Sometimes an innocuous teenybopper and a genius storyteller at the other times, the sultry catwalk diva who has had walked for the likes of Salvatore Ferragamo, loves be a yoga pants errand and be zeroed in Tintin Comics. Here is glamour-girl-next-door Julia Datt uncensored.  

Tell us something about your formative years and family?
I spent my childhood running around in the sun on our family farm in Melbourne, Australia. I’m the youngest of three and my family is one of the oldest Indian clans in Australia, having migrated 42 years prior.

Tell us something about your journey as a model. How it happened to you?
I was scouted at 13 as an awkward, gangly teen but my parents forbade me to pursue modeling even part-time, until I finished school at the age of 17. I completed my college degree and only then I was allowed to delve into it fulltime at the age of 22. It was then that I came to India and have not looked back since.

Don’t you think modeling comes with a very short shelf life? So what plans have you held for yourself?
I feel that internationally girls start much younger, from around the age of 12-14. We in Australia are actually encouraged to enter ‘Model Searches’, held by popular teen magazines however the height requirements are very strict. I am considered short for a model internationally at 5’9. It is also expected that one’s modeling career comes to a natural end by around 24, assuming the person has spent at least five years as a working model.

However, in India, most people start modeling quite late at around 18-24, hence the time-span is different. There are no extremely strict restrictions on look, height or weight. Also in India, especially for ramp, one can continue modeling until well into their 30s and 40s.

I only started modeling in India to pay the bills while I made myself fluent in speaking, reading and writing Hindi and Urdu. I started acting in Australia at the age of seven, so I plan to continue this in India with film. After a year and a half of study, I think I’m ready.

What do you like and dislike most about modeling?
With modeling I’ve been able to indulge my teenage girly Barbie fantasies. It’s fun, it’s frivolous, it’s ‘for now’.
I’m a pretty low-maintenance girl looks-wise, so I dislike having to wash the gunk out of my hair and attempting to slough off the truck-load of makeup after every shoot or show.
The job is so public and glamorous that my ‘aunty’ tendencies have also increased after becoming a professional model.  When I’m not working, I tend to stay home a lot and have people come home, rather than go out. I run around in yoga pants and no makeup. It’s liberating being normal.

The green rooms have always been a land of wonder and curiosity for an outsider…..Tell us something about how you girls gel up, what you talk, what you think et al? Give us a brief into backstage through eyes of Julia.

I’m lucky to share a good rapport with most of the girls. For me, the scene works like this: enter, squeal and hug the designer, squeal and hug the models you know, smile at the ones you don’t, ignore the male models, and discuss the requisite typical girly things – work, fashion, boys, and the escalating price of rickshaw fares.

Then, try on outfits, twirl around, giggle, take silly pictures – all very pre-teen behavior. Then, I usually retreat to a corner to bury my nose in my Hindi books – the latest craze is Tintin comics. Hair and makeup starts, with the stylist lamenting over the condition of my locks and telling me I should do Hair Spa. It’s like one big sleepover!

Which designers have you walked for nationally and internationally? Who appeals your aesthetic senses most?
RAMP- Lakme Fashion Week since 2011 – Neeta Lulla, Babita Malkani, Vikram Phadnis, Lina Tipnis, Nishka Lulla, Archana Kochhar and more, plus international designer Salvatore Ferragamo. IIFA Awards 2012 in Singapore

Which other projects have you been part of?
HOARDINGS: Lamborghini (to be released), Creo, Kemps Corner (to be released). CAMPAIGNS: Kingfisher Calendar Hunt 2012, Axe/Provogue for Kingfisher

Are you associated with any social causes?
Since childhood I’ve been involved in charity work, mainly causes for the betterment of children and the homeless. I want to find a charity here in India where I can be proactively involved, rather than simply donating money.

It is often said that models in India are quite less paid than their contemporaries around the world. Do you really think so? What’s your take on this?
I think it’s all relative. I’ve worked as a model in New York where you get paid $200 an hour – which lasts about a day in a city like that. I manage to save my rupees much more diligently ;)

Modeling industry in India is often alleged of working in cliques based on favoritism. How hard is it to move ahead in this industry?
I live in my own world and I’m quite oblivious to any cliques. Some very big choreographers have personally taken me under their wing and mentored me, so I can’t say I’ve experienced this. My take on life is simple- be sincere, smiley and simple. It’s worked so far.

How is Julia as a person, which books do you like, what sort of music do you enjoy and all that comprises the most essential part of you other than modeling?
I used to be a real bookworm as a kid, I like reading everything from fiction to Wikipedia.  
Love all music except heavy metal- I can also rap (stemming from an early childhood obsession with the American culture).

I love doing outdoor sports: fishing, jet-skiing, swimming, boating, zip-lining, rollercoasters – lots of adrenaline-inducing stuff.

What is your fitness and beauty regime? I mean, what do you do to always look so presentable?
I oscillate between extreme fitness and extreme laziness. Extreme fitness activities include tae kwon do, dancing, yoga, running, swimming. Extreme laziness activities include sleeping, eating, lounging around, thinking about going for a run, then deciding to chuck it and have dessert instead.  

I do try to eat well though, lots of lean protein and fresh vegetables and always take good care of my skin.

What is your greatest achievement till date?
I guess it was tearing out of my comfort zone and plonking myself in a country where I had zero friends, family, job or knowledge of the language or culture – either this or bungee jumping at the age of 12 in New Zealand.

How does Julia like to style herself up?
Gosh. It’s been so long since I’ve styled up for personal events. On my birthday this year I didn’t even dress up. I used to be completely obsessed with fashion -now I just don’t actively practice it anymore. I do love everything that’s worn on Gossip Girl though :)

How do you spend your leisure time?
Refer to exercise and non-exercise activities (while in India) and outdoor sports (while in Australia).

Peek – A – Boo

Favourite food: Lamb chops, bacon, blueberry cheesecake, chocolate brownies, cheese, salami, olives, hummous, swordfish (how long do you have?)

Favourite holiday destination: Anywhere with a beach.

Your greatest fear: To have not experienced everything I want to.

What do you love and hate most? I try not to hate anyone or anything

What are you addicted to (if any)? Tea!

Guilty Pleasure: Mango pickle straight out of the jar!