After winning the Swiss Elite Model Look contest, Lea Traub is now in the running for the international elimination title. Due to Corona, everything is a little different this year, and the finalists are doing many of their auditions via web cam from the comfort of their own homes. In this interview, Lea gives us an insight into her current everyday life and tells us what’s next for the Elite Model Look.
FACES: After your victory at the EML Switzerland, you are now among the top 20 in the world! How does that feel for you?
Lea Traub: It’s an incredibly nice feeling to be part of it and to have this opportunity. I’m also really happy to see how my friends and family support me and are proud of me. But I still can’t quite realize how huge this contest is and what I’ve already achieved with it. I think this also has to do with the fact that everything takes place online and you don’t realize the extent of the contest.
F: Due to Corona, everything is a little different this year. How does the international EML take place now?
LT: Unfortunately, nothing could take place on site, so we candidates didn’t really have the opportunity to get to know each other. There were weekly Zoom meetings such as briefings, interviews, mentor sessions, etc., where you were sometimes alone or with the whole group. In addition, we were given a number of “tasks” that we had to submit within certain deadlines.
F: What new challenges are you facing right now?
LT: Definitely in finding the balance! There’s a lot going on in my life at the moment and I’m still in the process of organizing everything so that nothing is neglected. In addition to the EML final, I’m currently in the exam phase of my studies and I’m still working at the same time. A lot of things come together, and I am a person who would like to devote the same amount of time to everything, which is no longer possible at the moment because so much overlaps.
F: What feedback from the international jury are you most pleased with?
LT: To be honest, we haven’t received any feedback from them. We all filmed the photos, videos etc. at home, so the exchange with the jury was rather limited.
F: How does the Swiss elimination differ from the international competition?
LT: You notice that many more people are involved in the international competition, even if you don’t notice this so directly via Zoom. There are so many nations involved, which makes the whole thing extremely exciting. In contrast to the elimination in Switzerland, the online format makes it less personal and you don’t have the same connection to the other candidates and the jury as here.
F: How important is social media to your modeling career right now?
LT: I realize that being present on social media is extremely important in this business. It is an opportunity to make lots of contacts, including at an international level.
F: Who do you see as your strongest competition?
LT: I think all of the eight other female models are very individual and strong. Since I haven’t seen much of them, I find it difficult to pick a favorite and compare them.
F: Do you have a battle plan for winning the race?
LT: I want to stay true to myself and be authentic, always give my best and believe in myself more.
F: Your diary is full. What’s the first thing you do when you have some free time again?
LT: I would like to invest more time in riding again. Unfortunately, that’s always the first thing to go when I have a lot to do.
