Model, influencer, content creator, dancer. Athina Kamarudin takes stock of her creative journey and opens up about where she hopes to take herself next.

Royal Oak Mini Frosted Gold Quartz watch in 18-carat pink, white gold & yellow gold, all from AUDEMARS PIGUET. Robe and dress, ALIA BASTAMAM.

On Relevance

You’ve been a regular collaborator with some of the industry’s biggest names in fashion and beauty. A lot of that is due to relevance. How do you maintain relevance, in an industry that is ever in search of new faces and talent?

This is such an interesting question because earlier this year I had a crisis where I felt like my relevancy wasn’t as prominent as it was the year before, but of course, that was due to being new in the industry. 

One thing I’ve learned is that maintaining relevance goes back to your main purpose for being online. In a lot of my previous interviews, I tell people that being authentic is where it’s at. If you cannot be true to yourself, you will always lose your purpose and your way through everything you venture into doing.

I’m big on authenticity and vulnerability. We already live in a dog-eat-dog world, and whatever comes your way, if you don’t have a strong stance and voice for what you believe in—and continuously fight for it—it’s never going to do you good. There’s always going to be the Next Big Thing, but if people catch on to one thing of yours and they love that, they’ll definitely keep coming back for more. Don’t be afraid to try new things and always strive to be uncomfortable in places because that’s when true growth happens. I am Athina and in 10 years you’ll probably get the same Athina who speaks volumes in her presence wherever she may go. She is who she’s always going to be because she’s unapologetically herself.  

Royal Oak Mini Frosted Gold Quartz watch in 18-carat pink gold, AUDEMARS PIGUET. Dress, ALIA BASTAMAM

Authentic Expression

Authenticity is part of your brand—it’s something people in the industry associate you with, that you are professional, genuine and positive. So what are some of the life lessons or experiences that have moulded you or influenced you to be this way?

Dance really moulded me into the person I am today. I used to be a person of very little words, shy to speak up but when I danced, that was how I could express myself to the fullest. It was an intricate art form that allowed me to be animated and narrative with myself. I have to thank dance for that. I became a fuller, whole person because of it. Genuineness really sits by you when you want to give your all life. 

Content creator, influencer, model, dancer. Are there plans to try something new? What are your goals now? Where do you envision yourself in the next 12 months?

I’ve actually been surrounded by a lot of musically-inclined people and most of them are DJs. I’ve always had an interest in trying to bring dance and music back into my everyday life, so I kind of want to try being a DJ. Seeing how they put music together and control a crowd through tracks and tunes is an interesting watch. Also, if I ever get the opportunity, I want to act. I feel like I might be good at it (being called a drama queen my whole life). I find so much joy playing characters and studying behaviours, so acting is definitely in my list. Should I sing as well? 

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