Charm your way to the top

While celebrities are known for their charming personalities and confidence, it does not always come naturally to them. They are in fact taught how to walk, talk, eat and present themselves by experts. Take for instance, Priyanka Chopra — the very epitome of self-confidence. From winning Miss World to making it big in both Bollywood and Hollywood, she has an attractive personality and knows how to win people over quite easily. Even the likes of Kareena Kapoor and Victoria Beckham follow several clever techniques to appear confident and attractive.

Priyanka Chopra

Alexander Todorov, a professor of psychology at Princeton University, has shown that people can make judgements about your likeability and competence after seeing your face for less than a tenth of a second, bbc.com had reported.

The study on the website goes on to say that another key to likeability is to mirror the body language of the other person while talking.

Says model Srishti Vyakaranam, Miss Andhra Pradesh 2017, “We go through a lot of grooming sessions, where experts from the industry teach us how to carry ourselves. These insights not only help us when we are modelling, but also in general life. We learn about dining etiquette, walking, facial expressions, etc. For instance, when you are talking, you should stop using your hands too much as people tend to lose interest. Also, unnecessary chatter will make you look like you are seeking attention. Keep your talk short and sweet. Most importantly, a smile never fails to impress.”

Sobhita Dhulipala, model and beauty pageant winner, says it’s important to keep ourselves updated about the latest happenings in the world and be witty while talking. That way, one can make conversations easily. She says, “Nothing can be more charming than being well informed.”

Your tone and facial expressions also play a key role. Smiling, raising your eyebrows or tilting your head can make you more likeable. Eye contact also matters when you are making a conversation. “More than anything, it’s important to be confident. At times, we go blank when something is asked. Instead, reply with confidence. Even if you’re not entirely right, people may still listen to your opinion,” advises Srishti.

Fashion guru Prasad Bidapa informs that a panel of experts train models for beauty pageants. “Grooming, fitness, diet, runway training, posing in front of a camera, acting, personality development and etiquette play an important role. Not only do we polish them to perfection, but we also prepare them to be fit enough for the industry,” he says.

While things such as your physical appearance (for instance, height) cannot be altered, one can always work on their confidence, looks and still appear charming. “Confidence and attitude matter the most,” says model grooming expert, Joseph Sunder. “Narrowing your eyes, looking straight and putting your chin up can in fact make you look more confident,” he adds.

Keep in mind
1 When you are talking, you should stop using your hands too much. People tend to lose interest when you do that.
2 Your tone, body language and facial expressions also play a key role. Smiling, raising your eyebrows or tilting your head can make you more likeable.
3 Narrowing your eyes, looking straight and putting your chin up can make you look confident.
4 Victoria Beckham follows the Alexander Technique to improve her posture and confidence. This technique helps you to sit, stand and move with grace. A person’s moment-to-moment responses are analysed and suggestions for improvements are given.