Model speak: Men and loyalty are opposites

Ushoshi Sengupta was last year's Miss India-Universe and has been setting the Lakme Fashion Week ramp on fire this season. Rediff.com caught up with the leggy model.

What is the highest calorie food you've had this week?

Oh I've always been binging on food. But if I have had to pick, those were the chocolate mousse cakes we stole from backstage yesterday (laughs)

So you have to steal food!?!

(Laughs) No it's just that we don't want people to see us indulging so badly that's all!

How do you manage to have a chocolate mousse cake AND stay this thin?

You know I think most models have high metabolism. It's a myth that models don't eat. Come backstage and see how much we eat! I indulge in food so often, it isn't funny. I always wanted to host a food show. Just imagine... it'd be so cool to be taken around the world to eat good food!

Ok so how did you land up in modelling instead?

I think when I saw Sushmita Sen being crowned Miss Universe, I realised I wanted to be a model. I wanted to compete and win the Miss India-Universe crown. I did that last year. So it's been going good so far!

Since we were talking of food and indulging, what is your take on plus size models?

When we're doing shows for Indian women (clients) we must understand that not (a lot of) Indian women are thin. So we should welcome plus-size models with open arms because most of us aren't thin in this country!

Alright... when you hate an outfit a designer picks for you what do you do?

Well this is the first brief that (modelling agency) Zara gives us -- that when a designer gives you a bad outfit -- ok not bad but that is not so great -- you just have to carry it off so it looks wow! That's what we do!

Your take on celebrities as showstoppers

I think I quite like the idea actually. It adds glitz and glamour to your show.  And I feel it's a welcome change to see a celebrity amidst models.

The only thing that matters is that s/he should be able to carry it off well because the designer doesn't wants to sell the clothes and not the celebrity who is wearing them! I don't think I am jealous of celebrity showstoppers at all.

Lady Gaga -- fashion disaster or fashion icon

Fashion icon, definitely! Being fashionable, according to me is being bold! I think she has the guts to go out there and do crazy dramatic things. We must appreciate it because not everyone can do it.

Your take on the 10-year-old model Thylane Blondeau posing in the recent issue of Vogue magazine

I think what matters is whether a 10-year-old girl looks her age. (She's been styled like an adult) And that is the problem. I feel kids should be allowed to grow up and learn and then work. You cannot force them to work because the parents think it is an easy way to money and stardom or whatever else. Let them study, grow up and then let them choose what they want to do in life.

According to a recent study, men are more likely to fall in love at first sight than women. Would you agree?

(Laughs) Well, if it's true it's a good thing.

You think it is?

Well, men and loyalty are opposites. Falling in love at first sight... I don't think I can guarantee that.

What is the lousiest pick-up line someone's used on you?

So this gentleman walks up to me and I say ok he's good looking. Then he looks at me and says, 'I like your hairs!' And I went 'Hairs?!? Hairs?!?' That was the end of the conversation! That was quite lousy I thought.

What is the sweetest thing a man said to you?

I was dating a Parsee boy -- and Parsees are so well-behaved -- he once told me that you don't have to work hard to look sexy and sweet because you are sexy and sweet! I thought that was cute.

So who dumped who?

Erm. It was mutual (Laughs). I think he was just too well-behaved for me. I like wild men.

Who do you think are the three hottest men in India?

Shah Rukh Khan, Arjun Rampal and Siddharth Mallya!

Words of advice for young aspiring models

I don't think I am qualified to give any sort of advice but if I must, I'd say whatever you want to be, follow your heart. Don't have regrets at the end of your life.

Click here to watch video of Ushoshi Sengupta's interview