Ray Motsi enjoying life in front of the camera lens

Hardly a quarter of a year into his modelling career, the young man was nominated in the Most Promising and Most Photogenic categories ...

Hardly a quarter of a year into his modelling career, the young man was nominated in the Most Promising and Most Photogenic categories at the Zim Model Awards.......and looking at him, it's not hard to see why!

What better way to kick-start your modelling career than being nominated in the same categories as some of the best modelling talent that the nation has to offer?

He is certainly one name to look out for, not only on the local but international stage as well over the next couple of years.

We sat down with Ray Motsi and he gave us an insight into the glamorous world that modelling is and also what it meant to be a male model.

Below is how the interview went;

For the benefit of those not yet familiar with you, can you give us a brief background?

Well my Name is Raymond junior Motsi, turning 19, recently wrote my A level at churchill boys and hopefully I will be studying criminal law.

I am currently under Iconic model management, that is where i started and I am a commercial print model

Where and when did it all start for you?

Well, when and where i started?, I got the idea late september but I made the initiative in December, I got to talking with some of the big people in the industry and fortunately one of them was willing to take me under his wing, two days after, I got two nominations for MOST PROMISING MODEL and MOST PHOTOGENIC MODEL at the Zimbabwe Model Awards and less than a week later, I signed up with Iconic model management under Nilton Makazhu.

What is it that made you want to pursue a career as a model?

Well, its something I really had passion for but my lack of confidence would never let me fly, I used to look at models and have this perfect image in my mind , and ask myself "how will you ever become like this". That was until a couple of friends and people started saying I look like one and i should really try it and I have had this really unexplainable affinity for the camera from when i was still young so i was like , yeah why not try it.

Who were some of the individuals that you looked up to in the modeling business while growing up?

Theres only ever one guy that inspired me , Valentino Mjoni . He literally was the figure I looked up to, each time I was practicing my poses, I remember going on instagram and trying to pick a trick or two from his page. He was really encouraging, he linked me up with big people, helped me get those nominations and after every shoot he'd give constructive criticism, and tell me all that I needed.

How important is family involvement and support for you?

When it comes to family it becomes a bit of conundrum. When you have a vision , people only see a dark tunnel , you are the only one who knows that with effort you will see the light but not a lot of families are willing to let you take that bet . My father took and still takes it as a joke (hopefully my success will change his mind), my mom on the other hand was really supportive and the same goes for my brother .

Is modelling as glamorous as people say it is?

Everything from the outside looks perfect but as you get deeper into the industry you start seeing the bad in it just like any industry. Not many people will help you rise, it's like breeding your own competition, There are people who will manipulate you, especially agencies , you can get work but wont get paid .

What is it like being a male model and what are some of the 'perks' of the trade?

Being a male model has been great for me, it 'sorta' enhances my taste in fashion since there is always some new style to try out . Some of the perks, I would have to say people have this image of you being close to perfect, you don't really have anyone criticizing your fashion choices and that really is a confidence booster on my part and it's given me much exposure.

Can you take us through what a normal day in the life of a male model is like?

Well a normal day for a male model is not really different from that of an ordinary person but in my case the way i dress and carry myself has to show that I am a model, so it sort of becomes part of my life , living like I am in front of the camera all the time

What moments would you rate as being among the biggest highlights of your career thus far?

Like i mentioned earlier, the nominations for The Zim Model Awards have to be the highlight of my career thus far, I am still rising and expecting greater stuff up ahead.

The Zim Model Awards are the only peagent that I have taken part in so far in the 2 months of my career. I would like to think that getting nominated for that was a really big achievement in my book, I was there competing against some of the greats that Zimbabwe has to offer whilst I was still only a novice .

Any memorable photoshoots to date?

There is a shoot that I did with Onrun studios and I have to say that it was the most memorable that I can think of, I had in my company, really talented and supportive photographers who helped bring the best out of me.

What does it take for be a male model?

Requirements depend on the type of model you really want to be but i think the general ones are just really simple, commitment, hardwork and the most important of all being self confidence because if it doesn't start on the inside, certainly it's not going to show on the outside.

Looking ahead, can you share with us some of your goals?

As far as goals are concerned , my immediate one is to be that guy synonymous with huge brands such as Edgars but in the long run, I just want to expand my horizons, that is beyond borders, be found in areas noone really expected a Zimbabwean to be found.

What is your take on the local modeling industry?

The local industry as I see it, has talented people as well as diversity and has the potential to grown even bigger but I feel it should pay more attention to the upcoming models and try to harness their talent because there is a lot of talent out there that is still unknown to the industry, I have seen it first hand.

What else keeps you busy?

Besides Modelling I am into poetry and I'd like to also think that I am really good at sketching and painting and I spend a good part of my week in the gym.