Sophia Abella, is a Filipina transgender model turned actor, Indian at heart, Spanish background who has dared-to-bare in the industry making her mark as one of the noted actors in the industry.
“Yes obviously. I never wanted my book to be a bachacha stuff. On the flip side, some of us have fallen prey to debilitating perfectionism. It’s okay to make some mistakes along the way. Boo or ovate, anyone has any right, either. That’s what the learning process is all about.”
So how was it looking at fashion from your perspective growing up? What intrigued you about the industry so much?
I used to paint and sketch in fact i won series of trophy and regional. Then one day i fell in love with Bollywood showbiz, had my belly pierced by influence of Sherlyn Chopra back in 2010. I want to be phenomenal and a powerful influence to break barriers in Indian Cinema which requires years of learning its rope. I love India and being in Btown is a good starting point. I think people have various misconceptions of my purpose in coming to India. In my situation, my sexuality, my sense of visibility to understand people’s behavior especially people from India project a subtle reminder that Kamasutra and Transgender are evident in Hindu Mythology. India is so rich in culture as it is now; it has so much history. To jettison the word Transgender is impudent. I believe utilizing BTown to expose people in the Transgender world is a good vessel. I hope everybody gets to understand that Transgender people need love and respect and we would like to be warmly welcomed in the Indian culture.
So, we are sure you have so many, but what have been your most favourite moments in your career?
To grace a cover and first Asian model highest sales on stand and digital. The “dream cover” I am talking about is the one which effortlessly beautiful. It’s the kind that makes you yearn to belong to signature model. It’s something when you don’t feel like eating, sleeping or doing anything. A lot young coming up who love to dare and look sexy but I don’t see them as a threat. Excellence changes and so I’ve to be WOW all the time. It’s just that I have to be a better version.
Who have been your icons?
I feel that I have the potential to do what others did in their time. I am very confident that I will soon make a place for myself. I adore Heidi Klum, Gal Gadot, and Priyanka Chopra. We may finally screw up the courage to talk about our deepest fears or reveal our buried brilliance.
It’s a very existential question but what’s next for you? What have you not done?
To be in reality tv show, Netflix originals and debut movie.
The devil is in the details, but so is a chorus of angels. By fine-tuning “the little things”, I can take efforts from “meh” to “magical”. I have been working on this portfolio from past years and it had been a painful experience for me. But that does not stop me to dream, though on the other hand, I am happy. Thanks to all those criticisms, I will have fans now.
When do you feel most glamorous?
Bold smokey makeup and big wave curls. That way I can showcase the natural and innate artist in me– genuine, passionate, and real star to create a revolution in the Indian cinemas and across the globe. I like to face challenges and I have countless of stories to tell. I would like to pose as a living example and inspire many lives in the world especially in the LGBT community. I would like to show them that if I could do it then they could do too. It took me years to master the rope of this industry, to understand how castings work, auditioning for roles, working with producers, modeling and the like and it was not that easy especially Bollywood. So I thought what I could do as a stepping-stone is to enter South Indian cinema. I like to do a remake or something magic like Baahubali film because South filmmakers produce undeniably out of these world movies than Bollywood. It is also a common knowledge that it is the main stream of glamour and super stars. So if you like to use your skills, gift and talent then go for south movies.Â
What is a shoots that sticks in your memory?
French nude artistic and birthday suit series shot in Bali. My zero effort sexuality and sensuality, especially the ones my body oozes when the camera is rolling. Just feel carefree, know winning conversations and practice art of eloquence. Gives you confidence and boost your personality with an oomph factor. But I have my own concoction but – it’s a secret.
