Model Sera Lubowa |Interview by: DP November 2007

“Heaven feels 100 times better when you’ve been through Hell.” –Sera

They say that everything is bigger in Texas. That statement couldn’t be anymore true when you look at the physique of 20 year old Ugandan born model, Sera Lubowa. Living in Texas , the student-slash-model has featured in beauty pageants and is on her way to become a top model. DP sat down with Sarah to talk about her upbringing, her schooling, plans for the modelling industry and what type of guys she dates.

DP: Give the readers a brief summary about where you are from and all that intro stuff

I was born in Kampala, Uganda. I have 3 brothers and 2 sisters. I’m half Rwandan and half Ugandan. When I was 6, I moved to Paris, France and then to Texas, USA to live with my Mother and Stepfather who is from Burundi. So as you can see, my family is mixed with many beautiful backgrounds, that’s why I have so much to offer. I was enrolled in dance classes at age 7 to help me cope with my new world. I’ve always been on stage and an honor student since then.

DP: In urban modeling, there’s a lot of emphasis placed on a woman’s “assets.” With that being so popular in magazines and music videos, is it a gift or a curse when regular men try to approach you?

I believe it’s a gift. God made us all a certain way and for someone to find God’s work to be beautiful, then that is appreciated. The only time when people abuse that beauty is when they ONLY view the sexual side of it. Females with big butts and breasts are viewed as sexual symbols. There is no harm in finding someone beautiful, as long as you do it in a respectful manner.

DP: Contrary to your pictures, you’re not trying to be a model, correct?

I am actually trying to be a model. I’m going for the Editorial side of modeling like fashion magazines, runway, and activism. Like Naomi and Iman, I want to use my features and ethnicity to show a different side of beauty.

DP: How does your physical beauty help and hinder your career?

It helps in the way that men want to listen to me when I talk. Females tend to take my advice more when it comes to health and hygiene.
It hiders it when all people sometimes see is the looks. They don’t see the degrees I’ve earned or the personality sometimes until they get to know me.

DP: You’re one of the few exceptions where I’ve seen a woman be supremely motivated while still in college. What sparked you to be on the grind so early.

Coming from Africa to a new world, us ladies are told at a young age that education will get you EVERYTHING you want. I saw my mother, my Aunts and friends of the family struggle to make it. It’s a male dominated world and females have to do twice as well to make it at the same level, and being a black woman makes it 3 times harder! It’s better to achieve as much as possible while I’m young so that when I get older, I can enjoy the seeds I’ve sewn. Without education and the drive to become someone great and powerful in a POSITIVE way…where will we end up? My goal is to be known for things I have achieved. To be remembered for whom I helped, for whom I proved wrong along the way. If my looks get me there, then so be it.

DP: What would you say has been the most memorable moment in your career, so far?

The Miss Africa USA Pageant by far was the most memorable so far! Hey, I’m only 20 years old so I have much more to do. I’ve never been the type of girl to only use my looks to get me places. Doing this Scholarship – Beauty Pageant was more than what people saw. The pageant represented the other side of African women. It gave us the opportunity to showcase our talents, intelligence, and personalities. It was ONLY the beginning for me.

DP: Well, I know that there’s probably a lot of noise made about your lady humps, but what do you like most about yourself?

LOL…yeah, the humps get noticed! The thing I like most about myself is my sense of humor. You can ask anyone that really knows me, and they will tell you that I LOVE to laugh! I pull pranks, make jokes and smile constantly. God gave me the power to make people feel better so I use it!

DP: Now, you don’t want to just be known as a girl who shows it all off for the camera. What other plans do you have for yourself when this modeling thing gets stale?

That’s a great question. The one thing that ladies need to know is that they don’t have to stop at one thing! I have a Performing Arts Degree for Singing, Acting, and Dance. I’m in school right now for Hospice Nursing. After this I plan on opening a Dance school in Uganda. I want to choreograph people’s music videos and concerts. After I get too brittle to dance, I will use my nursing degree to help those that are about to pass away.

DP: I’m pretty sure guys all over would love to be with you. What ticks when it comes to the opposite sex trying to get on with you?

No smokers!!! I like gentlemen. I love it when a man has that certain swagger that says, “I’m educated, I’m focused, I’m God fearing and I will take care of you.” It’s all about honesty and the ability to keep me interested in you. I don’t play games, I pick up on things real quickly and I always go to God before I make a decision. My mother taught me to rely on my intelligence and that’s why I’ve made great choices.

DP: I usually ask models what got them interested in modeling – but my question for you is somewhat different. What keeps you involved in a profession where some would think that you’re only doing it for some quick exposure?

I do it for girls like me. I learned a long time ago not to listen the negative, to really listen to myself. I want dark skinned ladies to take what they deserve – respect. There will be a day when we no longer are portrayed as loud, mean, ugly or stupid. I keep on doing this so that one day it really will be okay for us to be the chosen girls for videos and movie roles. I want to improve African women’s self esteem, even those that are not dark skinned.

DP: Most people would say that being an urban model is the only way for beautiful Black women to get a foot into the entertainment business. Do you believe that to be true?

NO WAY! God gave us brains for a reason – to use them! We can be anything we want. We can even rule the world if only we stop listening to the stereotypes. We can break the rules and go for what no body expected. See, that’s the great thing about black women, we are more powerful than the world thinks. Therefore, we can manipulate things for the better. We are so beautiful; I get excited thinking of the possibilities!

DP: Have you ever been discriminated against during a job because of skin color preference?

To be honest, no I haven’t…outside of my job, yes, but I have always upheld a professional Image at work to where I never gave anyone a chance to put me down. If they did, it was behind my back and through jealousy.

DP: I’m pretty sure that men don’t have a hard time approaching you, but when have you found yourself unable to talk to a man?

Actually, because of my looks, men don’t approach me. I find that they are afraid of rejection. I’ve always been able to talk to men. I’ve always been able to talk to anyone of any age, gender, or color because I just view people as people. We are all just people with similar feelings and thoughts; I don’t understand nervousness and fear when it comes to people.

DP: Ultimately – what do you see yourself having or creating for yourself in the next few years?

I’m planning to have and empire of confident men and women working with me. I want to really help the world. I want to give black people their confidence back. I want to squash the negativity.
Right now, I’m with a foundation called KACI & I. It stands for Keep A Child Informed & Inspired. We have a group of kids ranging from age 5 to 22. We put on shows and spread the love of education and faith through music and dance. I love those kids and they make me feel like I’m giving back to God. I want these kids to grow up and stay positive. The world is getting more negative and I want to keep them safe. Maybe what I teach them will stay with them as they grow.
I want to be famous for being GOOD if that makes sense. God help me because honestly, I want more positivism in the world.

For more on Sera check out her Myspace page