Kiana
Agencies
Mother Agency (MA): Peggi LePage
Montreal: Specs model Management
Toronto: Ciotti Models
Cape Town: Cover Model Management
London: Profile Model Management
Answers to Q&A
Why did you want to become a model?
To me modelling is an art form. It’s something that can easily be seen as something superficial but for me it’s a lot deeper than just looking good for a photo. For me, modelling is embodying a character. Feeling something and letting that come through to a photograph. Modelling is being vulnerable, this is what attracted me to it in the first place. In front of a camera I can be whoever I want to be. I also love meeting new people and modelling allows me to do this. I saw modelling as an opportunity of connecting with people, learning, and creating.
The first time I was scouted I was probably about 13 years old in Florida. We used to frequently go out there at least once a year because my grandparents spent a lot of time living in a trailer park. I was super lanky and very awkward in my body at this age so didn’t have much interest in it at the time and my mom never pushed for it. In my teenage years I was scouted a few times again but again didn’t do much about it. The opportunity floated around me for a long time but it wasn’t until I met my current mother agent while i was in university developing a love for the arts that I really got into it.
What makes you special?
I’m extremely passionate and I have a million and one hobbies. I choose to stay curious. I ball my eyes out at movies that made me feel something even if the ending is stupidly predictable. Everything I do I do with my heart. In a world where we’re conditioned to be hard, I choose to be soft. I love life and the people around me with my entire being and I never want to lose that, I’d like to think this is what makes me special.
What are you passionate about?
Walking with purpose. I am Filipino, Indigenous and Irish. My mother is a first generation immigrant and my paternal grandparents had my father very young. My dad was a high school dropout who’s father was in a biker gang. I walk with a lot of weight and everything I do, I do holding my ancestors hands. I’m proud of where my people have come from and I give tribute to the people who walk with me now and have made me the person I am today.
It’s important to dig deep into who you are and then be that person. Be yourself essentially. Everyone says it but thats only because there’s so many people trying to be something they’re not. They’re afraid to be themselves because they judge who they are on the inside so harshly. There’s a special kind of radiance that shines off a person who is so authentically themselves.
ONE THING PEOPLE MAY BE SURPRISED TO FIND OUT ABOUT YOU:
Im a serious cinephile. I watch 95% of every movie that comes out in theatres and am constantly waiting for the next one to be shown. On top of that, I rent movies from a blockbuster style dvd rental place that has a more obscure selection. I log every movie I watch and make a yearly compilation for myself of all my favourites of that year. My favourites currently are probably, “Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person” (crazy name i know), “Godzilla Minus One”, “The Medium”, a Thai horror film, and “Killers of the Flower Moon”. I dream of writing my own film one day and I am constantly playing scenes of it in my head when I daydream.
What is Something interesting about you?
My dad was a professional motorcycle racer for Ducati so I grew up spending weekends at a track watching him race when it was local enough. It was super loud all the time so I have this to thank for my skill of being able to sleep through absolutely anything. My dad tried to get me into it and got me a full racing suit and helmet when I was around 8 years old and I would ride it around while my dog chased me. I think he realized that it was probably a bad idea when I drove head first into my moms car.