Also Journal

Also speaks to Thula Neka about the fine balance of modelling and mothering.

Tell us how you got into modelling?

Growing up in the townships of South Africa, I was always made fun of for looking different, being thinner than the average girl. People used to call me “model” but they didn’t mean it in a flattering way, like today. They were insinuating that I was underfed and didn’t have womanly features like curves and breasts. 

Then when I moved to Denmark a photographer called Henrik Adamsen saw a picture of me on Facebook and he sent me a message asking me to do a test shoot with him. My Danish boyfriend at the time was against the idea but one night while he was asleep I sneaked out and met with Henrik. He took some pictures of me and the next day I was signed with a modelling agency in Copenhagen. 

Has becoming a mother changed your attitude to your work and the industry?

Definitely.  When I had my daughter 6 years ago, I started to see how being a model, especially as a woman, can really play with your insecurities. You work with your body and your personality and you can’t be everyone’s cup of tea. It can be very harsh. That is why I wouldn’t recommend my daughter to become a model. 

However, having my son 8 months ago made me see how this is just a business. It is what I do, not who I am. I am working harder to create a balance of the two. I look at myself now as a performer, as an artist and I start to appreciate my achievements more. I can see that I am one of the lucky ones who continues to work even though I have the children. 

How do you relax/find time for yourself?

This is a really tough one. On jobs I work with my body and personality and I have to be very present and entertaining so rest is very important. Sleep is very important. Especially since I have to take my son with me on jobs, country to country, I only get to relax when he is sleeping at night. So I have to plan to rest just like I have to plan everything else. For example, on Thursday I have a day off so I must rest. This means creating tough boundaries for everyone else because I still have my son the whole time and relaxing is on his terms. I am lucky that I co-parent with the father of my daughter, that way I don’t have them both together all the time. It makes it easier. 

At Also we want to celebrate creative women leading complex lives – do you identify with this? 

Yes I do. I have two kids with different dads and I work as a full time model in foreign countries where the system and values are different from how I was raised. And what makes it harder is that I don’t have my family with me, they are still living in South Africa. 

I also have to stand firm to reject the stereotypes and stigma of being a model as most people don’t take it seriously until they see a big billboard of you or a magazine cover but then they think you are rich and famous!! It is a constant battle to prove yourself.