A day with model Nyoman

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."