Antoinette Kabanyana’s Time to Shine

A few years ago, a beautiful young Antoinette Kabanyana emerged on the modelling scene. Even though she had a lot of promise, many doubted her ability to survive and become a star,on account of the fact that this is an industry that is dull.

Thursday, March 08, 2012
Antoinette Kabanyana

A few years ago, a beautiful young Antoinette Kabanyana emerged on the modelling scene. Even though she had a lot of promise, many doubted her ability to survive and become a star,on account of the fact that this is an industry that is dull.Today, Kabanyana has confounded all the naysayers and is on her way to becoming an industry great. Instructively, she is sprinkling gold dust on the model circuit with her unique skills and great body.If, at the time, people thought leaving Prime Model Agency (PMA) in 2010 would ruin her career, her consistent and superb determination to pursue her own solo career, swiftly dispelled those erroneous impressions of her.She is now one of the few aspiring models in the country, and from the time she got into the limelight, there has been no let or fail. She has acquitted herself very well.Now Kabanyana is a household name -in fact she has transcended into a strong brand. She has participated in various fashion shows, and beyond that, she is on course to achieving international acclaim. She co-runs a modelling agency called Rwanda Independent Models (RIM) in partnership with some local models. Talking about her dream, the 1.72 m and 56 kg model, told The New Times  that she had wished to become a doctor, but switched her dream to modelling, which has since become her passion. She is an intelligent, confident and hardworking young woman. The former Miss East Africa contestant says that she hopes her talent will take her as far as she wants to take it.She urges parents to help their children discover their personal dreams by supporting their talents."Modeling is not yet popular in Rwanda; worse enough, some people have negative views towards it,” Kabanyana says. "It is a business like other businesses and if given value, can support those doing it as well as society,” she adds. "I am a very busy lady and I always have to juggle around things. I also have two jobs on top of that…but perfection is my favourite vocabulary,” Kabanyana says. She started modelling in 2008 and signed a contract with Premiere Model Agency in the fall of 2009."I gained a lot of exposure, skills and confidence while at PMA, and I am so grateful for the opportunity I was given, but I had to quit the company to develop a solo career in modelling,” she concludes.The 22-year-old cites her hobbies as swimming, watching movies, listening to music and visiting animals.