Annette Cookey is an actress, a make-up artiste and a physiologist who graduated from the University of Port Harcourt. She was the fourth runner-up in the MTN Project Fame. Annette loves fashion with a passion hence her choice of modelling as a career. She has tried to correct the impression people have about models in this interview with Adaeze Amos.
How are you able to do a whole lot at the same time?
Yes, because I have passion for a whole lot. First of all, I studied Physiology at the University of Port Harcourt. When I graduated, I started as a make-up artiste because I had and still have passion for make-up. Later, I switched over to modelling. My statistics are superb for that and modelling has always been what I had longed for right from when I was a child. I wasn't just satisfied with that. I later became a singer and an actress. I have performed in many music shows and featured in several movies.
It hurts me that modelling is not yet organized. For now, there is nothing like having a president in the modelling world. Models have not organised their sector just like musicians and actors have done. This does not make me happy at all because that is why till date, models are not taken seriously. If we can tidy this industry, we would go places.
You called it an industry?
Yes, it is. Is it because some girls who are not groomed would wake up one day and say they are models? It is of course an industry. When you travel abroad, you would bear with me that it is an industry where it is divided into different sections. For instance, there are runway models, lifestyle models, nail polish models, foot models, portrait models, just name it. Models capitalise on their strong points. But it's a pity that in Nigeria, it is not like that for now. There is even no proper orientation for the modelling industry. No proper infrastructure to groom models. Most models don't even know how to treat themselves with respect. Some don't know what to do to look good. Others are not aware that modelling is not only meant for skinny girls. There are some jobs and styles that plump models are expected to do.
As a model who had toured several continents what, in your views, do our youths stand to benefit from modelling as a career?
Modelling has created jobs for youths. Good looks and good body frame have been put to good use. It has given rise to modelling agencies who make efforts to train their models and go the extra miles to get jobs for them. That was what my modelling agency did for me. I must give kudos to them because it is exceptional. The boss of this agency, Ken Kool, is vast and he cares for his models and ensures they deliver. Also, modelling aids photography. We have professional photographers who are good in taking hot shots for models. There are also costumiers, make-up artistes and a whole lot of them where jobs are created as a result of modelling. Indeed, it has created jobs for youths. You don't have to sit idle, all hands are on deck and there is no room for joblessness in the modelling world.
What inspires your style?
What I bear in mind when dressing. What I understand style to mean is what fits your body frame, bearing in mind the weather. What I mean is that it is not good to cover up too much when the weather is hot. I don't show too much of flesh. I don't dress provocatively. It's true that I'm busty but I try to dress well.
Some people think most models are prostitutes, how right is this?
Wrong! Models are not prostitutes; we don't sleep around. Rather, models are open to new trends, they are stylish and modest. Models are the most self-confident set of human beings. They hold their shoulders high. In auditions, for instance, you see every model holding her shoulders high. Nobody wants to be intimidated by the next model. They don't fool around and they can't be seen sleeping around. Most importantly, models keep to time. They are time-conscious. Just call them for auditions, no matter the distance or the location, they will be there at the right time. I'm talking about professional models.
Is your mum in support of your modelling career?
Oh sure! My mum is a fashionista. I was raised by my mum who is a single parent, and she has always been supportive of my modelling career. She encourages me a whole lot. There was a time she encouraged me to enrol in Big Brother Africa. What are your beauty rituals? I drink a lot of water. Water is life. I eat right and I don't joke with my exercises. I don't relent on my situps and I have never tried sleeping with my make-up on. I can't step out without my sun screen.
What do you do to unwind?
I read books. I love to sleep. I eat in bits. I listen to music, basically Nigerian music.
What are the qualities of your ideal man?
He must be tall, dark and handsome. He has to be supportive, caring, God-fearing and soft - soft because I'm hard, troublesome and heady. My ideal man has to be the opposite, and thank God I have one already.
The first time you had a heart break, how did you wriggle out of it?
Thank God I have never experienced it before. I'm fortunate. I used to break men's hearts but now I have changed. I'm more mature.
Interview by Adaeze Amos 16/09/2012 00:51:00
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