Durban-born model Neetasha Singh has gone from walking to school in Phoenix to walking the red carpet at the 79th Cannes Film Festival in France.
Singh attended the prestigious festival, held at the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès in Cannes from May 12 to 23, after receiving invitations from Women in Film and Television (WIFT) Africa, Cannes Film Festival and Marché du Film.
Describing the experience as unforgettable, Singh said the festival provided valuable networking and educational opportunities.
“It was an unexplainable experience, one that I will never forget. The festival enables you to network and put yourself in rooms that give you an opportunity to propel your vision,” she said.
Singh, who is also a businesswoman and women empowerment activist, attended two film premieres during the event.
The first was Full Phil, featuring actors Woody Harrelson, Kristen Stewart, Emma Mackey and Charlotte Le Bon. The second was Palme d’Or contender The Birthday Party (Histoires De La Nuit) starring Monica Bellucci.
She said one of the highlights was sharing the red carpet with Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai and meeting several international personalities, including supermodel Coco Rocha.
Singh said she believed her journey in the industry was part of her destiny.
“I feel as if I was meant to do this. I was meant to live the life I am living right now,” she said.
She added that representing Africa through fashion was important to her during the festival.
Her first red carpet gown was designed by Nigerian designer Trish O’ Couture, while her second dress was created by South African designer Laryne Jefferies.
Singh described attending Cannes as a major career milestone.
“I had the opportunity to meet amazing, successful and powerful pioneers in the industry. The most important industry influence was seated in one place for the festival,” she said.
Reflecting on her upbringing in Phoenix, Singh said she remained grateful for the support she has received from her community.
“I come from humble beginnings. I used to walk to school and now I am walking runways and red carpets,” she said.
Singh also encouraged young people to believe in themselves despite their circumstances.
“Anything in this world is possible if you just believe in yourself. Your background or whatever curveballs life may have thrown at you does not define who you are and what you can achieve,” she said.
She also runs Model Camp SA, a women and youth empowerment programme aimed at mentoring young girls.
IOL
