Tulie Naomi a young Gay model, talent scouter, modeling instructor talks to us about his journey as he breaks norms of the odd.
"I grew up in Mdantsane township in the Eastern Cape. I always knew from a young age that I was different, gay so to speak which was still seen as a barbaric taboo of a white man disease, and deemed as un-African hence therefore it was bittersweet for my father to accept me, but my mother and the external family gave me all their support and live kror me all strong.
...I hail from a huge family the Vulli's and the Kwetana's. They made sure I am happy and comfortable within myself to be able to face the world.
Support from my closely knitted community also supported me even through struggles, some lacking knowledge and understanding of my sexual orientation. I discovered so much within myself which was modeling and then I took to breaking odds by entering local completions.
At the tender age of ten years I received help from a talent scout Zodwa Maweni who saw immense potential in me and the winning ability I horned within myself.
My first modeling competition I remember vividly was miss Junior nu6 and outstanding so I went as far as top5 though I never won.
It took so much lessons from then as I won, it was 1999 my first ever victory pageant. It was Miss Fanti Gaqa Senior Primary School my second being Miss Freshet in Byllets combined school in Cintsa which was the year of 2000.
Believe me when I'm telling you that in all the competitions I entered I was the only Drag Queen among a crowd of girls. I then took to my other competition and was crowned as Miss Mdantsane 2006, I then took venture into miss Gay competitions which was in Cape Town. I won and was crowned Miss Khayelitsha and I was the new face of Triangle Gay Project. Miss Gay Khayelitsha took me on a journey where I was Black Diva Top15 and 10.
As very young as I was I made my mark on the runways, partaked in huge projects and fashion show, Canoe Town fashion show, Durban fashion show and my ever big Jo'burg Fashion Week where I really felt like a princess as prestigious as it was, I wore Noni Gasa, shared runways with the great likes of Babalwa Mneno. I was the only gay contestant amongst top female modeling queens of the industry.
I love modeling to the max, my inspiration comes from these three women, Felicia Villi, Fiona Liba and Zodwa Maweni from my family.
I am currently involved in vast projects in the community and work with Siyasanga Zwakala, I am modeling instructor, director and manage Mdsntsane models.
I see myself growing beyond here and in two years I would love to host a fashion show featuring talented inspiring models." Said Tulie
The world is an oyster and you can archive anything you put your mind to with hunger and determination.
Point of Fashion©
