You take one glance at a model and your mind conjures up images of glamorous photo shoots, couture gowns, dreamy destinations and a life filled with confidence. However, the reality behind the scenes is not always as picture-perfect as it seems.
As per the words of German supermodel Heidi Klum, “In this job an illusion of beauty is sold which doesn’t really exist like that. It’s like a work of art, an act. I’ve just come from a job, am made-up and made to look beautiful with fantastic clothes and hair and nails all done.”
Truth is, behind the glamour of the runway and the set, the lives of models are not solely defined by Barbie smiles and flawless makeup. For Nia Atasha, Vanizha Vasanthanathan and Lisha Ho, they are determined to be more than just beautiful faces. They aspire to be the most authentic selves in an industry that often lacks balance, continuously challenging stereotypes with their sharp wit and broad intellect.
It was a Thursday, the clock struck 10 in the morning as the entire crew geared up for the shoot. The three ladies arrived at the studio with beaming smiles, fresh faces and unwavering focus. To our astonishment, each of them holds a story carrying the power to touch the hearts of any listener.
Nia Atasha on being untouchable
Nia, with her captivating gaze, striking features, and timeless beauty, defied expectations. As a complement to her youthful appearance, this 28-year-old possesses a kind-hearted nature and an infectious charm. Surprisingly, Nia’s journey into the world of modeling began when she was scouted by a writer from Seventeen Magazine at the tender age of seventeen. “Seventeen for Seventeen. Quite amusing, isn’t it? But perhaps it was meant to be,” she shares. Nia Atasha has a remarkable ability to create a warm and jovial atmosphere wherever she goes, a stark contrast to her Instagram persona – Sleepy Llama, where she often showcases her moody pout. “I’m always sleepy… and I like llamas. That’s how I got the name.”
As someone currently in high demand, having graced the most prominent runways and the covers of esteemed magazines, I slip in a casual “Who is the real Nia?”. Clad in head-to-toe Versace, she calmly responds, “To be honest, despite the success I have achieved in my career and personal growth, I still find myself questioning my worthiness of being labelled as a ‘model’ and ‘actor’. It was really weird to call myself a model even five years into my career back then, just because I felt like I didn’t deserve to be called one. I guess it’s just me being self-critical.” She takes a brief pause then continues, “Though I try to embrace my uniqueness. I’m not a typical textbook [model and actor], but to be able to get the opportunities that I do, I’m sure there is something about me that stands out. And I think that’s enough.”
Undoubtedly, success attracts criticism, particularly when one has a vast audience. Last year, the Malay-Muslim model garnered attention for her role in a global campaign for Victoria’s Secret lingerie. When asked about the matter, she answers humbly, “I knew what I was getting myself into when I accepted the job. And as expected, the aftermath was crucial […] but you know what, I’m extremely passionate about modelling. I love my job. So when I find myself in controversies or whatever, I don’t take it too personally. I can’t force people to understand or accept what I do, and I’m okay with that!” she says while flashing that signature smile of hers.
“There is always a solution to every problem you face, regardless of the industry or career path you choose. If something feels like a burden, it’s time to move on to something new.”
In Nia’s realm, optimism is not myopic. Declining to allow herself to become a target of criticism, she expresses her determination to brush off any misunderstandings people may have about her and not allow the opinions of others to disrupt her primary objectives. And to achieve this, Nia suggests that taking a hiatus from the internet could greatly contribute to improving her mindset. The Leo zodiac sign-bearer shares, “Usually, I get crafty. I binge-watch my favourite shows. I play with my cats. I do it all. I also catch up on sleep,” she laughs. In the meanwhile, she’s drumming up momentum towards becoming an even greater model and actress.
As we continue to chat about her life-outside-modelling-interest, Nia takes us by surprise when she excitedly exclaims, “Growing up, I wanted to be, and I still want to be – a children’s book illustrator. I love designing. Although my current path in life is different, if given the chance, I would definitely pursue my dream of becoming one!” Her face lights up with joy. In a flash of light, I see that she’s a little girl at heart, holding in the dreams of her childhood, yearning for the grandest dreams imaginable.
As she navigates through this phase of her life, she makes it firm that she doesn’t need a chivalrous saviour to liberate her from a lofty fortress. Nia herself possesses the strength and determination to overcome any challenge. When asked what advice she would give young girls upon entering the industry, she confidently says, “There is always a solution to every problem you face, regardless of the industry or career path you choose. If something feels like a burden, it’s time to move on to something new.”
Vanizha Vasanthanathan lives unapologetically
At thirty-one, Vanizha Vasanthanathan demonstrates the tenacity that her family and friends instilled in her. Something she gracefully exemplifies by excelling as an Odissi dancer while strutting on both local and international runways or simply being an embodiment of diversity. Her accomplishments can barely cradle their own space in one sentence. When she speaks, her glee is transfusive, her smile beaming.
Vanizha began her career in 2015 – from being included as the first Malaysian-Indian to be in a Sephora campaign to making waves with her Milan Fashion Week debut. Ever since, she has changed the industry and the ambitions of many dark-skinned girls in Malaysia who finally saw themselves reflected on magazine covers and in high-fashion images. “Growing up, I wanted to change the way people look at people like me and I believe it’s happening.” She also shares that she wasn’t always in tune with her confident prowess. Her self-image was frayed. For most of her younger years, she saw her dark, “night-shaded” complexion as an insecurity.
Like so many other little girls, Vanizha used to intently watch America’s Next Top Model. Since then, she recalls having interest in being a model but never saw someone like herself appear in the modelling industry. She wrestled with the harsh way the outside world viewed her and how she in turn viewed herself. Looking back, she’d tell her younger self, “Be kinder and celebrate the things that I was more.”
“It has always been me. I only have myself to cope with these situations. I learned to find things to love about myself and to celebrate them.”
Between the ever-changing beauty standards presented by the mainstream media and expectations on social media, remaining confident is easier said than done. Over time, she has learned that having self-love is her superpower and that she can make a real difference in an industry that often adheres to rigid norms. “It has always been me. I only have myself to cope with these situations. I learned to find things to love about myself and to celebrate them.”
“I’m also very transparent on social media. I try to be candid about what’s happening in my life as a model.” Through shaking off toxic mindsets and healing old wounds, Vanizha redefined her own perceptions of beauty and life goals. Since then, she’s emerged as a force driving change in her field that even led her to gracing the cover of Vogue Singapore. “I thought it [the email about the Vogue cover] was a scam!” she laughs, recalling the epic moment of her life. “I couldn’t believe it. When I found out that I was the first Malaysian-Indian to appear on the cover of Vogue, I felt excitement, affirmation and joy. It was a proud moment for me.”
Vanizha adds, “See, opportunities like this make me feel appreciated and well-loved, especially when there are times that I struggle and feel the need to constantly push myself to do better as a woman of colour in the industry.”
Though she acknowledges the progress made by certain brands in promoting inclusivity and diversity in their model selection, she emphasises that there is still a long way to go due to ongoing instances of bigotry. She stresses the importance of not using dark-skinned models as mere tokens for the sake of diversity, but rather providing genuine starts for all, “We need to have serious equal opportunities.”
Although fair-skinned models still dominate the charts, the fashion industry is gradually changing, creating more chances for individuals who resemble her. Vanizha has emerged as a role model for young people who are seeking self-acceptance. “My goal is to enlighten others about the industry, particularly those who share my appearance. I aspire to make a difference by empowering them to embrace their unique beauty and cultural heritage.”
Lisha Ho gets real about body image
The first thing that strikes one about Lisha Ho is her smile – open, friendly and curious about the world. The former beauty pageant tends to tower a bit above everyone in the studio, though she claims that she’s a lot shorter as compared to models in Western countries. “It’s no secret that modelling favours the tall. I’m regarded as ‘fairly tall’, but not extraordinary”, she laughs. “I do not ‘feel tall’ but probably that’s because the female models in Europe are about 5 ’11”.”
Lisha, now in her thirties, reminisces about her time in the modelling world. At the age of twenty-two, she decided to chase her career ambitions by relocating from the quiet suburbs of Malaysia to the bustling city of Hong Kong. However, contrary to what others anticipated, her experience was far from the flawless dream life she had imagined. Despite her determination to become a successful “straight” size model at size 0, she struggled immensely. “I was constantly dieting, 24/7, trying my best to meet the industry’s standards,” she recounts. “I was unhappy and never ‘thin’ enough to secure bookings, so it felt like I was depriving myself for nothing.”
Though Lisha is currently experiencing great success, having secured exclusive deals with renowned brands like Dior, Louis Vuitton and Calvin Klein, while also working in major fashion hubs such as Milan, London and Shanghai, she openly expresses that the industry often perceives models as mere “interchangeable coat hangers.” According to her, maintaining a slim figure throughout her career was crucial for success, even though it came with its challenges. Lisha reveals, “We had to learn the hard way. If an agency noticed even the slightest weight gain, we were promptly measured, instructed to lose weight immediately and faced reprimands.”
“I’ve really learned that beauty for me is about that confidence within and being able to work on your mental health. It really is about loving yourself and understanding that your worth comes from you and not from anybody else.”
Adding to the concern, the lanky beauty reveals that she had been silently battling with PCOS, after years of weight fluctuation and not getting her period for five years. “The syndrome had been attacking me from the inside out my entire life and I had no idea […] The thing with PCOS is that it also affected me emotionally, so it was important for me to talk about my feelings.” Lisha adds that the issue was made more problematic by the disconnect between what the public thinks modelling involves and the reality of it. “People think it’s really glamorous and luxurious, with loads of freebies and getting paid millions. That was not the case!”
Reflecting on her decade-spanning career, Lisha takes a deep dive into how modelling has truly changed the relationship she has with her body. “I look at my body now as a temple. Before, it kind of got to the point where my body wasn’t owned by me. Now I feel like I own my body again,” she smiles. “I’ve really learned that beauty for me is about that confidence within and being able to work on your mental health. It really is about loving yourself and understanding that your worth comes from you and not from anybody else.”
Nia, Vanizha and Lisha may just have changed modelling as we know it when they, along with today’s impactful scene of models, became symbols of empowerment. With social media being very much essential, this trio is constantly showing a whole new generation, particularly speaking to those facing issues about the unethical sides of the modelling industry, that they, too, can have a seat at the table or a turn on the runway.
Vanizha shares, “The advice I give to those who dream of wanting to become a model is to simply have faith in yourself. Just keep going because if you stick your neck out for long enough and stay true to yourself, people will see you.”
And now that all eyes are on them, the three stunners are ready to take their career to greater heights and make room for others along the way.
Featured image: Vanizha wears outfit from Sandro, Nia wears dress from Sandro and shoes from Maje, Lisha wears outfit from Maje. All wear jewellery from Cartier.
Assisted by: Aqilah Najwa Jamaluddin
Photography: Delvin Xian
Photography assistant: Dave
Art Direction: Anson Siau
Styling: Alicia Wong
Styling assistant: Mon Kai-Siong
Makeup and hair: Asaki
Videographer: Haoyii
Location: Image Rom