Fresh off her Asia鈥檚 Next Top Model Season 5 win, 19鈥憏ear鈥憃ld Maureen Wroblewitz sits down with聽SparkUp聽at her recent meet鈥慳nd鈥慻reet at SM Makati, talking about the qualities that will help anyone land success in the age of social media. Despite her job, they have nothing to do with mere physical beauty.
You have to stick to your instincts and go for it.
Ms. Wroblewitz got discovered by a local modelling talent agency when she was just 15 years old on photo sharing app Instagram. She was still living in Saudi Arabia at the time, but when she was contacted by the agency, she knew in her heart that she wanted to give modelling a try. Her father allowed her to go, but on one condition: that she finish her studies first. Maureen graduated high school and flew to the Philippines on pure faith that things will work out. 鈥淚鈥檓 afraid of regret. I knew it was a great opportunity for me, and I had to take it because I know not everybody gets that chance,鈥 she recounted.
After a few months of landing minor gigs here and there, Asia鈥檚 Next Top Model announced they were holding their fifth cycle and were accepting applicants for contestants. The naturally shy beauty almost backed out from joining but, in the end, it was this motto that forced her to really go for it.
Always tell yourself that you鈥檙e beautiful and that you鈥檙e worth it.
While she was accepted at the prestigious competition, she quickly took on the role of the underdog. She was criticized for being too short for a model, and at one point, was even told that she only had a pretty face with no talent. She emerged as the grand winner, proving her detractors wrong.
You have to believe in yourself so that others will believe in you.
In fact, whatever job it is, not just in modeling, if people are trying to pull you down, tell yourself that you deserve the spot you were given. Don鈥檛 let them convince you otherwise.
The half鈥慒ilipina model realized that jealousy and insecurity are the primary reasons for putting other people down, so one mustn鈥檛 succumb to the negativity.
It鈥檚 the crab mentality that people have. It鈥檚 like, if they can鈥檛 have it, you can鈥檛 have it.
Social media is an opportunity for business. Everyone鈥檚 on it.
To tell you the truth, I wasn鈥檛 expecting this at all,鈥 she admitted, referring to the interest the local talent agency showed to her.
Beauty is not only about the looks. It鈥檚 really about what鈥檚 within. Your personality, your beliefs, the way you carry yourself鈥 that鈥檚 beauty.
Sometimes people are too busy looking up to people that they forget what they love.
She continued that people should wear what they want to wear, and do things because they love it and not because they intend to be like others.
Style yourself appropriately. Don鈥檛 be too showy or too casual when at work, and stuff like that. Fashion is such a useful tool to help yourself find work, so always dress well or dress accordingly.
Don鈥檛 force yourself to be confident, it really takes time. Up until now, I admit, I鈥檓 still developing my confidence.
After all, it is when a person is comfortable with herself that she begins to shine.
