2nd September 2009: If people laugh at you because of your look and you let this pin you down, you’ll simply be allowing them to ruin your day and your life.
When she was a child, people always laughed at the model Elsa Lopes for looking like a “monkey” because she was too tall and skinny.
But Elsa didn’t allow this to ruin her life. She made a commitment to be able to attract public’s attention one day by using the very look they used to laugh at. “I decided that I would put to shame my history of being a tomboy and monkey look-alike by modelling,” she says.
Elsa also chose to become a model because she liked to perform and deliver. “Modelling allows me to express my inner self differently, without saying a word I can make myself known through the body language, the manner in which I walk, the gaze in my eyes, the expression in my face, the posture of my body from my lips to my toes, every part counts. I find it electrifying,” she says.
Elsa is a caring, bubbly and an understanding person. “I am a very patient person and at times too patient, but I’m willing to wait for good things to come,” she says, adding that good things come by God’s grace, and that requires patience.
Elsa is multi skilled. She can act, present, dance, perform and deliver. She also speaks English, French and Lingala fluently.
She has been a professional model for about a year now. Asked how it feels to be a model, she says: “It feels great, it’s a boost in confidence, and a statement as a young woman. Being a model makes me feel proud of myself, as I think of where I have come from, the family and people I have grown up with, it’s a great delight and something I will always proudly proclaim.”
Elsa would like to make a change to the current modelling world which requires models to look and act in a certain way (the typical model look of being tall and slim). “I would like to bring to people’s attention that models are ordinary people with everyday lives, and that anyone could be a model as long as they believe, because if you don’t believe in yourself no one else will do it for you,” she says, adding that “It all starts when I believe in me”.
She would also like to help women, especially young black girls aged between 13 and 18, who are going through depression, who feel they need to look in a certain way to be cool or pretty, to overcome this problem.
Elsa aspires to become an actress. “The type of roles that attract me are: presenting, drama series actress and a film actress,” she says.
She also loves playing “the conniving, two faced, man thieve next door, that comes across as sweet innocent and caring; the silly school bully with a gang of friends; and a successful young independent woman with a great story to tell.”
Asked what’s the part of her body she likes most, Elsa says: “It has to be my bottom, because I can look slim from the front but that extra piece at the back helps my figure, I believe. I also like my smile and eyes, I know I have strong eyes and a smile as innocent as a young child.”
Elsa has very high standards when it comes to choosing her ideal man. He has to be a “strong-minded man that knows what he wants in life, one who has his head screwed on and able to give me edifying advise. A man who is able to listen, understand and advice. One who is also caring as well as handsome, tall, dark, well built with a cute smile. I like laid back guys that can be firm when needed.”
This young model would like to achieve many things in life. Professionally, as a model she would like to make a mark for herself either in the UK or USA. She would also like to become a well known Talk show host like Oprah Winfrey, or a well known TV presenter.
Elsa also aspires to be a positive role model for the young black girls and women.
Family wise, Elsa would like “to get married to a great guy, have kids and live comfortably in a nice house.” She would also like to “give her children a great chance in life and push them to be the best. I would like to 
repay my parents for bringing me up as they have, in any possible way. Lastly I would like to spread the Gospel of Jesus in a fresh and different way, to the upcoming youth.”
Elsa’s advice to those aspiring to become models is: “Before anything you need to believe in yourself if you want to get anywhere, also practice makes perfect so whenever possible work on your walk.”
“The UK is a diverse country and we all play a role in society, therefore all ethnic models should be taken on board,” this is Elsa’s message to those who keep ethnic models away from important fashion events.
BASIC INFORMATION
Full name: Elsa Lopes
Age: 20
Place of birth: Angola
Height: 5,9
Dress size: 8
Weight: 8
Eyes: Black
Hair colour: Black
Educational background: Currently at University of Hertfordshire studying New Media and English Literature
Country of parents’ origin: Angola/Congo
Contacts:
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Tel 0845 388 7249
www.mahoganymodelmanagement.com
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