Serious about making her mark in modelling
“I am a mother and a model,” Guyana’s top female model, Yolanda Kerr says with a bit of conviction as if someone had previously challenged her on the statement. But it is easy to doubt her after a simple glance.
Maybe it’s the curvy pencil thin figure that offers no clue about her motherhood status, but she insists that there are “up close” shots which make her a bit uncomfortable and “reality sets in that I have a child.”
Yolanda adores modelling and has stuck with it since a break-out gig at age 14 years, but she is an obsessive mother. To put that more accurately, there is nothing more important to her than her baby. Nine months have passed since she gave birth and it is easy to see why people would question if she ever was pregnant – the tiny body has zapped back into shape as if nothing had happened.
“I from a thin-boned family,
we hardly gain weight and when we do it sheds easily and that includes baby fat,” Yolanda said smiling as if sharing a private joke.
Yolanda Kerr would love to say “the body comes back after pregnancy” so that some women who recognize her as Guyana’s top female model as of last month could cling to hope, but it is hard to feel inspired when she looks that good. She deflates the possibility of easily slipping back into shape without frequent sessions at the gym.
Yolanda sat down for an interview on Wednesday and disclosed that genetics is a huge part of why she is where she is currently – reigning as a top model.
Yolanda recalls stepping out for the Guyana Model Search auditions feeling a bit tense, but ultimately winning praise for her stunning features, particularly her incredible bone structure.
“I was nervous because I had been away from it all for a few months, but the judges loved me and I started to rebuild my confidence from there,” she explained.
But even at age 19 years Yolanda felt a bit self-conscious in the competition. She was threatened by the younger models and because “a few of them just looked better.” She survived the eliminations week after week and finally started to believe.
Yolanda personifies the edgy, quirky model and she understands how to work the catwalk and the camera. She flaunts the body that she feels a bit nervous about “on occasions” very well, and according to her it has worked to her advantage.
She believes that her unique looks and stage presence might have set her apart from the other hopefuls, but admits that even on the night of the final competition she had doubts.
“I was not sure because I kept saying to myself that the other girls look good, maybe even better than me,” Yolanda said.
The announcement that she had won drew tears, but she was too ashamed to let the public see her crying and used the opportunity of an embrace from another model to dry her eyes. She sums up the competition as exciting, but extremely challenging.
The training was intense, according to her. She feels more disciplined as a result of the experience saying that she now recognizes how important it is to approach modelling in the same way as any other profession.
Yolanda is of the opinion that although she had been modelling before, it was after model search she understood what it meant to be an ambassador. She credits Artistic Director of the competition, Richard Young, with “making me aware” that there is a difference.
At age 14 years Yolanda responded to a call for models by a local designer and was instantly chosen. She decided to gain exposure through pageants and had participated in the Miss East Ruimveldt Pageant five years ago, where she finished in the runner-up position.
She recalls modelling part-time over the years and developing a strong interest in the model search competition. “I saw what Sonia Noel was doing and I wanted to enter the competition last year, but I got pregnant and had to wait it out. I was not going to let this year pass without signing up and giving it everything I had,” the model related.
Yolanda signed up, auditioned and was in. Even when she doubted herself her family encouraged and supported her. But she singled out her partner’s support as so tremendous that “I didn’t have to worry about any expenses or anything else.”
During the competition Yolanda drew comparisons to local catwalk queen Meleesa Payne; she feels such comments might be hyped but is happy for the association. She said that Meleesa is “where we all want to be” which she explained as being at the top and respected.
Yolanda is serious about modelling as a career and is already looking ahead to a regional competition next year where she faces off with the hottest female models in the Caribbean. Though she is pushing to win international recognition she has reservations about “modelling any and everything.”
Just what she views as “and everything” adds up to modelling certain swimsuits and pieces of clothing. She is eager to model, but is also cautious of the message she is sending. “It is all fashion yes,” she said, but pointed out that she would rather use fashion in other ways to “promote awareness about domestic violence and HIV/AIDS.” She noted that part of what the competition did was make her aware of how to use fashion positively, adding, “I thank Sonia for that.”
Yolanda would be among the models heating up the catwalk tonight as Guyana Fashion Weekend 2009 opens at the Princess Buddy’s International
Hotel.
(ianaseales@yahoo.com)
