- Model Julia Sonali on winning ‘Face of Asia 2024’
Sri Lankan model Julia Sonali Kaluarachchi recently made headlines by winning the ‘Face of Asia 2024’ (Female) title at the ‘Asia Model Festival’ held in Gangwon, South Korea. Even more remarkable is that this was Julia’s first time competing on an international stage.
The Sunday Morning Brunch sat down with Julia for a chat on the experience of competing in an international modelling pageant as well as what drives her to be a model.
Sharing that she was both humbled and excited to have won, Julia also stressed that winning ‘Face of Asia 2024’ felt like more than a personal achievement for her; it was a victory for Sri Lanka.
She recalled the thrill of hearing her name called on stage: “It was surreal. They didn’t just call out ‘Julia’; they called me ‘Julia Sri Lanka’. Hearing that meant everything to me. Representing Sri Lanka on that stage was the best experience of my life and I’m so humbly proud to have had that chance.”
Competing against Asia’s top modelling talents for one of the continent’s most prestigious titles as a first-time contestant was daunting, but it also pushed her to new limits and encouraged her to become the best version of herself. “It was a lot of hard work and sleepless nights getting there, and I had the support of a truly wonderful team,” Julia said.
From runway to pageant stage
Julia’s journey into modelling was far from planned. The initial spark of interest in the field came to her unexpectedly in her teenage years.
“I remember I was around 13 or 14, watching FTV (FashionTV) and there was a ramp show going on,” Julia shared. “Suddenly, I got goosebumps – it was an amazing feeling and something I’d never felt before. I realised modelling was something extraordinary, but back then, I didn’t have much confidence and no idea how to get there.”
At the time, Julia also didn’t meet the stereotypical image of a model. “I was a bit chubbier back then and I knew I didn’t want to become a plus-size model,” she explained. “So I worked hard on my body and went through a complete weight-loss transformation. That journey taught me a lot about life. It taught me patience, discipline, and resilience.”
Julia committed to a fitness routine and disciplined eating habits, which eventually helped her develop the physique she envisioned for herself. Her modelling career officially took off about five years ago. She started on her own before joining The Agency Sri Lanka, where her career began to flourish.
“I started with small shows, then moved on to the professional world of ramp shows and modelling, which brought new challenges and taught me so much,” she shared.
Owning the runway of life
For Julia, the runway is more than just a stage; it’s a metaphor for life. “Each and every second matters. There is so much work that goes into a runway show. Just for a model alone, there is the time you spend in fittings, rehearsals, hair and makeup, and other preparations before you even get on the runway.
“Thereafter, as one model, you are on the ramp for maybe a minute. And in that minute, everything has to be perfect. Being a model has taught me that every second matters and that the world is our runway. We just have to be confident enough to face each move, never knowing what might happen.
“In that minute you are on the runway, you could trip, a heel could break, or a dress might not hold up as planned, and as a model, you have to respond to that quickly and gracefully, just as you would hope to respond to an unexpected twist in real life. Life is just like a runway.”
What does a day in the life of a model look like? To be honest, it varies. For Julia (who emphatically shared that she was not a morning person), her day begins with a glass of water when she wakes up at around 8 a.m. and then taking a moment to appreciate the morning sky and the day ahead of her.
“When I wake up, I love to see the sky. I go outside and look up, and it reminds me that this is another new day and I have to do my best,” she shared.
Maintaining her health is also a priority. With her journey to modelling having included a weight loss transformation, she now sticks to a balanced routine that helps her feel energised without feeling sluggish.
“Sometimes I skip breakfast, sometimes I have a glass of fresh juice instead, which my mother makes,” she shared, adding that she was not pressured to eat in the morning. “If I eat too much in the morning, I feel sleepy and bloated, so I skip breakfast if I’m not hungry. My lunches and dinners are quite normal, really.”
Julia’s dedication to a healthy lifestyle means she has learnt to make disciplined choices about her diet. She is mindful of carbs and sweets; having cut out sugar for three months at one point when she first started her weight loss journey, she now refrains from eating any sugar.
“I don’t really like sweets anyway, and when I stopped eating sugar for three months, I realised everything tastes better without sugar,” she said with a smile. “Now, I find natural flavours so much more enjoyable.”
Modelling for the soul
When asked what she loves most about modelling, Julia’s answer is immediate: the runway. “I prefer runway modelling over editorial work,” she revealed. “It’s just a few minutes, but in that short time, every eye in the audience is on me. I don’t feel that same rush anywhere else. On the runway, it feels like a completely different world and I feel truly alive in that moment.”
In addition to modelling, Julia also works as a television MC, but she noted that modelling was her true passion and the one thing that refreshed her mind and soul. “Modelling gives me the boost I need – it makes me happy. It’s what I love most,” she said, and being able to compete as a model at the ‘Asia Model Festival’ made her realise even more that passion is what drives any success.
Preparing for the ‘Asia Model Festival’ required intense dedication and focus. Julia first had to compete for the ‘Face of Sri Lanka’ title, which proved an invaluable learning experience.
“The competition in Sri Lanka was tough,” she recalled. “There was so much amazing talent. From that point on, I learnt to be disciplined and to compete in a way I hadn’t done before. This was my first time competing internationally, so it was a whole new experience.”
Julia also shared that her journey to the ‘Face of Asia’ title would not have been possible without the guidance and support she received from her mentors, Face of Sri Lanka National Director Kalpanee Gunawardana and The Agency Sri Lanka Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Kosh Hewage.
“They helped us tremendously, teaching us how to carry ourselves, how to be disciplined, and how to be strong competitors. There were so many sleepless nights and hard work, but in the end, it all paid off.”
As someone who has navigated the challenges and triumphs of the industry, Brunch also asked Julia what advice she would give to other aspiring models.
Her first piece of advice is to make sure modelling is something you truly want. “Ask yourself if you really want to be a model,” she said. “It’s a job with a lot of responsibility. People like to say, ‘I’m a model,’ but with that title comes a lot of work, discipline, and responsibility, which is something many people don’t realise.
“Being a model goes beyond wearing beautiful outfits; it’s about professionalism and commitment. There are so many people working hard backstage, so you have to be responsible for carrying the outfits well, knowing how to present them, and being aware of what’s going on. It’s not just about wearing an outfit – it’s about delivering a performance.”
When it comes to building confidence, as someone who had struggled greatly with confidence when she was younger, Julia shared that there was no magic trick to becoming confident – it has to come from within.
“Confidence always has to come from you,” she explained. “No one else can give it to you. If you have that craving and passion for what you do, you won’t be afraid to take risks. Every job has its pressures and challenges. But if you have an amazing dream and a goal, it’s okay to tolerate that pressure.”