MEET MIRIAM ODEMBA, THE TANZANIAN BEAUTY WHO IS MAKING WAVES IN THE MODELING WORLD The Face of Tanzania
BY KATE WINGAR PHOTO CREDIT PARTICA
O ver the past few years, we’ve seen a surge in East African women pursuing and finding success in the modeling business. One name we have to thank for this is Miriam Odemba. By becoming the first Tanzanian to win an Elite Model contract and the first to win a title in a major beauty pageant, Miriam has ensured the country has become a modeling force to reckon with. Now living in Paris, Miriam Odemba spoke to Travelsmart’s Kate Wingar. Q. You emerged into the limelight very young. Is age important to have a successful career in modeling? A. I don’t think age is an important factor, but more of an attitude. My attitude is what got me ahead at a young age. Since
childhood, I have been strong and quite fearless. It’s about focus, and after that, anything is possible for those who believe. I came from a tough background, and nothing was given to me on a silver platter. I had to work hard. Nothing comes easy in life, but I always believe in myself and push myself to achieve what I want. Q. Is modeling difficult to get into? A. Modeling is a tough industry and can be depressing at times. For instance, you can have three big castings in a day, and you must be competitive and hard- working throughout the process. It can also get very personal, too, especially when casting agents may highlight bits about yourself that you don’t like. So you need to have a real passion for the industry. It’s not as easy as people think.
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