Model Nemcova take lessons from survival to reality TV
NEW YORK (Reuters Life!) - After surviving the southeast Asian tsunami, Czech model Petra Nemcova says everything she does in life has to have meaning, even a new reality TV show in which she mentors six models.
Nemcova, 28, survived the December 2004 disaster by clinging a palm tree for several hours. Her fiance, photographer Simon Atlee, was killed when the couple's hotel at the Thai resort of Khoa Lak was struck by the tsunami.
Since then the model has set up the Happy Hearts Funds to raise money for children suffering hardship due to natural, economic or health related disasters and also insists companies who use her in their campaigns donate to charity.
In her latest venture, Nemcova is hosting a TV show called "A Model Life with Petra Nemcova" which premieres on U.S. cable channel TLC on July 13 and follows her as she mentors six models who come to New York seeking a contract.
Nemcova said the show appealed to her because it was not just about the reality of the fashion industry but also about teaching these models about life.
"After the tsunami everything I do has to have some kind of meaning -- either inspirational or for charity -- otherwise I just won't do it," Nemcova told Reuters in an interview.
"This is to help these young girls, help them achieve their dreams. They learn a lot about other cultures, about modeling , overcoming adversity, appreciating what we have and freedom.
Nemcova chose the models and coaches them about dealing with finicky photographers and designers and who to go to for diet advice as they enter the cut-throat modeling world.
Nemcova became a model at age 16 after being spotted in a talent search. She became an international name after appearing on the cover of the 2003 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue.
She admits she has struggled to stay slim enough for the catwalk, at times barely eating, and had to fight to be treated with respect rather than as a clothes horse.
"I went through many different diets and used to live on just tomatoes or carrots. I never became anorexic but after doing so many diets my digestive system was off. It is getting better now," she said.
Nemcova said she also draws the models' attention to the potential for abuse within the industry.
"I know there is huge manipulation happening and girls who are naive get abused for their money, emotionally, even physically," she said.
Nemcova said surviving the tsunami and her experience in modeling had taught her the need to focus on the positive.
"If you focus on the good things you can become stronger and happier but if you focus on the bad things you can go down in a spiral. We can all overcome adversity," she said.
