A day with model Nyoman
Nyoman Triwahyuni, 26, is one of Indonesia's popular models. Born to Balinese parents in the East Java capital of Surabaya, the top-earning model currently lives with them in Cinere, South Jakarta. This month, Nyoman launches her own fashion program on RCTI. In conversation with The Jakarta Post's William Furney.
JAKARTA (JP): "People I love are on my mind when I wake up -- any time between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m. I'm Hindu and pray in the morning with flowers and incense, and, of course, with my sash on. I pray for my health and career. I usually don't have time for breakfast as I have to rush out the door. There are so many things to do. I'll have soto or something else when I get to work.
There are a lot of things to do during the day: shows, photo sessions and shooting for RCTI. I've got a fitness cafe in Pancoran and I go there to see if everything is running well.
I've been a model for seven years now. When I was in high school, a friend sent some photographs of me to a model contest and it went from there. Later, when I was in university studying accountancy, I'd model in the afternoons. It wasn't that difficult to be in front of the camera or on a catwalk because when I was a child I learned Balinese dancing. I was used to being in front of people.
I don't like accountancy. I've always wanted to be a model but I don't want people thinking I'm stupid or something. So I went to university so my parents could be proud when I graduated.
Since I was 15 years old I knew I wanted to be a model. I used to read teenage magazines and sometimes I'd look in the mirror and pretend to be a model. I'm freelance now, so I'm not signed to one agency; I have many that call me.
If I'm doing a show, there'll be a rehearsal in the morning. Then there's usually a photo shoot somewhere else after that. When that's finished, I'll go back and do the show.
I did some programs for ANtv and Indosiar. The new one for RCTI is about fashion and will have reports and so on. I'm very excited about it.
I take two hours for lunch, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. I'll eat anything; I'm not fussy and I don't have to be careful about what I eat. I like Padang food and ayam betutu in particular. It's a Balinese speciality -- my mother cooks it for me. I love chocolate; it makes me feel relaxed. But I usually only eat small amounts of food for lunch.
I think I'm quite lucky because I don't tend to put on weight and can eat anything I want. Sometimes I'll have a drink or two. I like Corona and Kahlua. Occasionally, I'll have a cigarette, particularly if I'm on a long shoot.
I don't have any special program for taking care of my skin; I only have facials and use face masks.
I'm fortunate in that I have nice model friends, not like in other countries where they are very competitive. We help each other. When I became a presenter, they helped with problems I had and mistakes I'd make. They're great, not bitchy or anything, just very supportive.
I love shopping. It's one of my favorite things. Clothes are my life and sometimes I ask the designers if I can keep an item I've modeled for a show. Sometimes they'll let me and it's great. Many people are talking about Sebastian Gunawan and Didi Budiarto these days as the hottest designers. But I like all the designers and their creations. Sometimes they are a bit overbearing though. If we have to do a show without underwear, it can cause problems as many Indonesian models don't want to do that. I don't mind though. I really don't have a problem with nudity per se, but I would refuse lingerie shows as I'm Indonesian. People here are not ready to accept the reality of nudity yet. I think those models that take off their clothes in other countries are very professional. If I lived abroad, I'd have no objections to doing a nude photo session because people there don't think negatively about the model, the way they do here. It's the culture.
I don't have a fixed schedule, sometimes I'm busy all day and other times I'm not. If I'm not doing much I'll go to my cafe or go shopping with friends.
Modeling in Indonesia does not really pay all that well. I don't know why, but it's not like it is in the West.
Right now, I don't have a boyfriend, but I want to get married soon. I don't mind if it is with an Indonesian or a foreigner; I don't really have a preference. But my parents want me to marry someone who has the same religion as me. Last year, I was engaged to be married but we broke up shortly before the wedding.
Because I'm Balinese, I have a special place in my heart for Bali. I've spent wonderful times there, but I couldn't live in Bali because it's too quiet for me. I like living in a big city like Jakarta; there's always lots happening and lots to do, which makes it exciting.
When I get home in the evenings, I'm quite tired. Sometimes, I'll only watch some television. I go to bed thinking about my future and when someone will ask me to marry them."