The Jungle Paper
Author: Rachel Sorensen
A QUICK Q&A WITH MODEL ZOE PENMAN: BEAUTY WITHOUT THE BEAST.
THE JUNGLE has a quick chat over a cof’ in a caf’ with Zoe Penman, our Issue No.3 ‘The Monster In You’ cover model, and grand beauty (sans the beast).
Zoe Penman is a name that has circulated around the Australian modelling industry since the youngster was made one of the seven finalists in the 2009 Girlfriend Model Search. It’s now four years later and Penman, still only a delicate 19 years old, has a promising career ahead.
We first met the Brisbane-bred lass on location for our second issue. Penman was how you would imagine any up-and-coming model to be: fresh-faced, insatiably gorgeous, enviously lithe, and bursting with youth. However, it was the surprising quirks in Penman’s nature that really caught our attention. Completely devoid of the stereotyped vanities sometimes defiling models who begin as babes making a living out of their gorgeousness, Penman is a beauty rarefied for the very reason there is no sign of a beast.
Penman is instead, a refreshing oddity in a world where monstrous Princesses can so often be created. Her humour is quietly hilarious; if you listen closely she’ll make you giggle with her bizarre commentary and an off-beat sarcasm. She will most probably be slouching against a wall snacking from a packet of Trail Mix in hand somehow standing with the modest grace of a girl holding little regard for her beauty, and with the confidence of a woman years beyond her age.
World, say ‘Hello!’ to Zoe Penman.
Q: What’s your name?
A: Zoë Margaret Penman
Q: What do you do for pocket money now?
A: I’m a full-time model and part-time quirky little bugger.
Q: Who do you work for?
A: Vivien’s Models and whoever the client is really!
Q: What do you want to do when you grow up?
A: I just want to travel really, that’s my primary goal. Whether its modelling or another occupation that allows me to see the world, I’ll be happy.
Q: Have you ever seen a monster in real life?
A: Not a real one. But I have met a couple of people in my life that definitely have a monster inside of them – they release so much hatred onto others that you wonder what it’s doing to themselves.
Q: What’s the hardest thing about modelling?
A: Probably the aftermath of jobs- spending two hours in the shower trying to get hair extension glue out of your hair is not fun!
Q: What’s the best thing about modelling?
A: Meeting all the passionate people! Coming into contact with artists every day – photographers, makeup artists, hair stylists, fashion stylists – all so in love what they are doing and so passionate about what they are creating.
Q: Name your monster/s?
A: Self-doubt.
Q: What’s the best advice you ever received?
A: Stay true to yourself. In an industry that is based purely around what others like about you or want you to be it is so important to make sure that you put yourself first and question every action.
Q: Scariest movie villain/monster of all-time?
A: That guy from The Da Vinci Code… oh my god I’ve had nightmares about him!
Q: What’s the most terrifying thing that has ever happened to you?
A: I almost drowned when I was a kid. I still remember bobbing up and down in the water gasping for air… time certainly did slow down!
Q: Who’s your favourite person in the world? Be brutal.
A: Probably my sister. She has been so so supportive of all my decisions towards modelling, and regardless of whether they work out or not, she’s always just been there to calm me down or cheer me up by acting like a complete and utter idiot.
Q: What do you say to your inner demon when it is gripping at your heels?
A: What the hell do you think you’re doing?!
source: thejunglepaper.com
