Sheena Liam: Defying The Model Stereotype [Exclusive Interview]

I think I was five when I was poisoned by my mum who casually commented that I should be a model because I was so skinny. And from then on, it was stuck in my head.

I guess I always loved the dark horses of the industry. How unusual, unique-looking, and at times, awkward people were celebrated as beautiful. I was always laughed at for being dark-skinned and skinny. I guess it was defiance on my part when I tried to make what people say are my weaknesses into my strength.

Look at Naomi Campbell, she’s a supermodel and earns millions and I’m determined to do that too.

I was probably 15 when I started modelling casually. I was just helping friends who were studying makeup and fashion design with their shows or examinations. It was good pocket money!

Yes! It would be my ninth year in 2015, but I didn’t really start full time until about three years ago. I can’t believe I’ve been at it for so long (laughs)!

I was never an overnight success, I didn’t take it seriously enough. When I started professionally, I felt like I was stuck in a rut — doing small bridal and makeup shows only. It took me a really long time to find my footing in the industry.

I was 12 years old and worked as an extra on a TV show. It wasn’t anything ground breaking, I was just doing it for pocket money.

I was always like that, I would go out and do whatever I could to make money. I used to write books or publish my own magazines and make my dad buy them off me (laughs).

In high school, I was always working. If not modeling, I would give out flyers for a small wage. I just wanted to work, though it wasn’t purely about money. It was about having something to do. I worked from the moment I could.

It was a runway show for a hair academy’s graduation, where my friend was studying at the time. I think I was paid like RM50 and was given free products as a token of appreciation.

Like anyone else, I guess. I save up whenever I could. I’ve had great opportunities this year, and I think I worry about money too much sometimes. As long as I have enough for a plane ticket home from wherever I am, I should be okay.

My other love is writing. I’m always writing. It comes naturally to me. I always think of myself as a writer first before anything else.

I may not make actual money from it yet but I have the rest of my life to be whatever I wish to be. Modelling I can only do now and there will be time to explore other things. Mind you, I want to do everything in life (laughs).

Yes. It seems like a natural progression for a lot of models. They move on from modelling to hosting or celebrity jobs. It’s more natural for some because they’re naturally social butterflies and they flourish in these situations.

I try to play the part sometimes but it doesn’t come naturally for me. Even with writing I am concerned that people may only say my writing is good because I’m a model. (Probably because people never expected models to be able to do anything else.) I take modelling as a chance to live this amazing life while I hone my other interests in life.

It’s quite casual actually (laughs). I would give it all away if I feel like it. I did give all the cash prize I won from AsNTM2 to my parents.

I’m always buying presents for friends or treating people. A couple of years ago, I realised this — I could get run over by a bus tomorrow or I could be walking at a construction site and a crane could fall on my head. Maybe I should have a second slice of that overpriced cake (laughs)!

My parents are your typical conservative Chinese parents. They were always encouraging me to save money and be more prudent about my spending. But I’m still such a mess with money (laughs).

Every time I have money I just give it to my mum because I’m so scared I’d get robbed or I would spend it unnecessarily.

Yes. Money used to be very important because I wanted to buy everything. However, as I grew up, I realised that buying these things didn’t really make me happy. In fact, the more I bought the unhappier I became.

I realised that things have to really matter when you spend. It has to be something you really want. I was really into sneakers — I’d save up and buy all these sneakers. Now I look at my rack full of overpriced sneakers and I feel sick.

Of course. I don’t and will never regret spending on travelling and on my loved ones. Give everything you have or can to your friends and family.

I think I’m a good balance of both, but then again I’m a horrible gauge of finances (laughs). I could actually be super broke and not realise it.

I told my dad I wanted to invest once. He laughed in my face. I’m not going to say that out loud ever again.

Cash, I think. If it’s not physically there in my hands it doesn’t exist. If it doesn’t exist it doesn’t matter if you spend it, which makes credit cards scary. I have bank accounts with no cards attached at all, where I just put all my money in and never look at it again.

Well. A model is at the bottom of both creative and financial hierarchy. I think I got paid best when I was a brand ambassador, but then you are a marketing tool with zero input, except for your popularity.

Opening bank accounts without cards attached. You just take as much as you need a month and every other cent goes straight into the bank account and you don’t think about it at all. It’s good for people who are not very good with their finances, or lack discipline.

I guess it would if I had no other life skills. It doesn’t worry me yet as I’m only 24 this year. I have many magical plans for life (chuckles).

To a certain extent, but I think most important things in life can’t really be bought with money.