From Face of Africa since 13 years ago, Oluchi Onweagba Orlandi has been an inspiration to the modelling world. Recently made the Ambassador of Nature's Gentle Touch, a new hair therapy for lovers of natural hair, the doting mother and wife spoke on life as a mother and an international model. YEMISI ADENIRAN reports.
How would you like to describe marriage and child – bearing as they relate to your career?
It's been real fun. Every woman's desire is to have children at one point or the other. This may really not be very relevant in other world especially with the whites, but in Africa, every mother is a blessed woman. So, I am a happy mother because I'm blessed with a child.
Even when a woman is not troubled by her in-laws because she cannot bear a child, she is troubled by herself. It's simply unAfrican to be married and not have kids. And as for my career, my marriage and kid has no negative effect at all, instead it's an added value. It has always been my desire to succeed in my career and also be married and be called a mother.
So, this is simply a blessing. My life is indeed a blessing because it is a good thing to live one's dream. This is exactly what is happening to me. I must tell you my stable home is an advantage to me, it gives me an edge over others in my job.
How are you able to keep fit and turn your life stages into modelling?
It's about my passion, what I love to do and my attitude towards life. I have a positive attitude to life and so, I see no minus in anything that happens around me. I believe it is for a purpose and I see every stage in life as an opportunity to exploit. I am a model and it is just normal and appropriate for me to see and apply my experiences into what I do.
Is this also why you have kept your black skin?
I want to believe so. I am an African girl and we are predominantly black people. I love my colour, my shape and all about myself. I believe in myself and not in other people. Your skin colour, as far as I know, cannot solitary make you beautiful; it's a combination of other things. Besides, we all know black is beautiful. I don't have to lighten up my skin colour to look beautiful.
But most models don't see it this way?
May be they need to and I really think they should. It is good to accept one's nature or person and not just your skin colour. There are more dangers in bleaching than the benefits. Besides, what will be will always be. It is not until one is light that she can be a model or become the most beautiful woman, no! Just be yourself, love yourself and treat yourself well. It is in doing this that one can stand out and become something better.
What has been your driving force in life?
My beloved Africa is my driving force. My strong inner belief, my positivity towards life is also my driving force. Once I am convinced about a thing, it becomes hard to get me discouraged about it.
What advice do you have for aspiring models?
I would not advise them to follow the path of anyone but they should create a path for themselves. They can be inspired by others but they cannot be another person. They should know why they are in this profession and think of how to stand out on their own.
Who were those that inspired you when you took off ?
Imam was the first person that inspired me. Then Alec Wek, Naomi Campbell and Tyra Banks. These models inspired me in no small measure but I didn't follow their footsteps. I like them and learnt the importance of hard work in life.
Are you saying hard work and not beauty makes a model?
Exactly yes. It's not just beauty that makes a model, hard work does. And unlike what many believe, this is really the joker. It is not other careers that require hard-work, modelling does. Apart from the consistent work you have to do on your body to keep you trim and fit at all times, you need to discover yourself, play on your special gift, endowments and get creative in your mind and attitude. Modelling comes with a lot of denial and discipline.
Do you support dieting as a way of keeping fit for a model?
Well I wouldn't because I don't do it. I believe it has some adverse effects, I believe it is not the best. All I do is to exercise constantly and that is what I will advise anyone who wants to keep fit. Watching one's weight is all about self discipline and that is all one need to do. I personally can't run away from good food especially my native food. I love them and will do myself lots of good by eating well. I don't deny myself of good food but I am disciplined when it comes to food.
When I had my child, I added weight but I made sure I trimmed the excess weight down by exercise. It is better to engage in body exercise than dieting. However, I will advise whoever that wants to go into exercise to cross check with his or her doctor for the right type.
