YOURSELF TODAY
Q: How do you manage to juggle being a full-time mother with the demands of your business, and commitments as a judge and trainer?
A: My children are my first priority. I want to be there for them and be their friend, watch them go through life and see them set goals for themselves, and never get caught up in a mundane routine.
I take my professional responsibilities very seriously
– but always ensure that I balance things so that my children come first.
Q: Tell us about your work as a trainer and judge. Why is finding the right representative for these competitions so important?
A: I am a judge, trainer and motivational speaker. I focus on mental and physical preparation, personality development and deportment. I also emphasise the need to know a lot about our country. The chosen candidate is representing Sri Lanka – her women, people and culture; so if the island is portrayed poorly, then it reflects badly on the nation.
Q: What has changed from the time you were a participant in competitions of this nature?
A: These days, many organisers are in it only for the profit; it’s about sponsorships and profit margins. They then abandon the winner once the local contest is over.
But continuous support for the winner is essential.
I believe pageant organisers should be regulated and the Ministry of Tourism should know what these pageants are about, and see that the organisers support the winners throughout the international competition.
Q: So what’s your advice to those who want to pursue a career in modelling?
A: You need to practise professionalism; have a purpose and passion for it. You need to learn to showcase the designs and not yourself. You also need to have a professional portfolio and change your look once in six months. And you must learn how to be independent – and know how to do your own hair and makeup.
Q: And what are the most challenging aspects of these two fields?
A: With modelling, it still isn’t lucrative enough to become a full-time career. You don’t make enough to maintain the necessary standards. With beauty pageants, winners don’t receive sufficient support after the local contest. Both industries should be more supportive because it’s all interrelated.