@modelsdot This week’s #MDCSelects stand out with their passions to become models 📸 #newfaces #modelsdot #modelsdotcom #fyp #mdc ♬ Todo De Ti – Rauw Alejandro
Joakim
Who:
Joakim Gjemmestad (@joakimgjemmestad) — 191 cm / 6’3″ — Norwegian/Cambodian from Phnom Penh, Cambodia — born June 19th — he/she/they.
Where:
Chapter Management (London – mother agency), HEROES Model Management (New York)
— An issue or cause you are passionate about:
This is a big one because for me it’s human rights. It’s such a big umbrella that so many issues fall under, the right to food, the right to shelter, and the right to a safe and healthy world for our future and children. To me, climate change falls under this umbrella as well because this generation has the right to have a say in what the world is going to look for like for us, our future kids, and grandkids.
— One thing people may be surprised to find out about you:
I’m gay… just kidding, that’s obvious. I think something people find surprising about me is that I loveee to be alone. I like to eat out alone, go to the movies by myself, etc. I am grateful for that time because I am able to reserve my energy for myself and that way I’m more in tune with what’s going on in my life. It’s my time to reflect and analyze who I am, my work, and my relationships.
— How did you become a model?
My agents scouted me on Instagram while I was on the other side of the world, in Cambodia. I was a little wary at first, thinking that they were scammers or something. Then we just had a bunch of Zoom meetings and I started to feel confident in their ability to carry me in this industry. I flew all the way to Europe for a debut in the Louis Vuitton show, and the rest is history.
Kaimin
Who:
Kaimin Hu (@hukaimin1011) — 177 cm / 5’9.5″ — Chinese from Jieyang, China — born February 22nd — she/her.
Where:
SMG MODEL MANAGEMENT (Guangzhou – mother agency)
— Who is your favorite entertainer?
Liu Wen. When I watched her talk about her past, I thought she was very strong and brave. There’s a magic about her that has always attracted me.
— How did you become a model?
My university major is modeling performance, and my mother agency comes to our school for scouting every semester. Luckily I was scouted by them last year, and now here I am!
— The most interesting thing about your family:
We often talk to each other at the dinner table and live an ordinary but full life. I think this is the most interesting thing about my family.
Muzybha
Who:
Muzybha Baruwa (@muzyba) — 189 cm / 6’2.5″ — Nigerian from Lagos, Nigeria — born July 10th — he/him.
Where:
MyBooker (Lagos – mother agency), PRM Agency (London)
— What are three interesting facts about you?
I sing and rap, I am a Manchester United supporter and I collect fossils!
— What’s a story your family/friends like to tell about you?
My dad would always tell the story of how I ordered amala (Nigerian food) at McDonald’s when I was 5, and wouldn’t take no for an answer. It is actually a really funny story when my dad tells it!
— Who is your favorite entertainer?
It has to be Burna Boy. Burna Boy is like an idol for me, I love his music and his story and I relate to him sharing our homeland. It’s so great to see the positive way he promoted Afro music.
Ruijin
Who:
Ruijin Zheng (@cn_ari) — 186 cm / 6’1″ — Chinese from Zhejiang, China — born November 14th — he/him.
Where:
Paras Talent Management (Shanghai – mother agency), The Face (Paris), Independent Model Management (Milan)
— Who is your favorite entertainer?
X Japan, to me, is Japan’s biggest, loudest, greatest rock band of all time. The speed metal group, famed for their visual kei aesthetic, is Japan’s very own Nirvana. Unlike, say, “Babymetal”, their glorious sound is tinged with tragedy. They’ve truly lived out the hunger for life and passions that many people can never release in a lifetime. I admire their spirit and their love for life; I believe it’s their infectious fervor that changes many people. Even though visual rock is slowly declining, X Japan will always be the best band in the Showa era!
— What are three interesting facts about you?
1. I “believe” I’ve always been a bit socially phobic ever since I was little. However, modeling is like a work of art that really fascinates me, as in I’m impersonating all my words into physics if that makes sense.
2. I remembered drowning in a 3 feet tall river. I was 12 and the water level was way below my chest. I didn’t know how to swim.
3. This leads to the next fun fact: Since I didn’t know how to swim, I somehow decided to run onto a broken bridge when there was a serious flood going on in our city.
— What’s a story your family/friends like to tell about you?
That Ruijin is a very indifferent person; unique but elegant, like a scent of perfume you’ve never smelled before.
Sofiia
Who:
Sofiia Rydvanska (@rydvanskas) — 178 cm / 5’10” — Ukrainian from Szczecin, Poland — born June 15th — she/her.
Where:
Neva Models (Szczecin – mother agency), Le Bureau Booking (Paris)
— One thing people may be surprised to find out about you:
I am very interested in the subject of crime, detectives, murders and investigations. I am very interested in logic and what motivates people to commit a serious attack.
— How did you become a model?
It happened a little spontaneously: I could not fall asleep because I had insomnia, and I decided to look at modeling agencies in my city, and I decided to just send my profile without hoping for anything. I was very surprised and was glad when in the morning I got a call and was invited to a casting!
— What’s your most prized possession and why?
For me, the most valuable thing is the family, and my close friends, because they are always there, always help in difficult times, and always support me in all endeavors and I will never have anyone closer to them. Also for me is very valuable loyalty and truth.
Xavier
Who:
Xavier Marrero-English (@xavier_spanish) — 188 cm / 6’2″ — American from Chino Hills, California, USA — born March 4th — he/him.
Where:
Mondays Management (New York – mother agency)
— Who is someone you admire and why?
Indya Moore is a true humanitarian who deserves to be remembered. Not only is Indya an amazing actress but the work they’ve done and are still doing for Queer and Trans people of color across America is incredible. They truly do the work that’s gonna help shape the generations that come after us to be better than we are.
— What’s your most prized possession and why?
One of my most prized possessions is my dad’s old mixing table. It’s an old Roland VS-880 loaded with what’s left of my dad’s music from back in the day. Me and my dad were never super close but I know it’s important to him for me to have it. To me, it’s a steady reminder to stay grounded in reality and to keep creating just like my dad.
— Who is your favorite entertainer?
My favorite entertainer is Yves Tumor. They aren’t afraid to look or sound different while still proudly being a black man. It’s refreshing seeing an artist of color that doesn’t put themselves in a box creatively.