Caroline Zachrie soars like an eagle in RI showbiz

Caroline Zachrie soars like an eagle in RI showbiz

By Asniar Sahab

JAKARTA (JP): Caroline Zachrie, one of Indonesia's leading
models who is also a rising star in television series, idolizes
Linda Evangelista because of the latter's chameleon-like ability
to change her expressions on the catwalk.

Caroline believes malleability is the special mark of a model
as it is needed to prevent the audience from getting bored.
Caroline, whose exotic face somewhat resembles Sophia Loren, has
climbed the ladder of fame in a world filled with glamor and
sensation within a relatively short time.

Still single at 26, Caroline says she believes God knows what
her path in life will be. It is God, she strongly believes, that
determines marriage, death and fortune.

Question: What have you been busy doing lately?

Answer: I'm now a presenter for Melodia, a program on ANTV. It
is slightly different from my former program, Serenada. Melodia
leans more toward music. It is educational and more exciting
because it has greater vigor and it is more fun. Besides that,
I'm now completing the shooting of Romansa 21, a TV series.

What's your part in Romansa 21 and what is interesting about
this series?

I play the main character, a woman searching for her own
happiness through the happiness that she bestows upon others.

Who first introduced you to the modeling world?

Mbak Ghea Panggabean (who is a noted designer). She included
me in one of her shows and, well, it was in Milan you see. Wow! I
was so happy, especially because I was placed in an equal slot
with top models like Ratih Sanggar, Larasati, Donna, Abel and so
on.

Honestly, I was so scared and nervous. Luckily, I have been
taught from early on to be independent. So, I tried to keep my
composure. That was in 1995.

Then I joined Ekspose, a modeling agency owned by Mbak Laras,
Kintan and Ratih. That was the period when I decided to devote my
life to modeling.

In fact, I had wanted to join the modeling world since I was
in senior high school, but my mom kept saying no and asked me to
finish university first. After I had finished my studies I told
my mom that I wanted to devote my life to modeling.

You started to star in TV series in the early stages of your
modeling career. How did you manage to do that?.

Oh, it went like this: One day I got a phone call from Star
Vision (production house) and they offered me a role in a TV
series called Jalan Kehidupan (The Road of Life). I played a
housemaid for only two episodes.

I played the main character in my second TV series, Selalu
Untuk Selamanya (Always Forever). I appeared in 13 episodes of
the series and was cast alongside top stars like Adjie Masaid,
Sarah Azhari and others.

Opportunity doesn't knock twice. If I get an offer and I think
I'm up to it, I take it and see it as my luck.

I thank God that I'm always lucky and that I have received so
much from God. How easy it had been for me to become a model.
Also to be an actress in TV series and a TV presenter. Everything
has been plain sailing so far.

All this is God's blessing and I can never thank God enough
for this.

Who is your favorite model?

I admire Linda Evangelista. She is beautiful and has a strong
personality. More than anything else, she is expressive. In fact,
this is important for a model because an ability to change
(facial) expressions helps prevent people from getting bored with
us.

We should be like a chameleon, if possible. That way, we can
create surprises before the camera or the public. Unfortunately,
many Indonesian models wear this rigid facial expression all the
time.

What do you have inside your handbag?

First, my cell phone. Then, my make up because I hate looking
worn-out. I must always look my best, that's my principle. Not
that I need glittery make up, but simple touches so I don't look
pale and worn-out. As a woman, I feel more confident when my make
up looks fine. Just that.

One more thing, wherever I go I will have a novel with me. It
is very useful to while away the time, especially while waiting
for your turn during a shooting period.

What are your shortcomings?

I'm highly moody. I'm not a very patient person and can easily
fly off the handle. But I have learnt to be more patient and to
adjust to my surroundings.

Just an simple example: I am often made to wait for people who
just can't be on time. Well, I stayed abroad for 15 years where
everything runs as regularly as clockwork. The community in which
I lived respected punctuality.

Which was why I was shocked to see how relaxed and indifferent
some Indonesians are about time. It was quite stressful for me at
first but I tried to adjust myself to the situation. But I still
encounter people who can't keep their appointments on time.

What drives you to explode in anger?

When my friends betray me. For me, a friend is very important.
We share stories, happiness and sorrow, with our friends. If a
friend betrays us, we don't need to maintain their friendship.

A friend once betrayed me and I burst into anger because I had
never thought that someone would betray me. I then kept my
distance from that friend. Luckily that friend now lives abroad,
which makes it easier for me.

What are your favorite colors?

I like red. This color exudes sensuality, sexual nuances. I
also like black because it looks classic and inspires self-
confidence.

Who is your favorite designer?

Biyan because his creations project an image that a woman can
look pretty without being gaudy. Also, Biyan's designs are
simple ... I don't like complicated designs. Biyan's designs are
practical but very feminine. I also like Sebastian's designs
because his creations are the image of glamor and 'Wow'!

Your favorite food?

I like Italian food, particularly pasta, since I was a child.
It's very special. Hmm, just thinking about pasta makes me want
to have some now. But even though I like pasta very much, I
always have to remember that I must not gain weight. This means I
cannot eat too much or too often. As a model I must take very
good care of this body. This is my asset.

If you were to choose, what animal would you like to be?

An eagle. For me it symbolizes mystery. An eagle can fly
freely and it looks fierce but it has the characteristic of an
introvert.

I'm also an introvert, I am a very private person. I don't
like telling people about my personal affairs because it is not
the right thing to do.

Just like an eagle: it will react when it is disturbed and it
can be real fierce. Well, I think I am like an eagle; perhaps it
is quite like my own personality, ha ... ha ... ha ... ha... !

Do you ever feel lonely?

Very often.

What is your idea of an ideal husband?

One thing for sure: he must understand my present occupation.
I don't want him to be intimidated by the entertainment world. I
want him to look at me as I am, not because of my profession.

How do you wish to be remembered?

I want to be remembered simply as Caroline. It means I will be
remembered because of my personality. I'm a quiet person by
nature. I don't talk much and spend more time listening to other
people. If I have a problem, for example, I prefer to settle it
in my own way. In short, I want people to remember me for my
personality.