Triana’s dad is Norwegian, and the mother is Spanish. She was born and raised in fairy Oslo’s fjords, growing up with three ’native tongues’: her mother spoke Spanish and father spoke Norwegian, and when they were all together the central communication was in English.

Definitely, the music and rhythms have been a huge inspiration and influence all through her life, says Triana. Since her childhood, her favorite activity was about singing and dancing, and she would preferably like to have an audience along with the favorite acts.

DT 500 ZINE: – Triana, you are very popular in Norwegian media, as a model, actress, and DJ. How have you managed to hold interest high? 

TRIANA: – THE ALMIGHTY WILLPOWER! I really wanted to work on creating shows and performances. I had already decided on MY WAY even before I started at school. I had a great desire to dance, to sing, to be on camera and on stage. It was my childhood dream. As I grew up, I also started taking an interest in photography. I’ve been incredibly lucky to be able to do what I genuinely love all along.

” FOR SURE: there’s a LOT of hard work behind my success, but it doesn’t feel like hard work when I get to do what I love every single day! I am grateful indeed that I have had the opportunities that I’ve had and the chance to keep living the dream. I feel truly blessed.”

DT 500 ZINE: – You have also been involved in acting, have you had in your mind of doing something more dramatic?

TRIANA: – I will be glad to experience more theatre and cinematography, yes. I hope to get back to the scene eventually. I actually miss being able to go on stage and play a character. I just love to take on a role and lose myself a little on the scene. Pretend to be someone else for a little while.

DT 500 ZINE: –  Thinking about your talents… Which one is dominating you?

TRIANA: – This is a tough one. I choose music and rhythm –but at the same time, I can feel most insecure or vulnerable to it.

” My best talent is the ability to turn everything into a light game. I try to approach everything I do with a sense of playfulness. I play games. Even in the projects that demand a lot of energy and effort. I make choices to try to sustain the playful quality that we had when we were kids – to avoid limiting myself and to use my imagination freely. We must never forget how to play: So many great things can come out of it!“

DT 500 ZINE: –  What can you say about an artist and his/her role in today’s conventional relations?

TRIANA: – I hope that people can see me as an individual instead of some dumb nude model, but if they can’t: it doesn’t really bother me , and it shouldn´t bother anybody else! I can’t spend my time and energy on seeking credit from people who I don’t know and who don’t see me. But lately I have spent a lot of time thinking about, how much ability to influence others, I might have in my position. I find it now that this is getting to matter more and more to me every day, and it’s not much about ’portraying a role’ but rather about sharing the experiences I’ve had on my journey to the land where I stand today. I still have a lot to learn in life, but maybe some of my past experiences can help or motivate someone else.

” I suppose I just feel like my ’role’ is the same as everyone else’s – passing on the lived knowledge to the next person.”

” Someone once said, ”A gift isn’t truly a gift until it has been passed on.” I’ve always thought that that’s a really nice way to put it.”

DT 500 ZINE: –  do you see yourself as a rebel in any way?

TRIANA: – I kind of find the word ’rebel’ to be a bit outdated. But… maybe. Maybe there’s a little ’rebel’ in me. In my point of view, it’s more about being allowed to play, be creative, explore, learn and ask questions more than about breaking up from ’old’ patterns or conventions, which is how I understand that term. I just wish to enjoy my life and do whatever makes my heart happy. If that means that I sometimes have to step out of the ’collective consciousness’ and ’normal’ structures, then so be it. To me, this is whatever comes naturally. I like being out of my comfort zone from time to time.

” The most important thing is to follow my heart, keep learning, and not limit myself too much: That’s when it all feels right.”

DT 500 ZINE: – You have also done some major publications, like for Playboy, FHM, Esquire, Ice, etc… Apparently, you are the most remarkable girl in all Scandinavian harbors… You’ve got an essential body, symmetrical face, and social intelligence. We dare you to describe this combination?  

TRIANA: – Thank you so much for such kind words and compliments. I’m not entirely sure how to respond to that. However, when it comes to modeling, I know that one of the reasons that things have worked out so well is that I’m easy to work with, I am generally in a great mood.

” It’s how it works – most people probably don’t think about it. In modeling, it is, in fact, very reasonable. For sure, looks matter. But: in a world full of stunning girls…, your attitude and personality are what make people want to work with you… The ability to work hard and really devote yourself to the job. ”Ambitious with good intent” – that’s the right way to put it.”

DT 500 MAG: – Triana, you have also started with Burlesque, haven’t you? Can you tease us with more details on that subject?

TRIANA: – At the time it’s been put on hold a little. But it’s something that lies very close to my heart, and I plan to return to it in the nearest future. I’ve always been very fascinated with the 20’s, 30’s, 40’s, and 50’s. Pin-ups, burlesque, rockabillies, and smoky clubs. I remember seeing a picture of Sally Rand during my first year at Nissen, and thinking to myself that I just HAD TO learn how to dance with feathery fans… As a young girl, I’d tell my dad that I wanted to be a topless singer in Vegas, after having seen some movie on TV. It’s still kind of a joke in the family- it is not a typical little girl’s big dream, ha-ha…

” There’s just something with the whole ’feeling’ of burlesque. It’s just genuinely intoxicating and alluring.”

DT 500 ZINE: – Many are trying to divide skills and put them into ‘boxes,’ you have got a lot of things, and you seem like you know how to use all yours, how did you manage to work it all together?

TRIANA: – Well, I don’t really feel like I’ve got everything sorted yet, but it’s a huge compliment, though, thank you! But – just like everyone else – I also have days where things only flow more comfortable than on other days. Sometimes life’s on your side, ya know. Other days it’s just mayhem…

” I’m just like other people: vulnerable and worried that I might fail. But if you don’t try and dare to take a risk occasionally, then you never learn, and you’ll never succeed either.”

” I’m just grateful that I get to try to do a little of everything that interests me. I think like Pippi Longstocking: I’ve never tried that before, so I’m sure I can do it. Certainly: sometimes I find things petrifying as well. I’d never been where I am today without the love and support of my family and friends.”

DT 500 ZINE: – By being in the public eye, it usually attracts some haters, stokers, etc… how do you manage to stand your ground?

TRIANA: – Again, it’s mostly thanks to good friends and support from my family. I know I’ll always have them, and they know who I am at the end of the day. They’re still there for me no matter what. My skin has grown thicker over the years as well. As a public figure, you just have to accept that people will have their opinions about you.

“A lot of people seem to think that they know you and what you are like and base their judgments of you on their assumptions.” 

TRIANA: – I understand that it’s bound to happen from time to time, and it’s undoubtedly the worst side of my career. But as I mentioned earlier: I LOVE my job, and I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunities to play my way through what I love to do for a living, so the prejudice is just something I have to cope with. That’s just the way it is. Fortunately, I’m often met with so much positive feedback from people than hatefulness.

DT 500 ZINE: – Triana, who is your mentor?

TRIANA: – My parents have been the most fantastic support ever since I was a kid. They’ve backed me, encouraged me and let me evolve artistically in various expressions and styles within music, dance and creative drama.

“My dad would buy oil paint for artists and sit up with me in the evenings, painting and reading all sorts of books and plays: Even after I learned how to read. He’d drive me to ballet class and choir practice 5 days a week and spend hours just waiting for me to finish my classes. My mother helped me find a drama school, sew costumes, take me to the theatre and let me play with the video and photo camera already in 1st grade. These last few years, they’ve been equally important supports to me.”

TRIANA: – Also: I have the most amazing friends in the world, and they’ve meant a great deal to me through the past 10-15 years. The unbelievably talented team from Friendly Entertainment is merely extraordinary to work with. I am so fortunate to have the best people in the world working with me, backing me up and motivating me every day, and I’m forever grateful to my team and my brilliant manager.

DT 500 ZINE: – Triana, you are our local Alpha Face. Sometimes it can be more fun to be in Oslo than in other cities around the globe, and it is rapidly improving. What is your Oslo like?

TRIANA: – Oslo is the city in my heart. I’ve been so blessed to travel the world through my work, experiencing and living in so many unusual places – but no matter where I am or how fantastic it is, my heart belongs to Oslo. It’s just the perfect city:) I get so inspired by nature here, the people and our Norwegian culture and heritage. People in Norway must never forget how incredibly fortunate we are up here.

DT 500 ZINE: – What is on Your calendar for ’16?

 

TRIANA: – I’m just leaving for Mexico to shoot the next season of Paradise Hotel. When I get back in March.

“I’ve got a new project starting up that I just can’t wait to start. It’s simultaneously exciting and a little scary – just how I like it. It gives me butterflies, and I’m simultaneously excited and anxious!

DT 500 MAG: – THANX TRIANA, OUR VERY PLEASURE!

Interview by Arthur Sopin

AD by Andreas Roed

Photography by Olav Stubberud