“Don’t sweat the small stuff!” By Cheryl Koh
You will stare when Junita Simon walks past you. Tall and beautiful, with bright eyes and an immaculate smile, she has the makings of the runway models you see on television. Afterall, she was the face that launched Fashion Unlimited, a popular television programme that discusses the latest fashion trends and styles. Born to a Singaporean father and European mother, Junita is no stranger to the glamour and glitz of the media industry. “I have modeled for local and regional
magazines, shows, high-end labels such as Olay, Nivea, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Dior and many others,” she shares when I ask her to name a few big names she’s worked with.
But don’t be so quick to scoff and brush her off as just another pretty face that has graced numerous newsstands because she is the perfect mix of beauty and brains, we’re sure. Junita has hosted various black-tie events – big names like Samsung, Liz Claiborne, Chanel, Jaeger-Lecoultre, Aigner and Breitling – and those certainly aren’t simple tasks. “Hosting needs a lot more brain. It is scary. I’ve been the emcee for events with ministers and big shots, it can be pretty daunting and stressful! For instance, if the event is for a product, I must do ‘homework’. I’ve to study and understand the event or product I’ll be talking about.” Despite having rubbed shoulders with the rich and famous, Junita is very much the typical Singaporean most are. “In the mornings, I send my son to school. When I’m home I log on to the computer for about 2 to 3 hours before I make my way out if I have work for the day.”
Ezyhealth & Beauty: Hi, Junita. It’s been some time since you took a break off the modeling scene. Do share what you have been up to recently.
Junita Simon: I emcee and model on a freelance basis nowadays. I model usually for friends or if the money is good (laughs). I prefer working on a freelance because I have more time for my son. It’s a good arrangement for I have never wanted to work on a full time basis. About three weeks ago, I did a Mother’s Day recording for ‘We Are Singaporeans’.
EHB: Tell us a little of your work as a model and emcee. Junita: I have modeled for local and regional magazines, shows, high-end labels such as Olay, Nivea, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Dior and many others. I used to travel quite a bit, especially round the Asia region such as Taipei, Jakarta, Bangkok, Manila and Kuala Lumpur to work with different labels. Besides being based in Singapore, I have been based in Hong Kong, London and Paris. For quite a long period of time, I was based in Hong Kong, then London. Emceeing-wise, I emceed for corporate and fashion events. Some of the bigger names I’ve emceed for are Porsche, Chanel, Breitling, Aigner and more. Other TV work included the interviewing of designers such as Yves Saint Laurent, Calvin Klein, and well-known models such as Amber Valetta, Carla Bruni who is now the 1st lady of France, as well as celebrities including Sonia Krueger, Ivana Trump and Sharon Stone to name a few.
EHB: We know it has been awhile back. But what made you decide to enter the modeling scene? Junita: When I was still in school, I came across an ad for models on a magazine by chance and submitted my photographs. My photos were passed to Hanis Hussey, a Singaporean model who made it in Paris and later opened a modeling agency in Singapore. Anyway, things took off from there, and I started working part-time whilst I was studying. When I completed my studies, I started modeling full-time. Modeling was never something I had planned to get into, it just came along!
EHB: In 1995, you won the Ford Supermodel of the World Singapore contest. Share the experience with us.
Junita: The contest was great fun! It was held in Las Vegas and I was in the Top 10. Of course, I got to meet people from all over the world. Aside from all that hype, the contest was, for me, a stepping stone to many things.
EHB: You’ve done your fair share of hosting and modeling for luxury brands such as Chanel and Louis Vuitton, and other big labels. Which do you prefer doing, and is modeling and hosting very different?
Junita: Alright, here’s the truth. Modeling is way easier, you stand there and try to look good in the outfit you have on! You don’t open your mouth, you don’t have to think what to say next and worry about saying the right thing. Hosting and emceeing, on the other hand, needs a lot more brain. It is scary. I’ve been the emcee for events with ministers and big shots, it can be pretty daunting and stressful! For instance, if the event is for a product, I must do ‘homework’. I’ve to study and understand the event or product I’ll be talking about. Sometimes, there are last minute changes as well, I’ve to be ready for those.
EHB: You are a mother to an adorable 5 year old son today. How has motherhood changed you?
Junita: I guess motherhood would have the same effect on about every mother. Everything is for my son, everything is centered round him. I no longer put myself first. Instead of getting myself a bag from the latest season, I rather buy something for my son. As long as my son is healthy and happy, everything else is secondary. Also, I’ve learnt not to sweat the small stuff! When you are a mom, you realize the things that you used to worry about in the past, no longer seem as important. Your child’s welfare is all that matters.
EHB: Many ladies out there put on weight the moment they give birth. What’s your secret to maintaining so svelte?
Junita: I did a few slimming wraps when I first gave birth. But I really have to attribute my slim build to good genes and a little luck, I guess. I’ve always been the skinny type, and I lost the weight I put on during pregnancy very quickly.
EHB: Any plans for the second child?
Junita: (Laughs) Not at the moment!
EHB: Any parenting tips you wish to share with our readers?
Junita: I believe in routines for children. When my son was younger, I put him into a routine so he will know what is expected of him everyday. Now that he is older and can understand, I practice reasoning with him. I tell him why he shouldn’t behave the way he should, and how he can manage situations. I sit him down and talk to him, I try to reason before I take other disciplinary measures. When we are out and he needs a scolding, I don’t do it in public because kids have their pride too. Instead, I pull him to a side and tell him sternly what he did wrong. But I’m blessed to have my son. He’s an easy child who has no problems with hmeals and rarely throws tantrums.
EHB: Any must-have beauty tips for readers?
Junita: Drink lots of water and always put on sunblock!
EHB: How do you keep yourself healthy to care for your family?
Junita: I was brought up to be health conscious. My parents ensured my sister and I ate healthily. We often had home-cooked healthy dishes of vegetables, soup and chicken. We would go with skim milk instead of the usual fat milk. Of course we had our fair share of unhealthy dishes like fried chicken, but we made sure we didn’t have them everyday. We ate out only once every weekend, either a Saturday or Sunday. Healthy eating was all about having balanced diets. I have brought these habits into my own family now.
EHB: What is a typical day like in the life of Junita Simon?
Junita: In the mornings, I send my son to school. When I’m home I log on to the computer for about 2 to 3 hours before I make my way out if I have work for the day. My parents are a big help, I know my son is in good hands whenever my parents take over the babysitting. I enjoy a good read or a relaxing swim whenever I’ve time to spare.
