Danas je scena modelinga i zabave kompetitivnija nego ikad, preplavljena impresivnim talentima koji kombiniraju vještine glume, modelinga, pjevanja i plesa. Upravo zbog toga posebni su oni pojedinci koji se, unatoč toj konkurenciji, uspiju istaknuti svojim radom – a jedna od njih je upravo Alana Monteiro

Ova međunarodno prepoznata manekenka našla se na listama top modela zajedno s imenima poput Naomi Campbell i Tyre Banks. Njezini su editorijali objavljivani u najvećim svjetskim modnim magazinima, a surađivala je s vodećim brendovima kao što su Revlon, Bobbi Brown, NARS, L’Oréal Paris, MAC Cosmetics, Nike, Puma, GAP i drugi.

Osim kao manekenka, Alana djeluje i kao kantautorica, glumica i plesačica. Kako izgleda umjetnički svijet mlade manekenke koja se u proteklih deset godina profilirala u jedno od najzanimljivijih imena industrije?

Kada ste prvi put zakoračili u svijet modelinga, što vas je najviše iznenadilo u usporedbi s time kako se industrija obično prikazuje?

Najviše me iznenadilo koliko se razlikuje od glamurozne slike koju ljudi obično vide. Kad sam prvi put zakoračila u industriju, nije bilo ni malo glamurozno – bilo je puno napornog rada, stalnih odbijanja i čekanja.

Imate snažnu prisutnost na društvenim mrežama – koliko to doprinosi vašim profesionalnim prilikama? Koliko je danas važna prisutnost na društvenim mrežama kada je riječ o izgradnji vlastitog brenda i imena?

Hvala. Mislim da društvene mreže igraju veliku ulogu u mojim prilikama jer mi omogućuju da direktno pokažem svoj rad. Objavljivanjem moj rad postaje vidljiviji, što vodi do novih kontakata i više poslova. Definitivno je veliki dio izgradnje brenda danas.


Već 10 godina ste u industriji. Što se promijenilo u usporedbi s vašim početnim danima? Kako se industrija razvila i kako ste se vi prilagodili tim promjenama

Kad sam počela 2015. prije COVID-a, svaki casting i audicija bili su uživo. Sjećam se da bih bila vani od 8 ujutro do 8 navečer, trčala po gradu, putovala vlakom s jednog castinga na drugi. Ponekad smo imali i 10 audicija u jednom danu. Nakon COVID-a, sve se promijenilo. Castinzi uživo postali su rijetki, a većina stvari preselila se na self-tape. Sada možete imati audiciju direktno s telefona, iz bilo kojeg dijela svijeta. I gluma funkcionira na isti način. Industrija se tehnološki jako razvila, a postala je i mnogo raznolikija. Definitivno sam se prilagodila jer se moraš prilagoditi ako želiš ostati u igri.

Također radite u glumi i glazbi. Kako zamišljate svoju karijeru u tom smislu u nadolazećim godinama? Što biste željeli postići?

Voljela bih dobiti više filmskih projekata, objaviti više singlova i na kraju stvoriti cijeli album. Stvarno želim spojiti glumu i glazbu – glazbeni mjuzikl ili čak Broadway show jednog dana bio bi san. Filmovi poput Wicked me jako inspiriraju.

Sjećate li se posebnog modnog trenutka, kampanje ili iskustva koje vas je obilježilo i nadahnulo da krenete ovim putem?

Definitivno. Gledanje Victoria’s Secret Fashion Showa kada mi je bilo 17 godina me inspiriralo. Sjećam se da sam mislila: „Tko su ti ljudi i kako oni to rade?“. Taj trenutak me potaknuo da istražujem agencije i saznam kako se potpisati u New Yorku.

Jeste li tijekom karijere upoznali kolege koji su na vas ostavili značajan utjecaj? Tko bi to bio?

Upoznavanje Marka Wahlberga na mom prvom filmskom setu bilo je nevjerojatno inspirativno; dao mi je sjajne savjete o glumi koje i danas pamtim. A upoznavanje Naomi Campbell rano u karijeri bilo je nezaboravno. Zapravo sam je pitala je li ona Naomi jer nisam mogla vjerovati da smo same u istoj sobi. Prvo što me pitala bilo je jesam li model, i to mi je puno značilo jer su mi tada moji agenti stalno govorili da nisam “fashion” model. Čuti to od nje dalo mi je ogroman poticaj samopouzdanja. Nedugo nakon toga, napustila sam te agente i pronašla nove koji su me vidjeli kao “fashion” modela.

Kako se nosite s pritiskom, odbijanjima i nesigurnostima koji često prate modeling?

Iskreno, više me ne smeta. Odbijena sam milijun puta i naučila sam da je sve stvar vremena. Ono što je za mene, doći će. Moja vjera i ustrajnost me drže prizemljenom.

Kako gledate na nedavne promjene prema inkluzivnosti i raznolikosti u modnoj industriji? Smatrate li da je napredak stvaran ili više površinski?

Mislim da je napredak nevjerojatan i definitivno vidim raznolikiju industriju. Promjena se čini stvarnom. Svatko bi trebao biti prihvaćen bez obzira na rasu, spol, visinu, težinu ili bilo što drugo. Sada postoji mjesto za svaku vrstu osobe i tako bi trebalo biti.

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ENGLISH VERSION

Today, the modeling and entertainment scene is more competitive than ever, flooded with impressive talents who combine skills in acting, modeling, singing, and dancing. That’s why those individuals who manage to stand out despite the competition are truly special – and one of them is Alana Monteiro

This internationally recognized model has appeared on top model lists alongside names like Naomi Campbell and Tyra Banks. Her editorials have been featured in the world’s leading fashion magazines, and she has collaborated with major brands such as Revlon, Bobbi Brown, NARS, L’Oréal Paris, MAC Cosmetics, Nike, Puma, GAP, and more.

In addition to modeling, Alana also works as a singer-songwriter, actress, and dancer. What does the artistic world look like for this young model who, over the past ten years, has established herself as one of the most exciting names in the industry?

When you first stepped into the world of modeling, what surprised you the most compared to how the industry is usually portrayed?

What surprised me most was how different it is from the glamorous image people usually see. When I first stepped into the industry, it wasn’t glamorous at all it was a lot of hard work, constant rejection, and a whole lot of waiting.

You have a strong presence on social media—how much does that contribute to your professional opportunities? How important is social media presence today when it comes to building yourself as a brand and a name?

Thank you. I think social media plays a huge role in my opportunities because it allows me to showcase my work directly. By posting, my work becomes more visible, which leads to new connections and more jobs. It’s definitely a big part of building a brand today.

You’ve been in the industry for 10 years now. What has changed compared to your early days? How has the industry evolved, and how have you changed with it?

When I first started in 2015 before COVID every casting and audition was in person. I remember being out from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., running around the city, taking trains to casting after casting. Sometimes we’d have 10 in one day. After COVID, everything shifted. In-person castings became rare, and most things moved to self-tapes. Now you can audition right from your phone, from anywhere in the world. Acting works the same way. The industry has evolved a lot technologically, and it’s also become much more diverse. I’ve definitely adapted because you kind of have to if you want to stay in the game.

You also work in acting and music. How do you envision your career in that sense in the coming years? What would you like to achieve?

I’d love to book more film projects, release more singles, and eventually create a full album. I really want to merge both acting and music doing a musical or even a Broadway show one day would be a dream. Movies like Wicked really inspire me.

Do you remember a particular fashion moment, campaign, or experience that marked you and inspired you to pursue this path?

Definitely. Watching the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show when I was 17 inspired me. I remember thinking, “Who are these people and how do they get to do that?” That moment pushed me to research agencies and figure out how to get signed in New York.

Have you met colleagues during your career who left a significant impact on you? Who would that be?

Meeting Mark Wahlberg on my first movie set was incredibly inspiring, he gave me great acting advice that I still remember.
And meeting Naomi Campbell early in my career was unforgettable. I actually asked her if she was Naomi because I couldn’t believe we were alone in the same room. The first thing she asked me was if I was a model, and that meant so much because at the time my agents kept telling me I wasn’t a fashion model. Hearing that from her gave me a huge confidence boost. Not long after, I left those agents and found new ones who saw me as fashion.

How do you deal with the pressure, rejection, and uncertainty that often come with modeling?

It honestly doesn’t bother me much anymore. I’ve been rejected a million times, and I’ve learned that it’s just about timing. What’s meant for me will come. My faith and perseverance keep me grounded.

How do you view the recent shifts toward inclusivity and diversity in the fashion industry? Do you feel the progress is real or more superficial?

I think the progress is amazing, and I definitely see a more diverse industry. The change feels real. Everyone should be accepted regardless of race, gender, height, weight, anything. There’s a place for every type of person now, and that’s how it should be.

 

Team Credits:

Model: Alana Monteiro

Photographer: Lindsey Sweeney

Styling: Brianna Moon

Hair: Lori Gomes

Makeup: Jazmin Fernandez

Manicurist: Hanh Phan

Venue: Olio