Interview with Nomi Network

Interview with Nomi Network! http://blog.nominetwork.org/2010/05/q-with-karen-tep.html

MONDAY, MAY 24, 2010

Q & A with Karen Tep

You have multiple jobs. Tell us about them, and which do you like best and why?

I have three jobs. I am a nurse, and I also do modeling, under the name iKandy. Thirdly, I am the director of volunteers for a non-profit organization called Strengthening Cambodian Communities Project (SCC) that I co-founded with my partner in Australia, Tara Miller. I enjoy all three jobs; being a nurse enables me to rebuild lives, while modeling helps me obtain exposure that I need to spread awareness about Cambodia. Being a part of SCC is my true passion--to help Cambodia regain the glory that it once had.

Is that related to the work you’re doing with Nomi?

Yes. I am using my modeling notoriety and connections in the business to direct and coordinate the upcoming Nomi Network fashion show here in New Orleans, LA.

How did you hear about Nomi Network?

Stephen Bauer found me on Face Book and e-mailed me about Nomi Network and their ambitions.

What inspired you to get involved?

The same day that Stephen wrote me, I had been looking for ways that I could help. I was looking for anything related to human trafficking, especially sex slavery. I am passionate about that, especially in Cambodia.

What is the biggest obstacle that you have had to overcome as a Cambodian woman?

My biggest obstacle has been to overcome the pain and anger that my parents inflicted on me as a child growing up in the States. The pain and anger of my parents was a result of the having to endure a great deal of suffering under the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia.

What do you think is the biggest obstacle in empowering women?

We need to get women to understand that they have the same rights as men. In foreign countries, when trying to help women empower themselves, we must first understand the culture and the values that the people abide by. However, we must also work to get men to understand that women have the same rights as men. In male dominated societies women tend to be looked upon with contempt and as mere objects. To teach women to be able to stand up to that will be a great feat.

- interview by Stephen Bauer

Interview with Thais Mills

Ask Karen Tep who she is and listen for her to say... " More Than Rice ". Called iKandy / Asian Barbie her story makes you think about what a new model goes through in the unforgiving industry of beauty. Staying true to her Cambodian descent, IKandy manages to stay sweet in a business that turns so many sour.
After hearing Karen's rant about more Asian women needed on film / print I was impressed. YES, we do share the same hometown of New Orleans but that's not why I took her side, I did because I feel her pain. No Im not Asian but Im Plus Size and dont see anyone that looks like me when I watch videos. I know what iKandy is going through.
Which is why I pulled her to the side to ask 10 questions. Her answers are worth the read. To say thanks for iKandy's time I'll send gifts from my art store, EnticingObjects.com -

1. Tell me how you got into modeling ?
I was in nursing school, and one of my fellow class mates was a former model and suggested that I get into it. I was interested but didn't decide to do it, until I kept getting comments about how I should model from strangers, plus nursing wasn't my dream, being a part of the entertainment industry is one of them.


2. You say Asian girls are never casted for principal roles in videos why do you think that is ?
I honestly think, it's because of the "image", how beautiful women should be portrayed, curvy would be one of the traits. Asian women, are usually not stereotyped as curvy, but hey, there are some of us out there that are! like me!

3. Who's next video do you want to be in and if YOU could write the treatment how would you star yourself ?
I was actually an extra in Ne-Yos Never Knew video - and yea, they cut me out. I wouldn't mind being in a fun type video, for example, Bed Rock by Lloyd etc, looked like they had a ton of fun! Believe it or not, I think I prefer being in videos with female musicians, like Beyonce or Katy Perry. But wouldn't mind working with Trey Songz or Jason Derulo.

4. Getting glammed up is the perk of your job, what make-up artist can you remember getting you all dolled up for a runway affair and what made him/her so friggin cool?

Brandy Gomez Duplessis has a wonderful and comforting personality. Easy to talk to. It was my first fashion show ever and it was for Austin Scarlett. So speaking to her and having her answer my questions was really comforting and calmed my nerves. Shes an amazing make up artist, and I am honored to have worked with her.

5. Do you feel foriegn models like Tila Tequila makes it easier or harder in the industry for you ?
Actually I feel that Tila has made some progress for other asian models, just the fact shes getting noticed, negatively but she accomplished what she wanted. More power to her. If there were 10 Tila Tequilas, then I would say maybe it would be harder because people already think Asians all look alike, now everyone is going to think we all act or talk alike too!


6. What's your favorite book and why ?
The Road of Lost Innocence by Somaly Mam. I love that book, because its an autobiography of a modern day heroine, who survived the Cambodian genocide, sex slavery and made the most out of life, by creating organizations to save children and women from this violent monstrosity committed by men in south east asia. She promotes awareness, and to me, thats a true leader.

7. How does your parents feel about you craving to be in music videos ?
My parents don't know! I have Asian parents, they would just die. I follow my own path. As much as I want to please them, I have to live my own life.

8. Seems like this really stresses you out, how do you relax ?
Nothing much stresses me out. I've been through a lot, and how I cope is through humor. I am a very goofy person to be around!


9. You've mentioned Black and Spanish girls always get casted but Plus Size and darker African American girls are normally left out as well. What do you say to them ?
That to be truly creative, you must break free from the box! And to my beautiful ladies that aren't casted, stay persistent to achieve your dream!


10. You can be scouted today and your life could change tomorrow what do you plan to achieve with your new found fame ?
My passion is to spread Cambodia Awareness- you can find me and my postings on my face book fan site. I post facts about poverty, sex slavery, human trafficking, history, the genocide, the architecture, the Temples, the dances,and the culture! I want to use my gift, not only for myself but to make the world as comfortable for others as it can be. Life is hard, why not share the wealth?


I'm sending you a gift from www.EnticingObjects.com what's your favorite color ?
Blue - Lately its been blue, it changes ever so often, but I also love Gold.

Courtesy of LipServiceInk - http://www.lipserviceink.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=287:enticing-objects-karen-tep&catid=45:monthly-ink

Being accepted as a political refugee, as victims from US Aerial Bombings and the Khmer Rouge, shouldn't they be accepted for the good and bad? The livelihood is a product of the US culture. The US should accept some responsibility for poor to nil resettlement programs, and of course, not justifying the actions of the criminals, but if already served time for the crime, to further punish by deportation, is HIGHLY INHUMANE. Cambodian deportees, most with minor crimes, have never been to Cambodia, grew up in the US and some with minimal knowledge of the language. The worst way to punish a permanent resident in the justice system, thank you BUSH, for being as HUMANE and UN-RACIST as you were.