Gloria Tep Rengma: Step's in the right direction

“Modelling is so much more than looking good. One has to take good care of their mental, spiritual and physical health to survive in this industry. Be yourself, have fun and don’t take the critics too seriously, they don’t define your future, you do,” says Gloria Tep Rengma, a 26-year-old model who was a second runner up at the India’s Next Top Model in 2015.

But, what many people might not know about Gloria is that she is also very passionate about mental health care and awareness. She is currently freelancing and training under a Psychotherapeutic Centre in Bengaluru which helps children seek therapy. Gloria says, “Mental health is often neglected by many, the root cause to a lot of issues people face today is poor mental health care or awareness. There is NO SHAME in seeking mental health care.” Gloria was born and brought up in Nagaland and moved to Bengaluru for her degree at Christ University. She hails from two culturally rich diverse states — her mother is a Naga from Nagaland and her father is a Malayali from Kerala. She feels she has the best of both worlds.

Mental health is something she truly believes in because of her own experiences. “I was at my worst last year, and helpless despite being a masters in psychology and had I not sought therapy god knows what would have happened to me. I feel a lot better; I still go for my personal therapy and seek help to deal with my issues," says the young model. Gloria helps an NGO organise workshops for kids with the Psychotherapeutic Centre she freelances for. She adds, “There are lots of psychotherapy centres, professionals, apps and online help systems. We should help ourselves and others heal without associating shame, fear and guilt to mental health care," Gloria says.

She started modelling as a hobby and she never thought that she would take it up professionally, but Gloria loved the idea of expressing herself through modelling, as it gave her the opportunity to be versatile. Her modelling inspiration is Maye Musk, who, “At 69-years-old is breaking all stereotypes and killing it in an industry where age is made a big criterion to book jobs,” says Gloria. Apart from modelling, Gloria is into gardening and has all kinds of vegetables and flower pots at her apartment in Bengaluru. A passionate traveller, vivid reader, she loves meeting new people and learning about various cultures.

Her message to her former 16-year-old self is, “I would tell myself that my worth or value as a human being is not based on academics or career, perfectly shot pictures, likes or comments, my dress sense, material possessions, having a life partner or awards and achievements. But, just being a human being, embracing life as it is and living in the moment.” Even though, modelling for the Victoria Secrets Show is on her bucket list, she says, “I want to be realistic about things, at the moment I am focused on exploring and working for my new big project in Mumbai.” For which she will be moving soon to the Maximum City!