Today we’d like to introduce you to Kidist Girum.
Hi Kidist, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
Hi Thank you for giving me this chance and for letting me share my story. I started modeling when I was 16 years old. I was pretty tall for my age then (currently 1:74 cm), so people often suggested that I should play basketball or be a model because of my height. These comments got me curious, so I started watching runway videos and paying close attention to the lifestyles of models and celebrities. That’s when I became more interested in the industry, which soon turned into a passion I wanted to pursue. I started training myself by watching videos on YouTube because there were no modeling schools in my town. I registered to get basketball training and started playing basketball as well. In 2017, I got my first recognition when I competed for and won the miss Addis Ababa University title. As for basketball, I joined my University’s basketball team (Addis Ababa University) and my region’s team (Amhara city). Academics are important to me, so I pursued a program that brought together the things I was passionate about through a Bachelor’s degree in Performing and Visual Arts. My academic background and passion for the arts have shaped who I am today and opened many doors of opportunity. I can now confidently say that I am an artist. I have been part of different commercials and been exposed to varying runways during my 1-year stay in Uganda, East Africa. I’m currently exploring various opportunities with agencies in New York. I plan to continue learning and growing in the industry.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
The journey to where I am right now has not been a smooth road. I have had to overcome various struggles and have learned many valuable lessons. I come from a small city in Ethiopia known as Bahir dar. There were no modeling schools in my small town, so I had to become my own teacher by creating creative ways of learning about the industry. Youtube became my school, and I watched endless videos about catwalks and every other important information about the industry. The biggest challenge I faced was that my parents weren’t supportive of my becoming a model. They wanted me to focus on school and become a doctor or engineer. I had no interest in pursuing any of the career choices my family wanted for me, so this created a lot of tension and friction in my relationship with my family. I enrolled in the Natural Science department to help decrease some of the pressure on my family. However, I soon realized that my heart was still in the Arts, so I changed my Major to Art. The nature of my job as a model has brought me in contact with many types of people. Through those interactions, I have had to deal with uncomfortable situations.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a woman who is very intentional about the roles I take on, and through that, I have been able to do things that align with my purpose and passion. I am a; model, artist, writer, director, actress, wedding planner, makeup artist, and basketball player. I’m proud of myself for making it through all my struggles and getting to where I am now. Regardless of all the Negativity and No’s from society, I continue to pursue my passion wholeheartedly, knowing that my determination will pay off in the long run.
What makes you happy?
My greatest joy comes from helping and being there when someone needs me. My love for helping others comes from my experiences growing up, where I did not have people around me when I needed them the most. I never want people to experience that sort of loneliness. I know how it feels when you don’t have anyone you can ask for help from, so I always try my best to make sure others don’t experience that emotion when I am around.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: kiddy_girum
- Youtube: Kiddy girum
Image Credits
@samstudioethiopia
@amanaserat
@meklitme
@brushbytereza
@makeupbytame
