Mika Aaron Jenewein tells Nadia Badarudin about how he got into modelling
WHILE most of his peers are still enjoying life at 18, Mika Aaron Jenewein is doing runway shows in Europe and determined to chart his career path in modelling.
Mika was born in 1998 to an Austrian father, Markus Jenewein and a Malaysian mother, Azrarita. With his innocent, charming looks, it was no surprise that modelling offers came knocking at his door as early as 8.
From television commercials and print advertisements, Mika slowly expanded his potential and moved up the local industry ladder through editorial fashion shoots and minor roles in movies.
His breakthrough moment arrived last year when he became the first runner-up at Malaysia Supermodel Search 2015, an online-based reality show contest organised by modelling and beauty school Amber Chia Academy.
The 190cm-tall Mika added another achievement to his portfolio by coming out 2nd at Fresh Faces in Barcelona, Spain early this year (Fresh Faces is an international modelling contest organised by modelmanagement.com). Following the win, he signed on to an Austrian modelling agency, Addicted To Models. He hopes it will be a stepping stone to the international fashion arena.
Mika is now a regular face in the Milan fashion circuit. He was recently in the Diliborio Show at Milan Men’s Fashion Week.
I met Mika a week after he catwalked at Kuala Lumpur Fashion Week Ready-To-Wear in August. The lanky but adorable Mika is full of enthusiasm when it
comes to fashion, dodgeball and techno music.
How did your modelling career begin?
My mother was the one who put me into talent competitions and castings when I was a child. My passion and interest developed from there and eventually led me to do a course in modelling at Amber Chia Academy. In fact, my modelling career actually started with a coincidence. I was spotted by Benjamin Toong, the academy co-founder, as I was watching a runway talent search and he challenged me to enter the Malaysia Supermodel Search.
Have you always dreamt of becoming a model?
Not really, because I used to hate having my pictures taken. Actually, I love sports and my forte is dodgeball. My ambition was to be a sportsman. But it is a different story now. I still play dodgeball for my high school team, Zelts (of Sri Emas International School, Selangor).
Who’s your modelling icon and why?
I look up to American model Lucky Blue Smith (Teen Vogue named Smith Model Of The Moment in 2015). I think modelling came naturally to him.
Who’s your favourite photographer and why?
I adore the work of Austrian photographer Isabella Friedmann of iloveshade, whom I did a photoshoot with a few months ago. She is full of creative, explosive and experimental ideas.
What do you do when you are not jet-setting for work?
I play games on my smartphone. Sometimes I hang out with my friends or play dodgeball.
What does it take to be a model?
Besides passion, I think patience, discipline and commitment are very important to making it in this industry.
What’s next in your career?
I look forward to strutting the runways at the Big Four fashion weeks (New York, London, Paris and Milan). I am working towards that and I hope my dream will come true.