Title: Navigating the Dual Worlds of Modeling and Acting: An Insightful Interview with Lindura
PHOTO BY VICTORIA MALANOWSKI
In the bustling city of Toronto, Ontario, where dreams are pursued amidst the vibrant arts and entertainment scene, sits Lindura, a multifaceted talent signed to Massardo Management. Known for her seamless transition from modeling to acting, Lindura's journey is a testament to the art of adaptation and resilience in an industry that demands versatility.
In this exclusive interview, we dive into Lindura's remarkable story, exploring how she navigated the often tumultuous waters of two distinct yet intertwined realms: modeling and acting. What sets Lindura apart is not just her ability to thrive in both industries, but her uncanny ability for striking a harmonious balance between them—an accomplishment that eludes many.
Let's step into the world of Lindura, where resilience meets artistry, and where every setback is an opportunity for a remarkable comeback.
Models of Canada: Can you share your experiences transitioning from the successful modeling career that you're still doing into acting? Did you face any challenges? If you did, how did you overcome them?
Lindura: My journey from modeling to acting was very natural. I always have that “what’s next” attitude! As many models in Toronto know, Toronto is a very commercial market, so when I first started modeling in Toronto and Cape Town, I also started auditioning for TVCs. As I got better at it, a lot of my auditions started to have lines…and at first I was like, “What is this? What am I supposed to do here?” That is what sparked my interest in acting and wanting to be better at it!
In the beginning I had no idea what I was doing and was very fresh, so it was something that I definitely had to take my time to learn about and also just get more comfortable doing because it's always that daunting factor. With a lot of modeling, acting, and the entertainment industry in general, 90% is just confidence in yourself that you can do it and that you can show up and hold your own, bring whatever you want to bring to the table! So cultivating that confidence was a matter of just practice, taking acting classes and also having people take a chance on me.
Models of Canada: Such a cool journey! So, with developing your new skill set, how did you handle rejection? Did you find it hard where you were getting rejected a lot, or did it kind of happen for you faster than you anticipated? As we know, rejection is something all models and actors deal with on a daily basis!
Lindura: There's two answers here. I think it's all definitely happened way faster than I anticipated. So when I look back to starting out as a model, to doing my first commercial, to doing my first commercial with dialogue, to starting to be in short films and having day player roles on different TV shows… to NOW being a series regular on a TV show… I look back and I go… HOW AM I HERE?!!! It's incredible!
That being said, it's not that I didn’t receive any no’s. There are always no’s, especially in this industry. However, I never look at the no’s as a bad thing, they do not take up brain space at all. That is because I've looked back only for the purpose of proving to myself how far I've come. Once an audition is done and sent off, if I did a good job, I'm happy. For me that's as good as booking a job. If I'm proud of a tape, great I did my best! That's all I needed. If I end up getting the job, wonderful! If I don’t, I'm not someone who thinks back and goes, “I wonder if I should have done better?” It's almost easier to just forget the tapes that you've submitted, and carry on! I’ve always believed, what’s right will be right for me.
Models of Canada: Now’s it’s time to talk about mindset. It truly comes down to confidence which intertwines to your mindset. If your mind isn't ready, then you probably should take a step back until it is because our mind is probably one of the most powerful tools that we have to work with. Either you work at it, or it works for you!
Lindura: My mindset is always looking for what I can do now in the present. Even if it’s just to work on things. During the writers’ strike, there was a lot of downtime and things got a little slower. During those times it was a matter of, “How do I keep myself occupied so that I'm not constantly focusing on what is lacking?”. Instead I wanted to focus on the amazing things that were around me that I was still capable of doing during that time.
Models of Canada: Totally agree! It's your choice to use your time wisely. You can sit in the corner complain about it and think about all the things that are wrong, or you can think of everything that is going right for you, which is usually a lot. We usually tend to think of the negative first, so it’s all about shifting that mindset. You learn to deal with it and make your time valuable.
Lindura: I think honestly, if I didn't have this mindset, I would have quit a long time ago. I remember my first time in Cape Town. It looked incredible like I was doing all these great things, which I was, but it wasn’t consistent. I was broke and not booking enough to be considered a “working model” at the time. So from the outside looking in, everything was all shiny and flashy, but realistically I was asking myself, “What am I doing wrong?”… And that's when I learned to develop that mindset of, “Okay, what's for you is for you, and it will find you.” In the meantime, work on yourself and get better at what you think you want to get better at, but also just trust that what's for you… is coming.” That’s what got me through that feeling of failing to feeling more confident and optimistic about my journey.
Models of Canada: When you were making the transition between modeling and acting, did you notice any key differences? How did you navigate everything as you were going back and forth? Modeling and acting and two different worlds but they do overlap too!
Lindura: I definitely think modeling and acting are more similar than they are different. While I was going through the transition, the biggest technical difference on a surface level is just the terminology. There was a whole set of different roles that I was new to in the acting world so that was a challenge. Just learning the technical side of the business, you know? In terms of acting and modeling overall, I think they're very, very similar. Both involve sometimes long and unpredictable days on set and certain amount of last minute scheduling, while throwing in some travel here and there too. The meaningful part of both worlds is that you are in service of a story in both acting and modeling. I think many don’t realize this in modeling, or maybe that’s not how other models operate and that’s totally ok, but in my brain both modeling and acting have an overall story that's being told and it’s your job to figure out how best to tell the story such that people will feel something.
Also, in the modeling world, it can be something that seems somewhat trivial. For example, the difference between EComm, versus a high fashion editorial, versus a campaign for a very lifestyle brand… All of those different types of shoots have very different stories that they're telling and also very different audiences that are listening to the story. So, when you're showing up on set, at least for me, I'm showing up prepared. I do pretty in depth research on the brand that I'm working for. By doing that, I got more confident! I just starting asking questions on set. Questions like, “What is the vibe here? What are we really going for?” By doing this, I was in better service to the story that they're trying to tell!
Models of Canada: Love how you touched on the topic about asking questions because a lot of models and actors don't think they can ask questions. Did you notice a difference, between professionalism/accountability in the acting world compared to the modeling world?
Lindura: I've been very lucky to work with people that I would consider professionals in both the union and non-union realm, in acting as well as within the modeling industry. I will definitely say, I think that is due to the fact that I have an amazing team — My manager and agents are like my rocks — and also because they have set the standards high. They often do the digging for me. I never feel like I've been put in a situation where it's been unprofessional because I've had lots of people around me to sort of vet others and, you know… build those networks. I feel like I've been very lucky!
I’m also very lucky to work with a lot of people that I align with. I love going to work and meeting new people because I just know that they’re going to be people that I love!
Models of Canada: What you just said is so important and to also let our readers understand that it's “who” a lot of the times you align yourself with, and “who” you put your trust into.
Lindura: I agree! Being vulnerable no matter what part of the industry you’re in, it’s a challenge all in itself. That’s why I love what I do, and I will never get bored because it’s a constant challenge to reveal more parts of myself and learn more than I did the day before. It’s always important to keep yourself open to new experiences and also to new feelings. Being willing to share that! The main difference between acting and modeling for me on a personal level is, I find it harder to be vulnerable when I’m acting versus modeling.
Models of Canada: Thank you so much Lindura for your time today and giving us a behind the mirror look on your modeling and acting journey. It was such a pleasure to get to know the authentic you.
One last question! Are there any specific roles or jobs that you’re looking forward to exploring or landing in the future?
Lindura: Everything! I want to try all the things I haven’t done yet. I’ve done a lot of light and fluffy things because it comes naturally to me and I love it, but I really want to work on some darker projects. Like action, thrillers or better yet give me some “Law and Order!” I just love trying new things, so we’ll see what this year brings!
*Here is some of Linduras work, CTV trailer for season 1 of Sullivan's Crossing. We love this show! Watch it here
Written by: Models of Canada