Swapping her current residence of Tokyo for a trip down memory lane in London we spent an afternoon hanging out with model Laura Ribeiro to find out the all important question, who's she throwing that water bomb at?
Ok Laura lets set the record straight, can you describe your heritage? Ha-ha! I am not Japanese! I actually have a Brazilian mother and Portuguese father. I was raised in London since that's where they met. I am very South London. What were you like as a kid? Oh I was the geeky quiet girl who often got bullied, but had a passion for art. You'd find me creating things out of cardboard boxes or drawing random characters. Speaking of which, what is your favourite cartoon? Sailor moon and the Power Puff Girls - strong women are the prettiest. How would you describe yourself and your style? We love the androgyny... If I told you I'm a shy person would you believe me? I'd like to think I'm friendly and easy to talk to. My style changes with my mood. I would say I feel more comfortable dressing up in oversized and chill clothes but every now and then I like to dress up and put on cute makeup. So you live in Japan? I moved to Japan two years ago for a modeling opportunity, but it later made me want to refocus on inspiring other women to believe in themselves and that they too can achieve their dreams. I'm already focusing on my next goal! And now you speak Japanese? Yes, not fluently but conversationally. I haven't studied Japanese at a school, but with self-discipline and dedication from my friends and my boyfriend I've picked it up. I do find languages easy though... I speak 4 and understand another 2. Not showing off, well just a little hehehe.
What do you love about Japanese culture? I live in Tokyo, and here the culture is very different to other prefectures. Tokyo is exciting, creative, alive, a city that is always innovating itself and with a lot of opportunities to give. There's also a lot of creative's from around the world that come here. If I were to meet them in their own country it wouldn't be as accessible, but here - it's so small! Everyone meets everyone. When you're back in Blighty, what are the key things you make sure to tick off? Visit all my close friends and catch up, check out the museums and galleries, and then probably go and have a nice pint of cider - we don't get that in Japan. We're obsessed with the Japanese game Neko Atsume you a cat person? Yes I'm a cat person! I love European shorthair in black and white, but if I had to choose a dog breed I'm happy with e a Shiba Inu, they are just super friendly! What are you most excited for this Summer? Traveling, I want to visit Okinawa - it's like Japan's very own Hawaii. Clear waters, blue skies and a lot of fresh yummy fruit. You have one water balloon, who do you throw it at? My younger sister ha-ha, just cause it's funny. Complete this sentence, my life would suck without Daylight. I am a morning person, I feel motivated and inspired by good weather. So when the weather is gloomy so am I. -------------------- Follow more of Laura's Japanese adventure on Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.
