New Delhi,[India] Oct 12 (ANI): Graceful, humble and charming!

Meet Supermodel, Ketholeno Kense Vihienuo, who belongs to one of Nagaland's biggest tribes, Angami community. Ketholeno first took up modelling only as a hobby, but when she got her first breakthrough in the industry by winning the Kingfisher Calendar Girl in 2014, things turned around and there was no holding her back.

Since then, she has been steadily rising in the industry and achieved one of the country's premiere fashion and lifestyle magazines, Vogue India's Women of the Year Award 2017, under the category of Vogue and Colours Infinity Young Achievers.

"They were actually so kind that they chose me. I was very excited but this excitement was not only for myself and for me achieving this award, but I felt very that now at the national level, our people like our oriental faces from the northeast region will also be able to come forward. So with that thought only I was overwhelmed and they believe in diversity. For a magazine that keeps on shooting all these Bollywood celebrities, for them to acknowledge northeastern girl, it's really amazing," said Ketholeno Kense Vihienuo, a supermodel from Nagaland.

Ketholeno appeared on Vogue Magazine Cover alongside Bollywood heart throb Ranbir Kapoor for September 2016 Edition. Moreover, she was also featured in Harper's Bazaar Bride India June -July 2016 Edition and many others glam magazines including ELLE magazine.

Being the eldest of six siblings has taught her to be more responsible and focussed and now these enigmatic traits are helping her professionally, be it walking down the ramp, photoshoots or even, while interacting with upcoming models.

Though she comes from a place where people of the region are mostly food lovers, Ketholeno eats a very restricted diet and does a regimented work-out to keep herself in shape.

She further said, "We all know that people from the hills hardly exercise and we eat a lot of rice. For me, to be a model, that was a difficult part. To eat a lot of rice was definitely hard but over the years, I have realised that, you just need to push yourself, eat whatever you want and exercise a lot but of course try to eat healthy, because there are a lot of healthy options that we can eat. So now, my focus is on eating healthy and exercising a lot."

When asked on how to manage the last minute rush before takes on the stage, Ketholeno, by being mastering the art form, confides that by focusing on the music flow helps her walk the ramp confident and rest is the history.

Married to Rokovor Vihienuo, a photographer, Ketholeno spends her free time in flower gardening or catching up with friends.

"My own family has been really supportive since the beginning. That's why only I started and I started very peacefully, there was no stopping from anybody so it was amazing. And now my husband also very supportive and he is really amazing. I don't think I would ever be here working today if it is not his support like after our marriage. So he is very supportive," said Ketholeno.

Ketholeno's better half, Rokovor Vihienuo, is all supportive and he is happy that she is doing of what she loves to do.

He further said, "She is just been starting of her career and I don't want her to stop when she can. I want her to push herself more towards her dream because later, she might not get it. I am also very proud of my wife for her achievements and awards and it feels really good as a husband. I wish I could be with her every time for her shoots or for an award, but I am not able to join her all the time because of my work as well. But I am very proud of her of what she is today."

Ketholeno has come a long way from her humble beginning, though still rooted to her culture; this young Naga girl is striving to promote the northeast region with all her daring and might.

With her hard work, achievements and recognition, she is an inspiration to many especially the youngsters from the region.

"Definitely, modelling is a very short term career. And I am being thinking to do something; I really want to promote the northeast stuffs in particularly. I am sure there are a lot people already started up but I definitely wanted to do something to promote the northeast traditional items, textiles etc. I feel like it will generate more income," added Ketholeno.

Like anyone of us Ketholeno also has a wish list, and in years down the lane, she wants to walk down the ramp for Chanel. (ANI)


This story has not been edited. It has been published as provided by ANI