Up Close & Personal: Shazia

Not all of Import Tuner's models kick-off their careers on the cover of our mag. Some have worked on many previous projects, such as ads for other industry magazines or cover features for non-import magazines.

However, few can boast the same sort of resume as Shazia, the Indian beauty who graces the cover of this month's issue.

Her modeling career started at 19, when she "fell" straight into the deep end of the pool by taking on a runway modeling project.

This all started while Shazia worked at a beauty salon as a receptionist. A modeling agent, who happened to be a frequent customer, was getting her hair done, when she received a call from a model who cancelled on an upcoming runway show.

One glimpse of the salon's receptionist and Shazia landed the part--with a casual interview and zero experience. Being thrown in, on a whim, to the modeling industry, however, proved to be nothing short of a chance of a lifetime.

Shazia's initial plunge has led to all sorts of exciting opportunities, including advertisements for various mainstream clothing companies and even bikini ads in one of our sister publications, Surfing magazine.

Introducing the New Dehli, India-born queen to you, our readers and our world--the import world.

2NR: What ads have you done for Surfing magazine?

SHA: I've done a lot of bikini modeling for Hobbie and Jamaican Style.

2NR: I thought you looked familiar, because I read that magazine. Actually, I look at the bikini ads first, then the surf, but I've seen some of the ads you were in. Do you surf or just model for that kinda stuff?

SHA: You know, I just got back from a trip to Port of Escondido, Mexico. I was there for 10 days modeling for a long board invitational and I surfed for the first time. At the time, the invitational was going on, the waves were big barrels, so a few of the guys brought us to another beach where it wasn't as big. I had so much fun that me and a few of my girlfriends are gonna go to Costa Rica for surf camp. If I do well there, then I might buy a board.

2NR: They have surf camps in California, too.

SHA: Yeah, but the water here is too cold for me. I'd rather learn in Costa Rica. I like the southern part of Mexico, because it's really mellow. The only place I didn't like was Mexico City. It was too crazy. I was walking around there and a lot of the locals thought I was Mexican and assumed that I could speak Spanish, when I'm really Indian. This one lady started going off on me saying, "Oh, do you think you are a Chicano!" and I was trying to explain that I was Indian. I had to keep saying, "I'm Indian, I can't speak Spanish, I'm sorry." They all thought I was trying to deny my culture when I was merely trying to explain what my culture was. I get mistaken as being Mexican a lot.

2NR: I thought you were when I first met you. Can you speak your language?

SHA: Yeah, my parents taught me. The cool thing is, I'm going out there this January for the first time, so I finally get firsthand experience on my culture.

2NR: Good thing you know how to speak the language. My parents wanted me to visit the Philippines, but the only thing I know are the bad words, so I would probably get beat up at the airport or something.

SHA: Actually, my parents didn't teach me bad words; I had to learn those from my friends.

2NR: I guess you're ready to tell off a few Indians, then. Just kidding. Are you going out there with family or friends?

SHA: My brother is getting married there.

2NR: Is it one of those pre-arranged weddings?

SHA: Kinda. They have never physically met, but they keep in contact with each other.

2NR: Man, that would feel weird to marry someone that you've only spoke to on the phone. How does that work?

SHA: I wouldn't say the marriage is fixed, because both families get to have their word. It's the parents who try and find a match. It's like they investigate the whole family to see if they are good people, well educated and the other family does the same. If all works out, then they let the two meet and that's when it comes down to their decision to be a couple.

2NR: Damn, so who's the lucky bastard that gets to marry you!

SHA: My family is a little more Americanized about the situation, so they gave both my brother and I a choice and he chose to be married to an Indian woman whom he can relate to.

2NR: So what's your choice?

SHA: Well, I do go through phases where I crave my culture and I want to be around it, but I have a boyfriend right now who is really good to me. It's funny, he's more interested in my culture than I am. He keeps saying that, if we get married, we should have an Indian wedding.

2NR: It sounds like you've done a lot of traveling with more to come. Out of all the places you have been, where would you see yourself living in the next couple of years?

SHA: I would have to say Florida! They have everything I like, from good weather to the best party places. I like humidity and clear water. Miami offers both of those, along with the city and the best nightlife, right along the water. I've also been to Orlando. [Frown.] That place is not fun at all, unless you have kids and you want to go to Disney World. South Beach is the place to be!

2NR: I hear that a lot of models live in that area. I guess I should take a trip out there. I guess this is where we say thanks and good-bye.

From the pages of Surfing magazine to the cover of Import Tuner, Shazia is on a roll to become a universal model.

To think that this all started from a receptionist job at a beauty salon, you might venture that this is straight out of a movie script. It almost sounds like "Pretty Woman"--minus certain parts, that is.

In any case, we are very happy to introduce her to our import lifestyle.