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Model, TikTok star and psychology student : Nathalie Ranchamarage

16 May 2021

By Mahika Panditha If you guys have not been able to tell, as of late, the TikTok bug has got the best of me and I have spent countless hours just scrolling aimlessly. I know I am not alone because our cover story today (whom I actually came across on TikTok) has the guilty pleasure of doing the same. Meet Nathalie Ranchamarage. You might know her as @nathalie_r9 on TikTok or @nat_jbcraze on Instagram. You have also probably seen her face as she is a talented model too! Aside from making TikToks and modelling, she is also the co-owner of an online thrift store (@s3cond_editions) you should all check out. She is currently pursuing her studies to be a clinical psychologist. “One of my life goals is to open up a safe space for mentally challenged individuals to get the help they need without any judgement,” she shared. We had the chance to talk to the young star earlier this week, and here is what she had to say! Before we get into it, do tell our readers a little about yourself. I’m a 19-year-old, born and raised in Colombo, Sri Lanka. I was raised by two amazing strong women, my mother and my elder sister, who always taught me to be independent. I started working at a very young age whilst doing my studies. I’m currently waiting to continue my higher studies in psychology and I’m pursuing one of my passions: Modelling. I absolutely love reading and would choose reading a book over a movie any day. Aside from that, I’m a sucker for the simple things in life. I also love staying in, spending time with myself, and making TikToks. Let’s talk about your business. You run a thrift store on Instagram. How and when did that start? I actually started as a second-hand shopper. My sister and I love thrift shopping. We love the whole idea of upcycling old clothes and exploring our creativity with them. Last year, right after the lockdown, we had to move houses, and while packing, we realised that we had a lot of brand new clothes that have been worn once or twice that we couldn’t fit into anymore, or that didn’t suit our style anymore. So we decided to open up an online thrift store where we can give these clothes a second chance, and hence we came up with the name “Second Editions”. What is your opinion on the thrifting scene in Colombo at the moment? I’m so glad to see second-hand shopping no longer stigmatised! I’m glad more and more people are shopping second-hand as this is great for sustainability as well as community building. Any suggestions for how we as a society can move towards sustainable fashion? Fashion is among the most polluting industries across the globe, which is why it’s important we move towards sustainable fashion. A few ways we can move towards sustainable fashion would be by promoting the consumption of second-hand clothing, redesign, and upcycle fashion, and also embracing clean and green fashion (eco-fashion). Moving on to TikTok, you are an absolute star. We love your videos! When did you start? Thank you so much! Well, I never thought I’d be one to have a TikTok account. My friends always forced me to do TikTok dances with them, which I gradually started to enjoy, so I finally opened an account during the first lockdown. I’ve always been way too self-conscious to take videos of myself, especially if it involved talking, but I’ve got to say, TikTok has helped me get over that insecurity completely. It’s super fun and also a very easy app to create content, especially with its various effects. How has it been so far in terms of your engagement and connection with followers? After actively speaking about my mental health issues, I’ve had so many people reach out to me with their own struggles, and the love has just been so overwhelming! Apart from that, there’s a higher engagement in my comedy videos, so if my career in modelling doesn’t work out, I guess I can always be a comedian. Jokes apart, I’m very grateful for everyone engaging with my content. What would you say is your main theme of content and where do you get your ideas for videos?  I make various types of content. There’s the occasional TikTok dance trend, a lot of transitions (I absolutely love making these “before and after” videos), and a few funny ones too. Most of these are trends, but I do make my own jokes. Currently, my main theme of content is styling videos, and I also make mental health awareness videos where I talk about certain mental illnesses based on personal experience and adequate research. You are also a mental health advocate. What is your opinion on the current status of mental health support in Sri Lanka? I think we’ve come a long way. Therapeutic help is more accessible to individuals than it was before and I see more and more individuals openly talk about mental health every day, raising awareness, and breaking the stigma around getting therapeutic help. However, the extent of mental health support accessible to low-income earners and underdeveloped areas in the island is very limited, so we definitely still have a longer way to go. How would you like to see it develop in the near future? I think individuals need to be educated on mental health just like they are educated on physical health, because it is just as important. I would love to see a more accepting and empathic society; I hope to break the stigma around mental health and encourage as many individuals who struggle with it to seek help. What would you say to those struggling with their mental health during these times? You are brave, you are strong, and you are so loved. During the current pandemic, we can all feel stressed out, lonely, and overwhelmed. Do not forget to be kind to yourself. Pay more attention to your feelings, reach out, and connect with people you love. Seek professional help if necessary and remember that you don’t have to suffer in silence. There is absolutely no shame in getting help. Aside from this, what content can we look forward to seeing from you? You will definitely see more styling tips and fashion videos, and I will continue making more mental health awareness and self-love-based content as well. PHOTOS © MALITH GAYAN HETTIARACHCHI, ARANTHA PHOTOGRAPHY, TINK ATTIRE


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