Don’t mistake her beauty for being fragile, Deborah has
continued to defy the odds to keep alive her primary dream of
becoming one of the most sought after fitness models.

‘It has been a rough and interesting journey. It’s one in which I have no regrets. I’m determined, I have always wanted to push my dreams and here I am’ – Deborah Giwa

For several nights, she goes to bed with pains and bruises that come with her workout sessions in the city of Ibadan, but despite the fact that nagging questions sometimes keeps her up late at night, she always finds comfort knowing that she’s getting closer to her breakthrough with every
passing day. Whenever her phone rings and there’s a call for an audition or a photo session, she moves mountains to source for transport fare to
head to Lagos to keep the date. In a world where situations are
constantly forcing young folks to throw in the towel, meeting someone as determined as this lady is inspiring. With an acquired knowledge in
Auxiliary Nursing, a burning desire to also become a Nollywood hottie, this student of Hospitality Management in Yabatech is a special breed.
I recently had a conversation with her to understand how she keeps her fire burning.

Kindly describe in details how you got inspired to chase a career as a fitness model?

I have always loved watching movies since I was little till now. I
was watching a movie early 2016 and saw a lady that inspired me to choose a career as a fitness model. From that moment, I started to
push myself to the limit to achieve that goal. It has been a rough and interesting journey. It’s one in which I have no regrets. I’m determined, I have always wanted to push my dreams and here I am. My journey so far into the modeling world has really been great. It’s not been easy though but trust me it’s been worth it. I had dreams and it feels so good when your dreams start coming true. So many people tried discouraging me but it’s what I’ve always wanted to do, I’ve
been able to work with some of the best photographers and MUAs in the industry and it feels great.

What progress has been made and what setbacks have you been faced with thus far?

Progress? I’ve been able to work with some of the best photographers and MUAs in the industry, these are people that I never thought I was going to meet because I just see them on social media and I admire their works. The likes of Photokulture, Libarty studios, and also MUAs like Casskoncept and BV Makeovers. I still hope to do more it’s just the beginning and I’m happy about it. Setbacks are mainly the financial aspect but God is in control! For someone that’s not Lagos based, most times I have to leave Ibadan where I’m based to come down to Lagos for shoots. I have to put up in friends’ places so it’ll be easier for me. No one said it was going to be easy; all they said was never give up.

Schooling and modeling, how have you been able to manage both?

It hasn’t been an easy thing; I have had really big issues with both. Managing early morning classes that also clash with early
morning shoot or auditions is bonkers. I believe there’s nothing that can’t be achieved if one is focused and determined about it.

What are your views of the industry today, and also what is your No-No and Yes-Yes about the industry?

The state of the industry nowadays is really encouraging and it gives lots of people opportunities to push their dreams. My NO-NO about
the industry is that models are not respected in the industry and that’s not really good to speak of. My YES-YES is that it’s giving lots of people opportunities to push their dreams if they are focused
and know what they want, they can achieve.

It seems you also plan to double as a hip-hop model/video vixen?

It’s one aspect of the industry I would love to give a try. Video
vixens are really important and strong people in the industry, I’m just going to say I will grab every opportunity I see to achieve that. To add to that, as a model I have always wanted to do something extraordinary from what others do. Since I was a child my friends always called me sexy tomboy and I have always wanted to do what fits me
best. Ladies like Bernice Burgos, Uchemba, Quihealth, and Mz Nyra inspire me too.

Tell us about yourself and how your folks and friends reacted to this career path?

Deborah Giwa is a twenty one year old working hard to make her dreams come true, a free-spirited girl who’s always having positive thinking about all things. A native of Ondo State, Owo to be precise, from a family of two children and I’m the only girl – the baby of the house.

Response from folks and friends, my family didn’t discourage me. My
mum and brother supported all through. There were times when I wouldn’t even have money to transport myself for shoots and they’d always come to my
rescue with transportation and feeding money. How friends
responded to me? Well, I am not one with lots of friends but the few I have continue to show me love by housing me when I am in Lagos. It’s only my mum’s sister that is not really in support. She keeps on complaining and saying I’m exposing my body and all – in Yoruba (lol)!! It’s one of those things.

Where do you see yourself in a few years from now?

In some years to come I see myself as a classy top model and I hope to make the modeling industry a much more appealing industry for generations to come.

– Sesan Adeniji

Culled from the latest edition of Mystreetz Magazine