IT’S down to three top contenders at the Asia’s Next Top Model Season 6 and one of them is the last Filipina standing: Adela-Mae Marshall.
“I’m really, really proud of myself,” she said excitedly in an interview. At the same time, though, Adela-Mae realizes that there is a lot of pressure on her to stay in the competition and see it through to the end. This, after fellow Filipina Jachin Manere was eliminated from the reality modeling show.
Adela-Mae has a strong resolve to win. “I hope that what the judges saw in me is the fact that I listen. Every time they give me criticism, I come back the next week and I try to show them that I’ve learned.”
“I think one of my edges is, I know that I’m not the typical model, I know that I’m not super matangkad or super payat, but I think that I have a really good attitude and approach to modeling. I think that I’m really game for anything.”
Asked how she feels when she hears people saying she is not Filipino enough, she says: “It hurts when they say that I’m not really Pinay enough. At the end of the day, my heart is Filipino.
“I wouldn’t have chosen to represent the Philippines if I didn’t feel strongly that this is the country that I love, that this is the country I identify with.”
She also referenced the controversy that Victoria’s Secret fashion show model Kelsey Merritt was dragged into recently, when she too was accused by followers of not being “Filipino” enough.
“I think people need to realize that you can be more than one nationality,” Adela-Mae says.
“The qualities that I have as a Filipina that I’m proud of are that I stand up for myself, I’m strong-minded and strong-willed. I think I’m hospitable, I like to help people.” Adela-Mae is resolved to do her best to win the competition, not only for herself and her country, but also to make the most of the platform that being an Asian Top Model brings. “With that following, I want to be a good role model to younger girls.”
Her advice to aspiring models? “To believe in yourself. Because in this industry, everybody tells you: ‘You’re not tall enough, you’re not skinny enough, you’re not this, you’re not that.’ You really have to know yourself first before you get into the [modeling] industry.”
Is Adela-Mae open to becoming a beauty queen in the future?
“I haven’t thought much about beauty pageants, but I don’t want to close any doors. I’m open to the idea but right now, I’m really focusing on modeling. I’d like to go as far as I can go. Maybe collaborate with brands. I’d like to be on the creative side also.” (Pep.ph)
