PETALING JAYA: Malaysian supermodel Vaniza Vasantana is following in the footsteps of actress Michelle Yeoh and singer-songwriter Yuna, who have earned international acclaim in their respective fields. It’s tan.
Standing at an impressive height of 1.81 meters, this local talent made history as the first Malaysian-Indian to grace the cover of Vogue magazine.
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Vaniza, who made her debut in the October issue of Vogue Singapore with Indonesian model Rizal Lama, attracts people with her presence.
By stepping up the fashion ladder, she joins the illustrious ranks of fashion legends Naomi Campbell and Kate Moss who have graced the pages of the iconic magazine.
Shortly after the Vogue cover surfaced on social media, Vaniza gave an interview to FMT Lifestyle and admitted that she couldn’t believe it at first when she was informed that she had been selected.
“When I got the email about the Vogue cover, I thought it was a scam,” she says with a laugh, adding that she only got excited when she booked a flight to Singapore. “So, I get it, I get it, that’s what’s happening!”
Vaniza, 30, is no stranger to international recognition, making waves with her debut at Milan Fashion Week in 2022 and gracing billboards around the world in Sephora’s international beauty campaign in 2019.
Vaniza approaches every project with the same determination and hard work, but admits that the Vogue cover shoot holds a particularly special place in her heart.
“From the day I started modeling, I always thought, ‘I want to do this for the people.’ I want to represent my country,” she said.
Vaniza’s journey is a clear example of how modeling goes beyond just looks and leaves a lasting impact on her life.
“Growing up, I never had any self-confidence in myself. Regardless of my skin color or my height, I always thought that fair skin was beautiful.” That’s what society has taught us,” she added.
“But becoming a model changed my life. It changed the way I saw myself.”
Now renowned for her lush skin, Vaniza is a rare presence in the Southeast Asian modeling world, actively challenging norms and reshaping modern beauty standards.
A journey that began eight years ago, Vanizha’s story is like a scene from a movie.
She recalls: She said: “When I was in college, a fashion student asked me to model for her project. At first I was confused, wondering what she saw in me. ”
However, it was during that university fashion show that a photographer discovered young Vaniza and later introduced her to the world of modeling.
From that point on, Vaniza fully embraced modeling at the age of 21 and there was no turning back. And what surprised her the most was the reaction of her parents when she told them this news.
“I come from a very traditional Asian family, so I was surprised that my parents were so supportive of my career choice right away,” she recalled.
And their support has not wavered to this day.
“My father wakes up early in the morning, sometimes as early as 4 a.m., prepares breakfast for me and drives me to castings and filming locations,” she said with a smile.
While her first steps into the industry may have been a blessing in disguise, her current success is largely due to her continued efforts in an industry filled with challenges.
“I remember when I was in Milan, I was comparing myself to all the other models. Some were taller, some were slimmer. I actually went back to my apartment and cried for a while,” she says. Told.
But the trailblazer revealed that what keeps her going is knowing the impact she’s having on people in her own small way.
In fact, Vanizha still remembers one touching message she received when the Sephora campaign was launched. “One girl messaged me and said, ‘Finally, someone who looks like me is on her billboard,'” she recalled.
The supermodel stressed that even though these words came from a complete stranger, they had a deep meaning for her. “When I was at the lowest point in my life, this kept me going. That’s why I put 101% into modeling and I plan to continue to do so for as long as I can.”
Vogue Singapore’s 10th anniversary ‘Voices’ issue featuring Vanizha Vasanthanathan is on sale now online.
Follow Vanizha Vasanthanathan Instagram.
