By Lovern Hayes, Staff ReporterKIBWE MCGANN is not changing his mind about what he wants to be, again. Really, he isn't.
He is resolute in his determination to follow his latest desire. Okay, so at first he thought he wanted to be an architect but soon discovered, while in a Technical Drawing exam, that he didn't. Then, he dreamed of becoming a pilot and even started pilot training, but when it was time to start flying lessons, he realised he hated flying. Now he dreams of making it to Hollywood as a famous movie star. He declares that this is his ultimate dream and he will become a star.
"Denzel Washington better watch out! Actually, he is getting up in age and Hollywood will soon need a replacement. I intend to be it. In time I will be attending the Golden Globes and all these fabulous shows," Kibwe says. For now though he is content to be a model. Not just any model, mind you, one of Jamaica's most promising models.
Saint International's model sensation, Kibwe, a former Wolmerian has been making waves locally and internationally and is breaking new ground by being signed to the prestigious Elite network in the United States, the first Jamaican to achieve this feat. Elite is better known for giving supermodel Naomi Campbell her big break and Kibwe intends to follow closely in her super footsteps.
This US sojourn will represent an added dimension to Kibwe's blossoming international career which started in South Africa just over two years ago. Kibwe arrived in South Africa on the invitation of TOPCO Models but as soon as he started blazing a trail of success he was snatched by Heads Model Management -- one of South Africa's largest agencies. While there, he made numerous editorial appearances in magazines like Drum, PACE, Marie Claire and even got the opportunity to work with leading fashion photographers such as Pierre Vandenbosch and Martin Beck.
Kibwe, the third of seven children, tells Flair that his South African experience was nothing like he expected. He notes that while models seem to gain little respect here, in South Africa being an international model garnered respect.
While there, he also dated beautiful and well-known women, one of whom was Miss South Africa World/Universe 2001, Jo-Ann Strauss. He dined in A-class restaurants, attended fabulous exclusive parties and was feted by very important people. In short he was known.
"I left South Africa a mini-celebrity. Everybody knew me and was talking about me and everywhere I went people wanted to meet me," he says.
Kibwe's eyes twinkle as he relates attending the high-profile Marie Claire/Hugo Boss International Valentine's Ball 2002 with Strauss where he was seated at the same table with senior executives from Hugo Boss and Marie Claire.
"I didn't initially notice it, but I was the only black man seated at the dinner. It was while I was on my way to the bathroom that one of the waiters stopped me and asked if I was someone important because I was the only person of colour seated. That was actually the first time I was hit with the colour issue," he says.
All in all though, Kibwe loves modelling and thoroughly enjoyed his time in South Africa. He returned to Jamaica to complete his final year at the University of the West Indies where he is pursuing a BSc. in Economics. This programme should be complete by May when he will then take up his contract with the Elite network. He hopes that his stint with Elite will see him growing from strength to strength, gaining more international recognition and eventually propel him onto his dream of becoming a movie star.
But that's not all. Here's more on Kibwe McGann...
FL: How old are you?
KM: My model age is 22.
FL: What's your favourite colour?
KM: Yellow. I really love bright colours.
FL: Have you ever done anything that makes you say 'Oh no, I did it again!'?
KM: When another of my relationships fails I feel that way. You see I always make the same mistakes -- cheat on my girlfriend.
FL: What have you done and surprised yourself?
KM: Model. I never thought I would be here. I was always fashion conscious and I loved being in the limelight. I enjoyed the social scene. I loved going to parties and when I stepped into the room and all eyes were on me, I was happy. Also, my family name is always in the papers etc. because my father and brother race on the drag circuit and my family has the egg business. But I wanted to be recognised and in the
papers not for my last name, but for myself, on my own merit. However, I never saw myself as a model. Then when I became a model and was sent to South Africa, it was a totally mind-blowing experience. It was so unreal to see life-size pictures and even billboards of myself. It is always surprising to hear people talking about me.
FL: What qualities do you like about yourself?
KM: My confidence. I am never afraid to speak up or stand up and say what I want to say. I am also not afraid to try new fashion. I remember when I attended a function in Negril in a sarong and slippers -- alone. I was actually one of the first men to go out in public in a sarong. Many people whispered and snickered that I must be gay, which I think is absurd since the same people who think and say that I am a 'chi-chi' man, will not trust me to be in the same room with their wives or girlfriends.
FL: What would you change about yourself?
KM: I am really happy with myself so there is nothing I would change.
FL: What do you do to relax?
KM: I go to my father's garage and play dominoes. I go to the movies. Chill out at a friend's house.
FL: What qualities do you look for and admire in a woman?
KM: The most important quality is confidence. She must be extremely confident. But she must also have a sense of fashion, must be outspoken, must be a go-getter, must definitely be able to dance and must be adaptable. By that I mean, she must be down-to-earth, yet rise to the occasion when needs be.
FL: Have you found your ideal woman yet?
KM: I thought I did but she doesn't want me.
FL: Do you see yourself getting married?
KM: I thought I would be by now actually...but I do plan to marry someday when I find that special person.
FL: Do you like children? How many would you like to have?
KM: I enjoy playing with children, but when I am through playing with them that's it. I want to be able to return them to their parents. I don't want any children at all. I am very selfish and can't imagine being responsible for anybody but myself. I am also very spontaneous so I don't want to have to think about my spontaneity affecting my children.
FL: Can you cook?
KM: No.
FL: What's your favourite kind of food?
KM: Chinese. I love sweet and sour chicken.
FL: If your doctor told you that you only had two weeks to live, how would you spend them?
KM: I would... bungee jump, sky dive, get an Evolution and race from Kingston to Negril 10 times at full speed, with absolutely no care for the law.
