From runways, winning pageantry, modeling for top local and international brands, Sonia Praise Ben-Woko has indeed done so well for herself. Kicking off about a decade ago, she has grown through the ranks of modeling and taken her brand mainstream by representing Nigeria globally. In 2019, Sonia won the Miss Ideal Nigeria pageant, which further solidified her stand as a top notch model. She talks to Tosin Clegg about rising through the ranks of modeling, her challenges, winning Miss Ideal Nigeria, life as a model and a lot more, IgbereTV reports.
Interest in fashion and beauty
I started to develop interest in being a fashion and beauty connoisseur from way back in secondary school. My friends and I, who shared common interests, would practice striking poses, strutting and walking as though we were on a runway or pageant competition. I had already started looking forward to getting a degree in the university at this time, as my parents weren’t supportive of my modeling endeavours. Shortly after I signed up with an agency, I started getting jobs, mostly ushering and promotional jobs, but I was always looking forward to fashion and beauty jobs as that was the area I really wanted to explore.
I found so much joy in modeling
Basically, I believe that whatever you find joy in doing is worth the chase. I found so much ease and joy in modeling; it gave me some sort of fulfillment. At the time, even though I was only getting called up for freelancing jobs or paid little for most of the jobs I did, I still wanted to keep going. At this point, I just knew this has to be it! So, I put in effort to sharpen my skills so I could get the most befitting remuneration for my passion.
Professionalism is the core of any business
My brand is built solely on values such as punctuality. I understand very much that as a model, it matters to the brands I work with. Punctual also matters. I must be on set on time as most of the time, the collaborative work of the makeup artist, stylist and any other creatives on set are what make up a successful shoot; hence sticking to time is of essence. So, any project I am contracted for is executed perfectly and promptly. Ability to be forbearing is one of the most important qualities of a good model. The ability to understand the brand you’re working with, their vision for any given project, the values and what they hope to achieve with the project are also important. Modeling is not just about the runway, standing in front of the camera or acting a role in a given advertisement, it also involves critical analysis and thinking, so you know what skill set to introduce in any given project.
You get more than the value of intelligence that comes with my brand
I’m first about the idea of what you’re trying to create and how my beauty and skill can influence that. I could sometimes suggest ideas from my experiences as a model to influence the success and uniqueness of what is being created. Being discrete is one of the most important qualities of a model. You’d work with many brands, sometimes simultaneously; each brand must be able to trust you to protect the identity of each project, as you can sometimes be exposed to million dollar ideas that could ruin a project or a company if disclosed. No agreement is necessary for this; it comes with being an experienced professional.
Miss Ideal Nigeria pageant
I won the Miss Ideal pageant in 2019 and, honestly, I felt like my heart was going to pop out! The win changed everything. First of all, it proved to my parents that I could make something out of being a model, and it was also some sort of conviction that my efforts weren’t going down the drain. To be publicly validated made me know that I had at the time attained a certain level in my profession as a model and the industry at large. So yes, it was a mind blowing experience. From there, I was granted an automatic slot in the Miss Tourism Worldwide to represent Nigeria at the international pageant held in Singapore. It was also an opportunity to work with renowned photographers and production companies across Nigeria and internationally.
The looks of a model
Every model has to pay attention to their looks and it doesn’t matter if you’re a male or female model. Starting from your skin to what not to eat, weather conditions to avoid, your cosmetics, all of these are important in maintaining a stunning look. Secondly, your dress sense has to be a hundred per cent top-notch, update your fashion sense from time to time, follow trending clothing brands and find out what’s in vogue. Generally, hygiene is important but as a model it is even more important because you’d be working closely with people so you have to pay close attention to your hygiene. Practice poses, new walking methods and carriage. Attend fashion shows, go out more often, and meet people, as socialising is a very key factor to networking and putting yourself out there to be recognised by any brand for any project whatsoever.
