AVID watchers of TV will no doubt know Phoo Myat Thwe from her performances in the training programs broadcast on MRTV on ethics and morals. As you can imagine, Time out was a little surprised to see her walking down the catwalk at a recent show held in Yangon. With her second prize in the Miss Now How 2007 competition, Phoo Myat Thwe has evidently grown up. Time out caught up with the 19-year old to quiz her about her new appearance and goals.

You were very young when you acted in the programs on MRTV, how did you get involved with them?
Phoo Myat Thwe: When they called auditions for the programs, I was so interested that I pushed my parents to let me act. I had to compete step by step and finally I passed the screening tests. I also participated in some radio broadcasts and child programs created by UNICEF.

We see you’ve also acted in some films.?
Yeah, I starred in three Academy award-winning films as a child performer.

So why have you been absent from acting recently?
My parents wanted me to completely focus on my education. I stopped all my performing activities at the age of 11.

So how did you persuade your parents to let you start acting again?
There is some give and take between my parents and me. I promised that I would balance both my education and acting. I try hard in both fields. My parents also accept my strong desire to act and they have backed me in my choice of career.

What about your return as a model?
That’s by chance. After I passed my high school exam, I saw the announcements of the Miss Now How contest. It was a good opportunity for me to actualise my dream again so I took the chance.

How did you feel being on the catwalk at the first show?
Amazing. I was so excited before the show started. But when I saw the audience I felt happy instead of fearful. I realised that I love modelling, too.

What attracts you to modelling?
It’s a way of acting too but a little different. Most people think modelling is only walking but even the walking is interesting because your moods can change according to the events. For instance, when you model the jeans, you should look quite active and lively wearing them. When you wear a gown, your mood becomes gentle. It all depends on what you are modelling.

Have you done a modelling course?
No. But I read fashion magazines and watch movies. For the Miss Now
How contest, they provided a short course for the finalists. So I
learnt how to walk smartly thanks to the course.

How has modelling changed you?
Though I’ve always loved beauty and style since I was young, I think I wasn’t modish before. I didn’t care too much about my look and behaved as I wished. If I was in a hurry, of course, I would run. But as a model, I take care about every move I make and I always try to be stylish.

Do you think the future will be spent acting or modelling?
I love acting. Whether I act or model, I do my best. But I hope to do both in the future.

But we heard that you don’t accept every invitation?
Yes, it’s not that I’m arrogant but because I have a busy timetable. I’m doing a second year French course in UFL and another course with Alliance Française. I always have exams, tutorials and classes and my parents don’t like me skipping the classes though they do allow me to do what I love. So, I can’t participate at every event I am invited to. It’s really difficult to do two things at the same time. But I believe I can achieve if I try harder than others. I hope my fans understand this.