Manmay LaKay Magazine Debut Issue | Page 19

competition, came in second and won a modeling contract. That was the beginning of my modeling career.” And although modeling hit the spot, Paris like St.Martin, wasn’t quite the spot for Mala either… "I spent a short time in Paris but felt too far away from home so I moved to Miami. I fell in love with Miami right away. I just love the vibe of the city. I can get my green fig and chicken backs and saltfish right at the corner store. It quickly became my second home.” Mala recounts her first modeling gig in Miami… “My first time modeling was for a Dutch magazine. I was nervous. I had no experience whatsoever but I knew how to smile. They loved my smile so I did the entire shoot laughing and smiling. On my first booking, I worked with a very experienced and patient team so they made it very easy. I was lucky.” Her time in Miami was short lived and she ended up fulfilling a childhood obsession… “Shortly after being in Miami, I moved to Israel and lived there for three years. I travelled around Europe for modeling work in between and moved to Belgium, then I was back and forth between there and New York. Eventually, I decided that my happy place after St. Lucia is Miami, so I decided to make Miami my base. It still is today.” Although she didn’t fulfill her childhood dream of becoming a flight attendant, Mala travels far and wide… Amsterdam "I love Amsterdam because I feel like it’s a city of no judgment. I feel free when I walk through Amsterdam." Seychelles "Seychelles feels like half of St. Lucia was placed in a different part of the world. The Creole, the food and the people just made me feel like I was at home."