From being camera shy to becoming supermodel: Ketholeno shares her journey

Ketholeno Kense Vihienuo is a well-known name in the fashion industry today. The Nagaland-born model, in a short span of time, has carved a niche for her.

Her journey began after winning the Kingfisher Supermodel Hunt in 2014.

From appearing on magazine covers, shooting for fashion spreads and walking for high-end designers, Leno, as her friends call her, has already added many feathers to her cap, with the recent one being Vogue and Colors Infinity Young Achievers Award at the Vogue Women of the Year 2017 which she won last month.

Ketholeno is extremely fun loving, jovial and considering she is a supermodel, she is unexpectedly grounded. What would surprise a stranger at first is that Ketholeno is an extremely simple girl who makes modeling industry sound a better place to be at.

In an exclusive interview with ANI, the supermodel shared her journey from being a camera shy Naga girl to being a supermodel.

"My journey has been really amazing. For a girl from the northeast India or for an oriental face to be doing so well in India, it's amazing. The fashion industry has accepted me so well. It's not just my work but amazing people I have met throughout the journey that has made me what I am," she says.

On being asked what inspired her to be a model, she clarifies that as a young girl, she never dreamt of becoming a model and took it as a hobby and when opportunities knocked her door, she simply went with the flow.

"I was very tall for a Naga girl and I started modeling as a hobby. So whatever local shows we used to have, I used to participate in it during my college days and also after I graduated. I came to the city to just give it a try and just for the excuse of modeling, I wanted to see the city and live the city life," she adds.

Revealing her future prospects, Ketholeno says she would pursue modeling till the time she can and later do something related to promotion of the northeast culture.

Apart from her family, she is strongly supported by her husband Rokovor Vihienuo, who is a photographer by profession.

Ketholeno credits her husband for helping her balance her professional and personal life.

The couple had met during one of Ketholeno's event in Arunachal Pradesh and love blossomed into marriage in 2016.

"I wish I could be with her every time for her shoots or for an award, but I am not able to join her all the time because of my work as well. But I am very proud of her of what she is today," Vihienuo says with a sense of pride in his eyes.

Though fashion industry is a tough egg to crack and make a name for one, Ketholeno says she doesn't take success or failure seriously but, instead works hard to cross every obstacle that comes her way. 

-ANI