Xanny 2.0

Fresh off the back of a two-year personal transformation, Xanny Disjad explains how her journey evolved and what’s next for the ever-popular Brand Xanny and its 50,000+ fans.

 

I first met Xanny Disjad on a charity trip to Petchabhun. I’d joined a group of people in taking Christmas presents from Bangkok to two schools in the province. Xanny joined later by taxi, chartered at her own considerable expense from Bangkok to Petchabhun – a metered journey of around five hours. It was a remarkable demonstration of care that made me immediately interested in her story, and so upon our return to the capital I decided to arrange an interview with her. The resulting feature was modestly popular, attracting positive comments from Xanny’s followers and fans long before her Facebook flock had swelled in number to beyond 50k.

For some time, a catch-up was due, but between her work and my work, my PR stuff (drinking) and her entrepreneurial activities (actual work), it didn’t come to pass.

Now however, Xanny’s non-modelling initiatives have become promisingly diverse, and so I got a phone call; she invited me to interview her as she wanted to publicise her new ventures, and suggesting the piece would be good for my portfolio. I replied politely that this was not necessary, and that my last interview was with Dita Von Tesse. “Awesome. Let’s do next week,” she replied.

Xanny’s home is in Ploenchit, so we met at Novotel Bangkok Ploenchit Sukhumvit; A) because Dee Lounge is cool, airy, quiet, and right next to the BTS, and B) because it’s very easy to get a hotel to pick up your tab when you rock up with a glamour model.

At the time of our last interview, Xanny’s schedule was so hectic that all we spoke of was modelling assignments, her focus at that time. Now we encounter a broader and more magnificent approach to life and business, and as a result, a more compelling study.

“I am not rich yet, so I cannot use my money to help others,” she begins, in suitably warm rhetoric, “But I can change people’s opinion and visions, help them become more positive, and change them for the better. My words make people calm and happy; I believe that I can make people smile.”

 

 

For a long time now, Xanny has wanted to publish a philosophical book based on her experiences, but as someone whose life is “still running, in the middle of my success,” she opts to wait. It doesn’t preclude her from publishing regular philosophical musings on Facebook though, which are a hit with fans and very popular with female followers.

“Sometimes I post philosophical messages, and on one occasion I had almost a hundred girls comment or write me and tell me I inspire them. I’ve always wanted to write about philosophy which is my passion. It is my intention to write a book, or at least a collective of my philosophical musings in some sort of illustrated form, but at 26 I’m still gathering experiences and building perspective. When I’m confident my thoughts will stir others, then I will publish them.”

It is this interest in life, and the lives of others, which brings Xanny to her diversification strategy; Brand Xanny now encompasses lifestyle coaching, travel services, personal concierge and even a forthcoming fashion line.

“I try many entrepreneurial ways to make money,” she says. “Unless you’re in the top echelon of the modelling world, then it’s difficult to receive significant payments from it, so I need to adapt and use the weight of the Xanny brand to power new projects. I don’t do any kind of kinky or rude service, just quality concierge; I do not want people to get the wrong impression and think that they can have a chance with me.”

The type of people that use the service are what Xanny describes as normal, professional people – they have to be respectful and have no unreasonable expectations. They must keep to a distance, but also “look good and speak nicely” – it’s very much event-based, and aims to bring out the guest’s entire colour, allowing them to send a strong message to their clients and important connections.

“I meet my fans and connections from time to time as some of them book my tour services, of which my customers usually comment are really good value – especially for having supermodel Xanny next to you!” she smiles. “I speak very good English and I’m a joyful entertainer, so it’s become a popular service.”

Her life coaching and concierge offerings are built upon the success of her popular web site, www.xannydisjad.com. Xanny has owned this domain from the early days of her modelling career, and the site keeps evolving. She’s concerned with the overall aesthetic, and so personally hand-selects each image. Her fear is that the site is perceived as being overly sexy, and that’s the challenge she is dealing with right now.

“My vision for Xannydisjad.com is evocative and beautiful, focused on art; it’s not hard-core but it definitely is hot; I want it to reflect the fact that I’m a businesswoman and entertainer, not just a model now. The modelling market, especially in Bangkok, is subject to many new low-end entrants. Being a model doesn’t make you look smart, but being a businessperson is respectable and modelling gives you an effective route to that, so I’m looking at how I can build a smart future.”

Presumably for a successful pro working in beauty and fashion, a possible outlet would be cosmetics advertising, but Xanny has a strong view on some of the products she has had thrown at her by would-be beauty suitors. She explains, “The big cosmetic brands only use white skin models. Why? I think this is so stupid; my skin is very dark, and my complexion has always been very good, so why would I want to artificially whiten it? I have friends who have beautiful dark skin and are very proud of their appearance. Why should we use whitening products, which, largely, do not work? My focus is on anti-aging products, and that is something I would look at if I represented anything. I use top quality anti-aging products, and look at my skin; why would I need to wait until the wrinkles appear? I’m almost 27 and I need to consider ways in which I can protect my appearance, my investment in my own future.”

 

 

Future cosmetic work? “I probably need stem cell treatment in the next 10 years,” she says with a wry smile, and a look of earnest consideration – the mark of a professional in a true state of self-awareness.

At this point our interview pauses as we both note something burning. We turn to find an American tourist whose newspaper has begun smouldering over the open candle as he reads in the lobby. Staff assist with the incendiary moment, but not with his embarrassment; a smile from Xanny is enough to stultify him post-predicament. Her calming energy is palpable, and something I noticed first time around.

It’s a self-confidence which she conveys with no hint of self-obsession; a difficult trick to master. It explains why she is able to use her own magnetism to grow her brand. “I get a lot of people come up to me and say, ‘Hey Xanny, I’m on your Facebook! Can I get a picture with you?’ I say, ‘Of course you can!’ They’re so appreciative, I love it so much. It reminds me of simple courtesy, of appreciation and respect. I try to treat my fans and people I work with this level of the same.”

Xanny’s warmness and straightforward logic continue to provide new avenues for growth; she looks upon networking and socialising as a form of work, a necessity in reaching out to a broader audience. She would love to do something in real estate, uniting her business brain with people who have this kind of capital but few connections in Bangkok.

There’s also her desire to empower the success of others, based on her experience in modelling. “I want to bring a new model into my web site so I can be manager and be behind the scenes, build the brand, get them to know you, and then get them to like and respect you – so you have to make them luuurve you and cultivate over a period of time! That’s why guys love Brand Xanny! Haha! I want to empower the success of others wherever I can.”

So what of a personal life? Boyfriend? Dating?

“I am single, and have been for a little while now. It’s not fun for me – I don’t like being single. I don’t know why, but having a boyfriend is kind of like my protection from guys that I choose NOT to be with. Any boyfriend I am with has to accept the social pressure because he will have met me because of who I am and where my life takes me, so it’s part of the deal. I am totally dedicated when I am with a boyfriend though.”

Bizarrely, at this point she asks me the same question. “No, dating, but not looking. I wouldn’t date another model!” I lied, over a long-dead cappuccino. Xanny picks up the MP3 recorder from the table and extends it to me, reporter-style. “You’re interviewing me, now?” I joke, as she playfully gets into the role of TV presenter – definitely another possible avenue for her in the future.

“What happened to your leg?” I ask in return, suddenly aware that at least 15 people in the lobby are looking at us. “Oh, mosquito,” she replies, “I’m always busy at home, cooking, running around, and managing my space. I haven’t watched TV for seven years.” It runs in the family too I note, having already enjoyed the privilege of meeting Xanny’s Mum, and seeing her awesomely limitless energy.

 

 

We jointly nail what’s left of her balsamic salmon salad, realising that we’ve been chatting for over 90 minutes. I can’t believe tangible friendly intimacy can so immediately mask two years of non-contact.

“I’m always connected to other people, involved in their lives and helping in any way I can,” she says. “My friends are sometimes heartbroken or have a problem – I have good problem-solving skills and I’m strong at lifting people up, raising the mood of others. They talk to me; I cheer them up, make them positive. One day I would love to be a motivational speaker. Let me know if there is anything I can do for you; we should meet again soon.”

Some weeks later, I’m going through the MP3 recording, wondering how to begin transcribing almost two hours of idle chit-chat; I didn’t even prep any questions as I knew it would be unnecessary. I smile every few minutes, thinking back to the conversation and its countless diversions and sub-plots, eventually yielding something that resembles an interview transcription.

I’m struck by how much I talk and how little space I gave her to answer, but then it’s difficult to stop talking when you’re sharing a moment with someone who shows such strong interest in your own life – and in its ambling diversions, of which another indelibly memorable one has been recorded and saved for posterity.

 

 

 

 

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