We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Michèle Tambika a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Michèle, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

The more time and energy I invested in myself instead of other people was the game changer for me. I truly believe the moment I chose myself, things slowly started to work out. The key was self-love! I started working on myself, and my traumas, and understanding who I am and what my purpose is. I was healing! Healing can be uncomfortable and most people run away from it even though the growth you’ll make and everything else that will come with it is such a beautiful experience. You will learn to be more grateful for what you have now and feel more content in general. What helps me a lot too is yoga and just working out in general. It helps me to stay physically & mentally fit. Because anything you tell your mind, you’ll actually be capable of doing. So what it really needs to accomplish anything in life, is a strong mindset.

If you love yourself and you know who you are, you’ll start reflecting that in your work. Your energy will become magnetic and attract new opportunities in your life without you having to force anything. Trust that anything is possible and that it is meant for you. The more you let go of wanting something, the more it’ll just naturally come to you.

Michèle, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I was born and raised in Zürich, Switzerland. Starting at a young age I was always interested in creative work. I first started singing and songwriting, then I did theater, and eventually even musicals. I absolutely loved it. It was an escape from my daily life of school or work, which I had no intention of pursuing anyway. People expect you to live a certain life, but I always knew that if I continued like that, I’d never be happy.

In 2018 I moved to Los Angeles to do my Bachelor’s degree in Acting for Film. Moving to the other side of the world with only 19, not knowing anyone, and having to completely adjust to the culture and people wasn’t always easy. I was starting a new life. It took so much strength, but I knew that’s what I was meant to be doing. To just do my thing and let no one stop me. I cut all the outside noise out and started focusing on myself and my journey.

I slowly started getting into modeling. I was always curious about it, I just never thought that I could actually do it. The more positive feedback I got from photographers and just people, in general, was definitely helpful and made me want to get better at it. I started collaborating with different photographers to create my first modeling portfolio. It got to a point where I felt ready to do even bigger. I applied to several modeling agencies and had three modeling agencies wanting to sign me. That was such a great feeling! Unfortunately, right after that, COVID happened, so nothing ended up working out. The modeling agencies just told me to stay in touch with them and to move forward after COVID-19. I was devastated because I put in so much work and the modeling agencies were considered some of the better ones.

I just kept doing school and was focused on that again. At some point, I met a girl who was very much into social media and wanted to get me into it too. It was a great time because besides school we’d go take cute Instagram photos, prepare catchy captions, and focus on growing our social media. During that difficult time, it was the perfect escape to continue life, but maybe more online. I learned so much about myself during that time and how to be good on social media if I put in the time and effort. Today, that’s something I should definitely get back on since it is very important nowadays, especially after COVID. I remember getting amazing feedback from people and new followers, and I actually had so much fun being fearless and just posting whatever I felt like without overthinking it. Some people would judge me, others would celebrate me, and I was totally fine with either.

During that time, I also founded TAMBIKA, which is all about healthy living. I would post healthy recipes on my website, www.tambika.com. I had such a great time doing that, and the feedback was amazing. A balanced life is something I’m very passionate about.

In 2021 I was still busy finishing my Bachelor’s degree, so I decided to put my focus back on that and then I’ll figure out what’s next. I remember still working with different photographers and brands even if it was unpaid. I wanted to build my credits, portfolio, and experience.

Finally, after graduating and things with COVID being better, I reached out to one of the modeling agencies again to ask them if they were still interested in signing me. They were! I started working with them and booking jobs. It felt great finally being able to do what I’ve been wanting to do for such a long time.

I think what makes me stand out are my unique facial features. I’m light-skin; my mom is Swiss and my dad is African. Besides that, I have the height and the body. Especially right now, my type is very asked for. At first, I thought I’d only be able to be successful in the United States, but now I realize how the demand for people like me in Switzerland is very high. So, right now I’m actually located in Switzerland again and my modeling agency in Los Angeles is currently working on getting me placement in Europe and/or the UK. I’m excited about this new chapter, but I’m also looking forward to working in Los Angeles again.

I’ve also been working with different brands as an influencer and content creator, and I’ve been developing a new TV show with Justin Conrad, co-founder of City Lights Studios. Besides that, I’d love to get into acting again, and I should probably start uploading new recipes to my website, www.tambika.com.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

I love being creative! I always want to go wherever my heart is leading me. Which means that most of the time I just go with the flow and trust my intuition. If there’s something on my mind, I want to make it happen and I won’t accept a no. I think being an artist or creative is a tough path and it can be uncertain. However, I believe that artists and creatives are usually happier and feel more free and content compared to people who just follow the system. I see the difference, which makes me want to continue my path as an artist. It takes a lot of strength, but if you stay consistent and you start seeing your hard work paying off; there is just no better feeling like it.

I wasn’t always able to make a living just from my artistic work. Today, I’m very grateful to say that I can. It shows me that all these past years were just so worth it.

My advice to all artists and creatives: Please stay consistent and do not give up! It doesn’t happen overnight, but if you stay in the right mindset, it will happen for you!

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

Contact Info:

• Website: https://tambika.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/micheletambika/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michele.tambika/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@tambika696

Image Credits
BOSS, Rayni.ch, Unique Vintage, Bicoastal MGMT, Anastasiya Sazhina