AN Interview With A Young Model That Started Modeling At 15

An interview with a young model based in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. I was impressed by her courage and inspiration!

• Can You Tell Us About Yourself?

My name is Christiana Nimi Ngiangia. I was born on the 25th October, 1997. Am an upcoming Nigerian model and am also a beauty queen. I am also an inspiring actress and a presenter. I started

my modeling career at the of 15years when i won my first pageant in my secondary school education as the most beautiful girl in Randolph 2012/2013 session. I became the face of my school's billboard advert placement.

• Early Life

Nimi was born and raised in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. She is the daughter of late Mrs Augusta P.B Briggs who was an entrepreneur and a lover of fashion and her father Mr. Nimi Felix Ngiangi, a transporter. Her family roots are in Tombia Kingdom and Abonnema all in Rivers State, the southern part of Nigeria. In 2007, when she was 10years her mother died from a severe illness. Nimi attended Faith Baptist Nursery and Primary school and graduated in 2013 from Randolph Comprehensive College Campus 2, in Port Harcourt. Nimi also claimed that her mother's great love for pictures influenced her love for modeling. She says her attitude towards taking pictures was kindled by her mum

• You Are A Student, How Did You Get Involved In Modeling And Talk Show?

I got a platform in the month of May at Rivers State Art talent hunt search in Port Harcourt. During one of the auditioning exercise, a member of the panel of judges Mrs Phina Ofure Owobu Akhimien saw the

skill of being a presenter in me. I came for modeling auditioning but was advised also to take presenting alongside. I went for a one week thorough but intensive training on TV presentation. After that my first opportunity to present was in Nimi and Emeka's TV Talk show which was Co-hosted with Emeka Nwabaracha.

• After Graduation, Do You Want To Take Modeling Professional?

Yes, I really will take modeling professional. I will introduce anothe angle of modeling as i grow in the industry. I am aiming for the top that's non-negotiable. To become a professional model where i can represent my country internationally, this is one of my big dreams that i must achieve.

• Can You Share Some Of Your Modeling Pictures And The Companies You've Modeled For?

Am still growing and developing myself, I do more of freelancing right now but i have worked with Favour Benjamin Photography, Lala, Fashion & Design, Perfect Touch Makeover.

• Can You Share Some Of The Problems You Encountered During Your Early Stage?

I faced a whole lot of challenges especially from my family. Firstly,  my family believed that modeling will be a big distraction for me as a student and all was done by them to ensure i don't go into modeling. Secondly, my friends also mocked me because they felt i didn't have the height and the body size for it. Thirdly, I had to battle with graduating from secondary school with good grades, my age was also a concern too. In Nigeria, we do not have very young models from ages 12years to 16years who are doing very well in modeling and making it big as a career path. Right now things have changed a lot in the modeling industry because a lot of agencies like Elite model, Look Nigeria, Nigerian Top Model etc are now working hand in hand with these  Teenage model bringing them closer to their dreams. I was about 15years to 16years old when i started modeling. I had no support, no encouragement, but something kept me going, i had passion and i believed in myself. I believed it was a gift  and i believed in the gift. Today, i have all the support, i need from both my family, friends who mocked me and tried to stop me. My beginning wasn't a pleaseant experienced at all, I cried at times because of rejection but am out of that season.

• People Are Scared Of Going Into Modeling Because They Are Always Asked To Model Naked, What Is Your Take On This Issue?

There's a popular saying that state that if you don't know where you are going every road becomes an option. It applies to everything you o in life. Know what you want. Nobody will drag you into doing what you don't want to do. Nudity to you may be indecent but some other model its an opportunity to rise to stardom. Know who you are, do what you will be pround of, don't make your decision based on people's opinion. You must learn to have a good esteem for yourself, success isn't easy: You may face rejection because of your choicefor the type of modeling line you have chosen to you, it may not pay off immediately but some day it will pay off. Don't compromise your integrity, set a standard and be a role model for other upcoming model to follow.

• Do You Think Young Models In Nigeria Are Receiving Enough Support?

Speaking with a model friend in Paris, sometime ago, she gave me her candid opinion about modeling in Nigeria. She says modeling in Nigeria is really difficult and that it takes so much from you before you can get to the level where you become an international model. I strongly agree with her because there are many modling agencies springing up every day and majority of them are just there for business. They use young girls to axhieve their own selfish desires. Also the rate at which ladies wants to go into modeling is so alarming. Most of them go to any length just to ensure that they become one and thus have given the profession.a wrong tag. Modeling in Nigeria is almost synonymous to prostitution in the mind set of most Nigerians.

• How Important Is Mentoring To You?

Ooh! Very important. Mentoring is what has brought me to this point. It really has shaped me. I took it so serious that i have different mentors, Spiritual, Financial, Career, etc according to their strength. When things are not working out for you mentors are there to encourage you, discipline you especially when you are wrong. It's really necessary because it helps you in your building process as a great person. Although there are times mentorship   can really be tough and demanding because certain decisions you want to make you can't make them without telling your mentor. Mentors push mentee's to being a better in their career path.

• What Advice Can You Give An Upcoming Model?

I want every upcoming female model to know that first thing she needs to have is Faith in herself. You need to love what you do and believe in it. Also you must trust God too, have a vision of where you are heading to, set your standards and stick to it. Don't stop learning, develop yourself, don't allow yourself esteem to dwindle because of your body weight and height. Have a strong burning passion for what you do and lastly, dream big and dare to be different.

• What Excites You The Most In Modeling?

What gets me intrigues about modeling remains my passion for it, it is what i love. The creative postures for shots, the outcome from each shot and the good cheeer responses i get from people that get to see the work.

• Have You ever had The Fear Of Failing?

Yes I have, severally. The realities of life have made me understand that the fear of failure put me under pressure so i try to focus my mind on not falling rather giving my best at all times.

•  How Do You Balance Education, Modeling And Personal Life?

Honestly, it has not been an easy road. The value of education its purpose is what has held me together. This is the point where mentors come in, my associate in business and i have good understanding that i am a student and there's a limit i can go most especially if it clashes with my school activities.

• In Two Words Explain Your Talk Show For Us

Educative and Informative.