Youthful Namibian model and actress Prisca Anyolo first caught the eye of fashion enthusiasts when she made it to the top six of the Miss Jozi pageant in South Africa.
Since then the 24-year-old has appeared in various DStv and Vodacom commercials, and has become a familiar face on Old Mutual billboards and commercials across the continent.
Recently she made it to the top 12 of the Miss Republic of Namibia pageant, adding a feather to her cap of other titles she has under her belt such as Miss High Schools in 2015, Miss Rundu in 2014 and Miss Umbhali 2016 in South Africa.
Anyolo says she already knew she wanted to be a model from the age of 15.
“When most people see me today they wouldn’t know I was a tomboy growing up. I never wanted to be associated with anything girly back then.
“One day I just thought maybe it wouldn’t be so bad if I tried on a pair of heels and from then on I kept on strutting, ensuring my confidence was just as high as my heels. My family still teases me about the feminine woman I’ve blossomed into,” she says.
What makes modelling fun, she says, is having the opportunity to portray different personalities on set every time.
“I find it almost like acting. Each gig requires a new character. Modelling has bettered my life in so many ways. I have gotten opportunities to meet amazing people who are very creative. My career really took off when I got signed under the South African modelling agency Louis B Models in Sandton, and that is how I bagged a couple of huge commercials.”
Anyolo says the modelling industry is not easy and advises other models to always ask for a contract and make sure they understand the legal terms and conditions in it. She also urges models to never do anything they are not comfortable with.
“This includes showing too much skin in front of the camera just because the client says so. Say no if you are not interested, because you can’t be forced to do anything you don’t want to do. Never ever sacrifice your dignity.”
The ambitious model is also very passionate about acting. She had her first big break when she played the role of Isola in the successful local film ‘Katutura’.
The ambitious young woman doesn’t only have her mind set on dominating the entertainment industry but is also focused on making it big in the world of media as she is currently pursuing an honours degree in journalism and media technology.
She already has a degree in journalism from the Pearson Institute of Higher Learning in South Africa.
Besides her studies Anyolo is also a part-time make-up artist and has been running her own business Make Em Upp, since 2017.
“This business is flourishing. Clients love my work and I honestly do it out of pure passion. I love how I can enhance anyone’s features with a few strokes, colours and brushes.
“When I do make-up I always tell my clients that they are already beautiful without make-up on. I just enhance their natural beauty, which is the beauty of make-up.”
Anyolo also loves children and often does charity work by helping the less fortunate.
“I have a soft spot and interest in food security for the impoverished and children that are orphaned or homeless. I started my philanthropic activities of feeding the homeless and the poor during varsity days in Johannesburg.
“Having a lot of responsibilities on my shoulders will never stop me from pursuing my passions in helping the less fortunate. I have plans to culminate bigger and better projects in my hometown Windhoek,” she says.
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