Talie, in FOCUS

Model, content creator and sustainability advocate, there’s more to Natalie Prabha than meets the eye. The World Food Forum Champion gathers her thoughts as she opens up to Abdul Aziz Draim about overcoming an eating disorder, turning vegan and loving Mother Earth.

It’s the eyes. Though one might also point to her bone structure, her lithe frame or her sexy pout, when she gazes your way from her Instagram grid or the cover of a magazine (such as this one), it’s her eyes that captivate you. Big and expressive, much like an anime character, her eyes lend her an otherworldly quality. Like an alien beauty. Natalie Prabha owes that beauty to her Kadazan, Indian and Chinese heritage. Hailing from Kota Kinabalu, the 28-year-old Sabahan only began modelling four years ago yet has now amassed a portfolio as extensive as an industry veteran. “I got into modelling by chance,” she begins. “I was at a bar in Bangsar called La Bodega (it’s closed now) for ladies’ night and they served free wine to ladies. As a broke student who loves wine, I was naturally there, haha. Then one of the organisers for Malaysian Fashion Week at that time spotted me and asked me if I wanted to walk the shows. As a broke student, I said yes of course. Then the rest is history.”