Tina Kunakey agreed to answer questions from newsoftheworld.top. A first interview confessions to the French press a few days after his shooting with Bella Hadid. Meet an it-girl.
Newsoftheworld.top. Can you tell us about your sunny childhood, between Sicily and the Basque Coast?
Tina Kunakey . Contrary to what can be read in the media, I was not born in Sicily but in Toulouse. I did not stay very long in the pink city. My parents wanted to move to Biarritz, on the Basque coast. They loved visiting this area, even before we had my sister, my brother and I. I lived there until my 15 years before taking off in the direction of Madrid. I wanted to learn Spanish and finish my studies there. I also really launched my career as a model.
Tina Kunakey . Contrary to what can be read in the media, I was not born in Sicily but in Toulouse. I did not stay very long in the pink city. My parents wanted to move to Biarritz, on the Basque coast. They loved visiting this area, even before we had my sister, my brother and I. I lived there until my 15 years before taking off in the direction of Madrid. I wanted to learn Spanish and finish my studies there. I also really launched my career as a model.
You say "contrary to what can be read in the media". Many of them give you a different age, between 18 and 26 years old. How old are you?
It is true that they give me a little all ages. But no, I'm 19 years old! I would be 20 years old on April 5th.
It is true that they give me a little all ages. But no, I'm 19 years old! I would be 20 years old on April 5th.
What is your best memory of childhood?
This is not a moment, it is more a period. The one where I went alone to Madrid, when I took my liberty with my arms. Madrid is a city I love. I did not know her at all before I went, nor did I speak Spanish. I lived in a small apartment near the French high school where I was studying. It was a total freedom. Imagine at 15, I lived alone in my own apartment. I have always been a serious girl but it was at this time that I started to make my first celebrations (laughs).
This is not a moment, it is more a period. The one where I went alone to Madrid, when I took my liberty with my arms. Madrid is a city I love. I did not know her at all before I went, nor did I speak Spanish. I lived in a small apartment near the French high school where I was studying. It was a total freedom. Imagine at 15, I lived alone in my own apartment. I have always been a serious girl but it was at this time that I started to make my first celebrations (laughs).
Tina Kunakey loves Instagram and the idea of "capturing moments".© Patrick Fouque / Paris Match
In this regard, what kind of child were you?
I have always had very good results at school. I was pretty shy but very dynamic. Smaller, the most important thing for me was sport. I was doing a lot of swimming. I even made several times the championships of France! I had a social life and friends, but my daily life was more school / sport. Until the day I got hurt and I had to stop swimming. It was at that moment that I began to know the joys of adolescence, with outings and restaurants with girlfriends.
I have always had very good results at school. I was pretty shy but very dynamic. Smaller, the most important thing for me was sport. I was doing a lot of swimming. I even made several times the championships of France! I had a social life and friends, but my daily life was more school / sport. Until the day I got hurt and I had to stop swimming. It was at that moment that I began to know the joys of adolescence, with outings and restaurants with girlfriends.
"From the age of 8, I was asked a lot"
You often post on Instagram photos of your sister and your brother. The spirit of brotherhood has an important air for you ...
This is not an impression. I am very family. My brother and sister are necessary to my balance. We talk a lot, we never lie, we tell each other. It's the same with my parents. My little brother still lives with them, he is 17 years old. He comes to see me very often! Like me at the time, he did a lot of sport, boxing and rugby. My sister, she did a school of cinema and works today in fashion. She lives in Barcelona. I hope one day to be able to collaborate with her.
This is not an impression. I am very family. My brother and sister are necessary to my balance. We talk a lot, we never lie, we tell each other. It's the same with my parents. My little brother still lives with them, he is 17 years old. He comes to see me very often! Like me at the time, he did a lot of sport, boxing and rugby. My sister, she did a school of cinema and works today in fashion. She lives in Barcelona. I hope one day to be able to collaborate with her.
And your parents? It seems to be a model for you.
My father was born in Morocco, of Togolese origin, then he came to France. My mother is Sicilian. They met in Toulouse. Between them, it was immediately obvious. And it has been going on for over 25 years! For me, they are both real models. It is often said with my little brother that they will never separate because they are too well! (Laughter) They are very complementary. My mother is gentle, protective, never shouting at me. She's my accomplice, a real Italian mama. My father is more strict, but he remains the first person I call when I need advice. It is benevolence in the raw state.
My father was born in Morocco, of Togolese origin, then he came to France. My mother is Sicilian. They met in Toulouse. Between them, it was immediately obvious. And it has been going on for over 25 years! For me, they are both real models. It is often said with my little brother that they will never separate because they are too well! (Laughter) They are very complementary. My mother is gentle, protective, never shouting at me. She's my accomplice, a real Italian mama. My father is more strict, but he remains the first person I call when I need advice. It is benevolence in the raw state.
Tina Kunakey, an it-girl who comes from the south of France.© Patrick Fouque / Paris Match
When did you learn that you will become a model?
From the age of 8, I was asked a lot. My parents did not want me to leave, I was too young. So I was making pictures for local brands like Roxy, Billabong, Quicksilver ... But my dreams were elsewhere. I wanted to do a sports career, until I realized it would never happen. I then left to Madrid to launch myself in modeling with the total confidence of my parents.
From the age of 8, I was asked a lot. My parents did not want me to leave, I was too young. So I was making pictures for local brands like Roxy, Billabong, Quicksilver ... But my dreams were elsewhere. I wanted to do a sports career, until I realized it would never happen. I then left to Madrid to launch myself in modeling with the total confidence of my parents.
"Everything is not true on social networks"
Tell us your first experiences in the world of fashion?
In Madrid, during my first castings, there was a wild side. But I like that, I'm a little wild, too. (Laughter) On the other hand, I was so stressed! You have to know that in this world, at the beginning, you do not choose who you work for. It has no decision-making power, we can only stand and wait ...
Later, I went to London. Alone, once again. I started again from scratch. I did not really speak English, I had to be noticed in sprawling castings. But it was also in London that I experienced one of my most beautiful experiences. I made a short film of 12 minutes with the talented rapper ASAP Rocky.
In Madrid, during my first castings, there was a wild side. But I like that, I'm a little wild, too. (Laughter) On the other hand, I was so stressed! You have to know that in this world, at the beginning, you do not choose who you work for. It has no decision-making power, we can only stand and wait ...
Later, I went to London. Alone, once again. I started again from scratch. I did not really speak English, I had to be noticed in sprawling castings. But it was also in London that I experienced one of my most beautiful experiences. I made a short film of 12 minutes with the talented rapper ASAP Rocky.
Belinda for Mr.Pokora, a shoot with Bella Hadid, projects to come ... the year 2017 promises to be radiant for Tina Kunakey.© Patrick Fouque / Paris Match
In France, your face begins to be known after your appearance in the clip of Mr. Pokora, "Belinda". How did it happen ?
When I landed in Paris, I met Matt with whom I immediately heard very well. We had a lot of friends in common, we frequented pretty much the same places. We stayed on good terms. And one day he proposed to me this project: to be Belinda! How could I have refused! Today, I can say that Matt is a friend. He offered me a real visibility in France.
When I landed in Paris, I met Matt with whom I immediately heard very well. We had a lot of friends in common, we frequented pretty much the same places. We stayed on good terms. And one day he proposed to me this project: to be Belinda! How could I have refused! Today, I can say that Matt is a friend. He offered me a real visibility in France.
How do you live this growing media coverage?
Slowly. I keep my head on my shoulders. And people have to keep this in mind: on social networks, there is everything and its opposite. You can make everything believe, you can let everything appear. All is not true! We make a little believe what we want. We show what we want ... or not.
Slowly. I keep my head on my shoulders. And people have to keep this in mind: on social networks, there is everything and its opposite. You can make everything believe, you can let everything appear. All is not true! We make a little believe what we want. We show what we want ... or not.
You say that but the place of social networks seems very important in your career?
I like Instagram . I find it interesting to be able to share a small part of his life with his friends and others. Again what we decided to show. But it is important of course for my visibility. On the site of my agency IMG Models there is a link that refers to my Instagram. A casting director will always look at the influence of a personality. Regarding Twitter and Snapchat on the other hand, it does not interest me; But never say never. On Instagram, I like the idea of photographing moments, capturing moments that will not happen again.
I like Instagram . I find it interesting to be able to share a small part of his life with his friends and others. Again what we decided to show. But it is important of course for my visibility. On the site of my agency IMG Models there is a link that refers to my Instagram. A casting director will always look at the influence of a personality. Regarding Twitter and Snapchat on the other hand, it does not interest me; But never say never. On Instagram, I like the idea of photographing moments, capturing moments that will not happen again.
"I'm happy with Vincent"
You went to Victoria 's Secret with Vincent Cassel. How do you formalize your relationship?
I really wanted to go to the show Victoria's Secret and Vincent surprised me to bring me there . So if the question is "Am I happy at this time?", The answer is yes.
I really wanted to go to the show Victoria's Secret and Vincent surprised me to bring me there . So if the question is "Am I happy at this time?", The answer is yes.
How did you meet?
We met somewhat like everyone else. Two people who find themselves in the same place and at the same time, attracted to each other. It is one of the beautiful surprises of life. And if you want to know since when we are together, again, contrary to what is said about us two, we did not meet this summer! (Laughter)
We met somewhat like everyone else. Two people who find themselves in the same place and at the same time, attracted to each other. It is one of the beautiful surprises of life. And if you want to know since when we are together, again, contrary to what is said about us two, we did not meet this summer! (Laughter)
Tina Kunakey and Vincent Cassel at the Victoria's Secret fashion show in Paris on November 30, 2016.© BOV / Bestimage
At 19, you have already aware of the need to protect privacy ...
Yes, still a little bit. We put so much emphasis on social networks that when we can keep a small garden secret for us it's nice. In addition, I work with my image, I take pictures every day. So even though I'm willing to share things with people, I'm not ready to give anything.
Yes, still a little bit. We put so much emphasis on social networks that when we can keep a small garden secret for us it's nice. In addition, I work with my image, I take pictures every day. So even though I'm willing to share things with people, I'm not ready to give anything.
What are your plans for the coming months?
I always say these words to my relatives when they want to visit me: '' Take your ticket if you want, but I'm not sure I'm here. '' At this moment, I do not know where I will be the next day. For example, our appointment was stalled the day before.
I always say these words to my relatives when they want to visit me: '' Take your ticket if you want, but I'm not sure I'm here. '' At this moment, I do not know where I will be the next day. For example, our appointment was stalled the day before.
Otherwise I just did a shoot with Bella Hadid , a campaign planned for 2017. Recently, I VOLCOM brand ambassador, whose magnificent Georgia Jagger is the face. Many projects in common are coming ... And I also have other contracts which I can not speak for the moment.
How do your parents look at your career today?
I think my parents are proud of me. When I made the cover of the "Marie-Claire Italy", my mother and my maternal grandparents were in awe, admiring the work I had done with Koto Bolofo. They were also very happy to see me appear in the pages of "Vogue Italy" last August. My father always loved the artistic style and the great energy of Ellen Von Unwerth.
Wherever my family lives, whether in Sicily, France or Togo, I get many encouragement. It helps me a lot. As my parents always tell me: "As long as you are happy, all is well". This is the case today.
A blossoming family, a sublime Belinda, a shoot with Bella Hadid, a woman in love ... what a beautiful year 2016! Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
It's a tough question when you're 19 years old. I would like to live in Madrid. It was a city that marked me. I see myself well in an apartment with the through light and people shouting in the street. On the professional side, it's just as complicated to project me, I hardly start. One thing is for sure I love beautiful women. I love Irina Shayk, Cindy Bruna, Joan Smalls, and Bella Hadid with whom I've worked recently. I would like to have the chance to create a small place among them.
My parents gave me an incredible education, thanks to them I traveled a lot, seen the world and its different facets. I speak English, Spanish, French, some Italian. The least I can do to pay them homage is to stay myself.
