MARY JANE AGRA (continuation)

GTA: How has migrating from one country to another affected your life as a child and teenager? Was it beneficial to you or did it have any negative effects on your life?

Mary Jane: It affected me a lot. It was a big shift. Back in Dubai, people lived a more relaxed lifestyle. I was fully supported by my parents. Not a lot of teenagers were working. The focus was fully on studies. It’s a total complete lifestyle and when I moved here, all of a sudden it was all work. Does this, do that…everything all at once. I’m not gonna lie, I was overwhelmed at first but I was able to see the positive side of it. I was surprised that at sixteen I had to start working but it wasn’t an issue to me.  I wanted to experience hard work as well and be able to experience the excitement and relief of getting your first pay cheque. I realized that life is not that easy and that you have to work hard to get what you want.

Migrating from one country to another has been very beneficial to me. There are more positive things about it. I was able to learn more. At first, it was hard to balance school and work and at the same time, I was overwhelmed about the modeling industry here but I have learned more about the industry now. In Dubai, modeling wasn’t that well-known to our culture. Not a lot of people were interested in it. I was struggling to understand the industry but now I’ve come to realize the different angles in the modeling industry.

GTA: What has been your proudest moment so far, and why is this significant in your life?

Mary Jane:  All of my experiences. My every achievement played an important role in helping me achieve bigger things. Each and every single achievement is a stepping stone to all of my other achievements.

GTA: If you were given a chance to choose a different career path, what would it be and why?

Mary Jane: Putting modeling, acting, directing, and producing aside, I would probably be a psychologist. I want to be able to help people, hear them out and understand human behavior. I think being a psychologist is one of the ways that I can do that.

GTA: Who is your biggest influence?

Mary Jane: It would be my mom and my dad. They both give me different strengths. My dad always believed in me and my mom’s a big support all the time. They instilled confidence in me. My mom loved being in the entertainment industry, hosting events etc. Being with her and being surrounded by the knowledge, determination and passion she has for what she does influenced me the most. Even when I moved here, being a minority, I was struggling in the industry and I was on the verge of giving up. The competition is crazy. But they’re supporting me all the way. They’re the ones who believe in me the most.

GTA: As a young achiever, what words of advice can you impart with those who aspire to become someone in the modeling industry?

Mary Jane: Believe in yourself. There are many standards and challenges put on you. The most you can do is believe in yourself and bring something unique in the industry. You don’t necessarily have to adapt to all standards but you have to believe in yourself and be able to have a positive impact in the industry.

GTA: What do you think are the three most important qualities that a model or a beauty queen should possess and why?

Mary Jane: Intelligence, confidence and love for others. You have to be able to show that beauty is not just skin deep. That you’re able to prove to people especially nowadays that people look at beautiful people as someone just beautiful…nothing more, referring to them as “dumb.” People are very judgmental. The only way that we can change that kind of perception is to be able to speak with sense.  Beauty and brains still exists. Confidence and determination go hand in hand. Without confidence, you will fall hard. Rejections come from different places. You have to be tough. Confidence will pull you through all the difficulties and help you make it in the industry. I still have a long road to travel and a tougher journey to take but my confidence will help me through.

Lastly, love for others is being able to appreciate people who had helped you through. Being able to show people gratitude is a good quality to possess. It is important that you take care of those people who love you, those who you can share your proud moments and achievements with.

GTA: Where do you see yourself five years from now?

Mary Jane: I would have made it in the modeling industry even if I’m struggling and pursuing my education at the same time.  I’m currently a full-time student at Ryerson University in the Radio and Television Arts program because like I’ve mentioned I want to be able to make it in the fashion industry even if not in the actual modeling ramp. I would still be able to make it and have more knowledge about fashion, where I can be a host bringing in the latest fashion trends etc. doing what I love doing and being aware of what’s going on.

GTA: If you can change something about yourself, what would it be and why?

Mary Jane:  Probably missing out on a lot of opportunities. I have passed up a few modeling career opportunities because of school but I still believe that my education is an important tool to help me succeed further in the future.

The emphasis she puts on education, the ability to be able to manage a lifestyle beyond the norm and having the confidence to do many things at the same time, is a quality and an inner beauty that is so rare that she deserves the title named after herself, “the Jane of all trades.”