They took on society and pushed the envelope to create a market of their own in this industry. They not only accepted themselves but also embraced themselves and therefore the world accepted them regardless of the societal norms of the typical Indian mentality shunning all the socio cultural structures and such. Meet Dayana Erappa, the Supermodel who is popular and living it up every single day.
When and why did you decide to become a model?
When I was doing my graduation in Bengaluru, my principal thought I could be a model. He introduced me to Prasad Bidapa and that’s how my modelling career started.
Did you go through any issues on your way up there? If you did face issues, what gave you strength to continue?
My journey has been very smooth. I’m blessed to have met such amazing people, people who have motivated me at every step. I was never in any bad hands. My strength was my friends who kept inspiring me and supporting me and gave me a lot of strength and motivation.
How important do you feel is skin tone in your industry? Have you ever been shamed for being dusky and what has been your response to these situations? Did you feel you were included in the industry from the time you started? Have you ever felt excluded?
I didn’t really come across any prejudice as I started out in the modelling world and there dusky was accepted. In the commercial fashion world there is this issue. Six to seven years back, the commercial fashion brands loved white skin tone. But now things have changed. People are liking dusky skin tone now. Most of us Indians specially down south are dusky. Only a few in the north of India are really fair. We should embrace our dusky skin as people all over the world love it. I never really faced any issues like clients saying we don’t want a dusky girl.
What has been the lowest point in your career and how did you overcome it?
My lowest point in career is difficult to remember. How the eight years passed by so fast, it’s a miracle. The transition from modelling to acting happened easily for me. I think the lowest phase would be post my movie release. I didn’t know what to do after that. I never wanted to do movies and then one movie happened and I was like what do I do next? Acting happened but I didn’t give up after that. I waited for good things to happen and now I’m doing my second movie after a year.
What impact do you want to create on this world?
It has to happen naturally when l do the right things at the right time related to the Welfare of the society. In such a short span in this industry I can’t say I’ve created an impact but eventually I will.
What is your goal for the future?
I’ve never been this person who had a goal and worked towards it. Things happened without planning. Every day has been unplanned and I take one day at a time.
What are your other passions apart from acting and modelling?
Other than modelling and acting I love travelling and understanding new cultures. I’m also a big foodie, so if it wasn’t for acting or modelling, I would do something related to coffee and travel. I would probably have my own coffee shop with my own roasting unit.
Who is your idol and why?
From Lakshmi Menon, to Padmalakshmi to Noyonika I think I’ve learnt from everyone. As a model I need to grow all the time. Not only seniors but also the younger models. Everyone inspires me.
What is your sense of style? And how did it evolve?
I like to keep it simple. I never like to take risks when it comes to fashion. When I go for events I have stylists for my look. But otherwise I just wear pastels, greys, whites and blacks. Maybe a blazer and jeans. Being in the industry for so long, your tastes towards style and fashion just evolve.
Please share 3 key points for those aspiring to be like you?
. Please don’t aspire to become like someone as this industry is about your attitude. Your own aura.Your own individuality.
. Work with everyone – big brands and big designers. Have aspirations but don’t think of being like someone else. Bring your own uniqueness and stay grounded.
. This fame game can fall back on you so, just remain humble.
