Today we’d like to introduce you to Sam Thomas.
Sam, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
They say, “All our dreams can come true if we dare to pursue them,”; and that holds regardless of any barrier you can think of. As a kid, growing up in Pune, Maharashtra (India), I have always been fascinated by the huge billboards and the life of fashion and modeling that it entails, but never really thought I’d have the audacity to venture into it. A dream stayed a dream, yet, as an unquenched thirst within.
I pursued my schooling and Bachelor’s in Computer Engineering in India and, after that, came to the US to pursue my Masters. Always been a dreamer since I was little, and so being fascinated by the huge skyscraper buildings and the lifestyle that the United States has to offer, was on the path that led to being where things are today.
Completed my Masters in Computer Engineering from the University of Houston, Clear Lake, and a Masters in Business Administration with a concentration in International Business from the University of Houston, Victoria, and went on to live another dream of being an executive at an Oil and Gas company in Houston. It wasn’t until about six months ago during a moment of solitude while driving back home from work that the long suppressed desire of modeling and fashion came to mind, and I decided to read up on things to see how and where I could get started. I filled out forms of some agencies in Houston and received a call from Page Parkes to visit their campus and see what they had to offer. I then pursued acting classes with Page Parkes and modeling lessons at the Neil Hamil agency and just about a few weeks into my classes, I had already begun looking for projects as a freelance model and landed my first gig for a print job with one of the major hospital systems in Houston and was cast as a children’s doctor. This very first project of mine will always stay very dear to heart as it was yet another childhood dream to become a doctor when I grow up and so although it wasn’t in real life that I became a doctor, I decided to bask in the glory that the reel life success and contentment I fortunately received. I also distinctly remember my very first runway show in Houston, which was the “Night of New York Fashion Week”. This is yet another moment where, although it holds significance as the very first one, this was also one where I thought I had made a complete fool out of myself during its auditioning. Auditioning was supposed to be in an “All-Black” attire, and I go there all dressed up in a multicolored outfit with white jeans, a bright shirt, and a colored vest. Long story short, despite that initial embarrassment that I felt as I walked into a room of several other individuals who have dressed appropriately for the audition, I decided to suck that up and give it my best to walk the ramp and portray what I could bring to the table if cast. And sure enough, that paid off well. I was selected to walk for the final show and ended up walking for two renowned fashion designers. Lesson learned was never to let nothing dim the light you carry within and, to always be that “Knight in Shining Armor,” not only on the outside; but on the inside as well.
While still pursuing my acting and modeling lessons, I consider myself to be truly blessed to have had the opportunity to walk for several well-known designers as part of their fashion shows throughout the United States, be invited as a judge and co-host at an International Fashion Pageant show, act in a Bollywood web-series, audition for various commercials in Austin and Dallas.
I’m an avid believer in God and, thus, owe every and all success to the Creator alone. Do not let your dreams die, regardless of big or small. Keep the fire burning within you, and it’ll certainly rekindle the flames at the destined time to help you attain the fulfillment of your desires.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It wasn’t a smooth road by any means; but, I would consider myself fortunate to have received help from several mentors along the path who helped me maneuver my way to avoid the hurdles that they had encountered in their journey. Fashion and modeling was an industry that I was a stranger to, and no insight into what to expect or where to get started. Thus, who to reach out and where or how to even begin was my very first challenge. Hard work and perseverance go a long way in every step of the walk. Researching, reading, seeking out for help, unashamedly asking questions despite knowing that they could sound dumb, and not being afraid to fail have been some of the key measures that helped overcome this challenge.
Balancing out my personal life, in conjunction with a full time job and making time to attend auditions and do modeling was certainly another challenge. For the most part, I would pick auditions that were scheduled for the weekend, and perhaps, those that I could space out in the evenings after my regular job is how I managed time in between these tasks.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
I am an International Fashion Model and Actor, and so, the world of fashion, acting and modeling is what my realm is. I focus primarily on runway shows, modeling assignments like print jobs, commercials and feature films. I’m currently represented by Icon Studios in Dallas, Texas and have classes in acting and modeling that I took at the Page Parkes and Neil Hamil agency in Houston, Texas.
What sets me aside from the crowd is the fact that I bring along the educational expertise that a world different from fashion and modeling has to offer and that, in conjunction with the discipline and work ethics that corporate America demands, makes me a package well suited for the jobs I pick.
What makes me most proud as a model or actor is the fulfillment I receive in pursuing my passion and a desire that stayed suppressed within has now borne fruit; and, I believe that the roles I choose or get to play in films or movies could better help convey the message that the society needs for the betterment of ones living.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Despite having a multitude of qualities that one could talk about as being attributed to success, I personally believe that hard work, patience and determination can help build a profile that nothing can undo. Regardless of the industry you’re in. These qualities could universally apply to how you approach things and what the result is.
There truly is no shortcut to success, and therefore working hard and staying on top of things to do everything that you could possibly do, is numero uno when it comes to striving for excellence. I truly believe that the Creator has a plan and purpose for every individual’s life, and striving to realize that plan and then towards attaining it, fulfills the journey of a lifetime.
Along with hard work, patience and determination are equally important characteristics and qualities to have because it could seem like forever before you see the results and the key throughout that process is to “Never Give Up” and continue being patient with utmost determination to achieve what you set forth to do.
Contact Info:
- Phone: 832 919 4620
- Email: ichbinsam@gmail.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/samthomasiam
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/samthomasiam
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