Local model prepares for life in LA
STRUBEN'S VALLEY – Tommy Lubbe prepares to represent South Africa in World Championships.
South African model, Tommy Lubbe (31) is poised to leave for Long Beach, California on 6 July having won the South African leg of the World Championships of Performing Arts. The competition is in its 18th year and representatives from countries around the world compete in a number of categories, such as dancing, acting, singing, modelling and instrumentals.
South African born Lubbe (who splits his time between Fairland and Struben’s Valley) is no stranger to modelling. After matriculating in 2001 from Wesvalia High School in the Northwest, he’d originally wanted to be a pilot. That same year he saw the New Face Modelling Competition advertised in the paper and entered on a whim. As one of the top three males, he was scouted and went over to Italy, where he remained for seven years. After a number of successful campaigns for large fashion houses, he returned home.
After being introduced to Shareen Swart he attended her acting school in Pretoria for about three years. In the interim he’s started a production and auditing company with his twin brother, Kobus – Lubrock Productions.
Once he returns on 22 July, he has to wait on the rigorous visa process to acquire his work permit for the United States. This is owing to projects he has lined up for the near future – a movie, a music video and later in the year, a sitcom. He plans to relocate permanently. “That’s the way my career is headed.” He continued, “Eventually my partner of 10 years, Miranda Boshoff, will move over and that is where we plan to settle.”
When asked about the top three things he would tell aspiring models, he is adamant the first is to keep one’s faith. He found it really lonely – he would miss birthdays and Christmases owing to his work schedule. Second, he strongly advised, “Never sell your soul. The modelling industry has a very dark side – with drug use, the pressure to be skinny, the cliché of sleeping your way to the top.” Finally, one should never forget one’s origins. “Stay grounded – it’s possible to achieve anything you want in life if you are willing to work hard for it.”
