Urban World

Model Focus: Madeleine Glatz

UrbanWorld had the immense privilege of interview the loving and super talent Madeleine Glatz. French speaking model born in Cameroon, and raised in France, she is the current reigning Miss West Africa UK. This is quite an achievement considering this was her first year as a model and her first modelling competition of any sort.

We meet in a café in Old Street, Madeleine was sat in corner with a coffee in her hand waiting for me. She even had a black coffee sat there for me.

Height: 5”11, Age: 23

UB: So what got you started as a model?

MG: I thought I would just give it a try and see what happened.

UB: How you find modelling?

MG: I love the experience and I did it for the experience.

UB: Do you know what the modelling world is like?

MG: I done 2 catwalk shows so far and I understand that there different areas of modelling. There is catwalk, covergirl, and catalogue. I want to try them all. I find in London that it is very easy to be a model, as opposed to France. More opportunities in London to a model as people are more open-minded.

UB: Okay, Speaking of France, did you grow up in France?

MG: I lived in Cameroon until I was 5 age old and moved to France.

UB: When did you come to London, then?

MG: I moved to London in 2009.

UB: So when exactly did you start modelling?

MG: I started model in September 2010

UB: In terms of modelling where you see yourself, what sector?

MG: I like catwalk because of the intensity of it. I love doing photoshoots coz u can be anything. But I just discovering the model world so I want to try everything and do as much as I can.  If I had to decide, I would love to be a commercial model.

UB: Where do you see modelling taking you?

MG: I really don’t know, I’m just starting out. So you know where my career will take me. I’m keeping an open mind about things.

UB: Are you signed to any agencies?

MG: Yes, after winning Miss West Africa, I got signed to Confidence Models.

UB: Apart from Modelling what else do you do?

MG: I’m involved in charity works and humanitarian events. I really want to do some for the kids and help promote beauty awareness in women, particularly Black women.

 

UB: Okay so is letting Black Women know how beautiful they are something that’s important to you?

MG: Yes, coz if I can I make a young feel comfortable about herself and her skin, that would be a great achievement for me.

UB: If you woke up one day and decided you didn’t want to be a model anymore what would you do instead?

MG: I’m not that kind of person, if I don’t like something I don’t like it from the start. Or if you push me in a direction I don’t feel comfortable heading, then I would say stop.

UB: Who inspires you?

MG: My mum and dad first of all, Alex Wek, people say I look like her but I don’t think so.. Naomi Campbell of course.  Mainly my parents.

UB: How do you parents feel about you being a model?

MG: They are proud… they don’t really know much about it. But when I told my mum I won Miss West Africa UK, she was happy and said to send a picture for my grandmother.

UB: Would you think about been a model in France?

MG: No, in France is harder, I never considered modelling in France.. less opportunities. A lot in London.

UB: What does your reign as Miss West Africa UK entail?

MG: I would love to raise a lot of money for African kids and orphans, give them a better quality of live.  I was adopted at the age of 5, so I would be able to give some other kid the same opportunity as me.

http://www.womenofafrika.org/

Raising the profile of African women for international recognition and empowerment.