The Cindy Marina is an Albanian-American TV host, Miss Universe Albania 2019, professionally volleyball player and model. Cindy was born in Chicago, Illinois but grew up in Southern California. She began playing volleyball very competitively at the age of 11 and played Division 1 at Duke University and the University of Southern California where she earned her diploma in International Relations with a focus in Global Business. She also represented Albania’s National Volleyball Team and became the youngest ever starter to play with the team. In 2019, Cindy was crowned Miss Universe Albania and she went on to compete in Miss Universe where she placed 11th in New Orleans, Louisiana. Cindy is now working as a TV Host and sports reporter for Serie A.
Hi Cindy Marina, could you start by telling us a bit about yourself?
I was born and raised in the United States but my origins are from Albania. I am very proud of my heritage and culture and it is something my parents have instilled in me from a very young age. I have two brothers, Angelo and Brandon, who I am very close to and feel very lucky to call them my best friends. Since I was a little girl, I was very girly and was always obsessed with all things beautiful. I remember when I was young, I would ask my mom to do my hair and put some lipstick on me and then I would get dressed up and she would take photos of me around our house or in the backyard. I think since I was little, I always knew that fashion and art were something that I wanted to be a part of. I am very lucky that my family has always been very supportive of me in all my endeavors and have always pushed me to pursue my passions.
Who do you admire in the modeling industry?
There are many women who come to mind immediately but the one that stands out is Cindy Crawford for many reasons. I always admired her work ethic and how humble and down to earth she is even when she was at the height of her career as one of the most well known supermodels in the world. Besides being a gorgeous face, what I admire the most is that that goes beyond beauty.
She was able to leverage her fame and career and become a very successful business woman, something that I myself hope to do one day. And the cherry on top is actually the fact that I was named after Cindy Crawford. In 1998, the year I was born, she was at the height of her career and because my parents liked her so much, they decided to name me Cindy!
How did you get your start in modeling?
I had my first experience with modeling when I was 14 years old. I was chosen alongside one other girl to be the face of the campaign titled “Botanica” by Miami based couture designer, Ema Savahl. The photo shoot was to take place in Miami so I flew from California with my mom and I remember feeling so nervous but even more so excited that I was going to try something that I had only admired from afar until then. That campaign and photo shoot was my first experience in front of a professional photographer and the photos are still some of my favorite ones to look back on.
Tell us about your latest project?
Lately I have been very busy in the entertainment industry working as a host and sports reporter. I recently began a new show called “Piranjat” which is an investigative TV show which I am co hosting in Albania. I have also been the image of Serie A in Albania and Kosovo for the past 2 years working for the television company called Tibo where we cover all the matches of the Italian Soccer League by hosting our show called “Gran Gol” pitchside from all of the stadiums in Italy. It really is a job that I love very much because I have always been connected to sports because of my 12 year history with volleyball and now I am able to be involved in a different and unique way.
What inspires you most in your work?
I am constantly inspired by the work that I do. It’s really amazing because in all the years that I have been working, to me it has always felt like I’ve been jumping from one amazing project to the next, never like work. I do believe that when you love what you do, it will never feel like you are working because your passion drives you forward. I get very inspired when I meet new and creative people on projects that bring us together. I love seeing creatives in action and learning from what others do well in their respective fields and trying to better myself in the process. Oftentimes one project will lead to another because of the wonderful relationships you create along the way.
What motivates you in your achievements?
I am always motivated when I am able to look back on something I have done or achieved and really be proud of the growth I have endured along the way. I have a lot of aspirations for myself and I wholeheartedly believe in myself and my abilities so when I reach one of these aspirations, it gives me the confidence to continue forward and keep reaching for my goals.
To be on trend with fashion today you must have?
I think it is a good mix of having a good sense of style while also staying true to your personal style. Trends come and go, and more often than not, I have looked back on a trend and disliked it in hindsight. That’s why I think it’s important to also stay true to your personal style while incorporating trends that you like. I am personally a big fan of timeless pieces because when you look back in 5 or 10 years you will less often say “Oh gosh why was I wearing that, haha”.
Where do you find the inspiration for your blog posts?
I personally love social media and the way that people all over the world have been able to use it to showcase their creativity and hobbies.
I manage my own social media accounts because for me it is a great way to connect directly with all of the people who support me. Lately I’ve been loving using Tik Tok even more and sharing a side of myself that I don’t get to show on the other social media platforms.
Which fashion brand have you collaborated with?
Most recently, I have been in collaboration with Diesel. I was chosen as their brand ambassador in Albania which was a huge honor for me. Diesel is a brand I have loved for a long time and think they are so innovative. I was recently invited as a special guest to their show in Milan Fashion week to see the new collection and it was such an incredible experience to be there amongst some of the biggest names in fashion like Anna Wintour and so many others.
How would you describe your motivation levels?
I am a very highly motivated person and very driven by my goals. I am very hard working and believe that all good things can only be achieved through hard work. I think in part this work ethic has been instilled in me from my parents but also from my years as a high level athlete who followed very strict schedules and was a part of high performing teams where you had to give your 110% everyday, even on the days when you weren’t feeling good or didn't feel like it.
Fashion icons in your opinion?
Some of the people I relate to and look to for fashion inspiration are Bella Hadid, Elsa Hosk, Victoria Beckham, and Princess Diana.
Why is the choice of model agency so important?
I think being with an agency who believes in you and wants to push you forward in the industry is extremely important for any model. Often, people think they need to be with the big name industries and if they are they will become the next face of fashion but I think you can work your way up despite the name of the agency representing you as long as they push for you and try to find you jobs that work for you.
Being a famous model what makes you special?
I think people are all unique and special in their own ways but something that I always try to be is a good and nice person and to leave a good impression on people I come into contact with especially in a work setting. I think that the more famous you become, the more humble you should try to be because there is nothing worse than working with people who think they are too good to be there.
When is the best time to share fashion advice with readers?
The beauty of social media today is that you are able to share things in real time. I think being active is more important than trying to find the right time to share a post to get more likes. I try to be very active on my social networks to keep people engaged.
Which brands do you work for and which fashion catwalks have you touched?
I have walked in various fashion shows, some of them being for luxury bridal shows which are so fun to be a part of. For me, it would be a big dream to walk in some couture shows during Paris Couture Week!
What talent are you most proud of?
I am very proud of my willingness to try new things and put myself in uncomfortable positions because I know that only in that way can I grow.
A few words about our magazine?
SS Magazine is such a chic and cutting edge magazine that I am very proud to be the latest cover of. It is definitely a privilege to be selected for a magazine like this one that highlights success stories and the hard work that people have put into their own respective industries. Each story is unique because everyone has a unique path they take to success. Thank you SS Magazine for this beautiful opportunity!
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