Earlier this year, we featured Filipino-Chinese-American model Brent Chua as a one of the hottest male models we’ve ever laid eyes on. We were lucky enough to snag an interview with the 26-year-old, despite his busy schedule living and working in New York City. Make sure you check out the Personalities section of the Fall 2011 issue of Audrey, out now. Here, enjoy a bit more of our interview with Brent Chua.

Audrey Magazine: What inspired your signature Mohawk hairstyle?

Brent Chua: I would have to say it all started when I came to New York for the first time. My agency wanted something different, something more drastic and so this was the outcome. And I’ve kept it ever since, it works for me.

AM: Your look has been described as very androgynous. What do you think about that?
BC: If people think I look androgynous then I am fine with that. I don’t really think about how I look or how I would describe my appearance.

AM: What’s your take on the representation of Asian models in the States?
BC: I do not really feel like it is lacking at the moment. It seems that there has been a huge increase in Asian models recently, especially here in New York. Of course there is always room for more and more. I just hope it won’t turn out to be a fad. Yet I don’t believe it will — it seems a new appreciation has come for Asian models, especially girls, where they have become less of a minority and more a part of the majority.

AM: What side of your bicultural upbringing do you feel you gravitate to more?
BC: I feel I’ve been molded by so many impressions which have fallen upon me. I am from the Philippines, which I feel connected with, and I am Chinese, which I also feel connected with. It’s impossible to lean one way as I am an installation of my parents who are both Filipino and Chinese.

AM: Have you ever embarrassed yourself on the runway or during a photo shoot? How’d you deal with it?
BC: Yes, sure I have. But in life you will always fall down here or there and you learn to get back up. You just laugh it off. It’s important to learn to laugh at yourself sometimes.

AM: What has been the most awkward modeling experience you’ve had so far?
BC: I think it’s awkward to deal with those in the industry who are too full of themselves. It’s awkward because I don’t see any need for that, so actually it is more so sad that insecurities can be so transforming of a person. Naturally however, it is something you simply have to deal with.

AM: If you weren’t modeling right now, what would you be doing?
BC: Who can really say? Everything seems to happen for a reason and there’s no reason to wonder what would have happened if it didn’t. I could be flying to the moon or working in a sushi restaurant. Anything could have happened, and I would have accepted it as I do with my life the way it is now.

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Brent Chua in NY photos by Melly Lee.

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Tags: asian models, Brent Chua, chinese models, filipino models

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