
R: Definitely to reach out and go for greater heights is something I learnt and to drop everything completely especially after a task, you learn to let go of judgments.
A: My perception didn’t really change that much, because I’ve been modeling for a while so I’ve seen the bad and the good. The only thing I would say has changed was like Gabi said, usually when you do a job they have a set idea of how they want you to model but on the show, they give you an idea but you have more freedom to express yourself.
Being on a show like SupermodelMe, how important is it to make friends?
R: It’s really important. You learn that the minute you walk in because you have to be in harmony with the other girls for this to work. There was a lot of drama.
G: There were some girls who went against having a friend. For a lot of us it was about getting to know each other and being mature enough to know that we’re in a competition. One of us is going to win in the end, no hard feelings.
A: I think that if you don’t make friends you’re going to have all this negative energy between you and someone else and that’s going to affect your photo shoots. If someone didn’t like me, I would feel really bad. It feels better that we’re all friends and we’re supporting and encouraging each other.
Do you have a favourite judge?
R: My mother loves Dominic.
G: He’s such a charmer.
A: I like Lisa the most. I appreciate the things she says.
What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learnt from the show?
All: Confidence.
A: Every time you doubt yourself you’re not going to do well.
R: It’s a hindrance to being who you are when you doubt yourself.
G: Have your self-worth no matter what.
As models, you’re always on the go and you’re expected to look good. What’s in your beauty bag?
A: I love Clinique, they have an Even Better [Essence Lotion] for your skin. Sometimes I breakout from stress so that helps – I can’t live without it.
G: Raffi used to love Clinique as well. I love Estee Lauder perfumes. That’s my go to perfume, Estee Lauder Sensuous.
R: I love mascara. MAC mascara is good and I do like Clinique.
What is it that’s so unique about Asian models?
G: The unity – looking so different but there’s still that unity. At the base of it all, Asian cultures are similar in a way.
A: If you see Asian supermodels, there’s a softness to them but there’s also something unique that sets them apart from all models.
R: It’s a delicate power.
Growing up, who was your favourite model?
G: Gisele Bundchen
A: Naomi Campbell
R: Gisele Bundchen
What’s your comfort food?
G: Peanut butter.
R: I’m done with peanut butter, I’m all about almond butter now. Kit Kat and dark chocolate.
A: Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups.
How do you stay fit?
G: Have your body in movement all the time.
R: Breathe.
A: You don’t have to be at the gym all the time, you can go swimming and it’s still a workout.
Catch the season finale of SupermodelMe: Sirens on Monday, 9 February at 8pm, first and exclusively on DIVA (Astro Ch702) and on DIVA HD (Astro Ch723).
