From Farm to Screen and Stage: Manuela Wenger has persistently and diversely immersed herself in a world full of aesthetics, expression, and creativity. Today, she is active as an actress, model, moderator, and voice artist – fields that greatly enrich each other in her work. Yet, the foundation remains a seemingly simple insight from everyday farm life.
FM42: You began your professional journey in modeling and advertising — can you tell us what first attracted you to the world of modelling, and how those early experiences set the stage for your transition into acting?
M.W: It was the combination of aesthetics, elegance, creativity, and self-expression that fascinated me in the modeling world. It gave me the freedom to express myself in various ways and to discover myself anew. Naturally, this also includes working with the camera: these experiences in front of the lens as a model provided a solid foundation, on which I gradually developed my self-confidence – a necessity for acting.
This sense for individual expression solely through facial expressions and gestures significantly eased my transition to acting. It was certainly helpful to become acquainted with the lively set life, especially during larger advertising productions. It’s similar in many ways to film sets.
FM42: Many models who shift into acting speak of a significant pivot moment — for you, what was that moment when you realized you wanted to explore acting more seriously, and how did your modelling background help or hinder that process?
M.W: Even before modeling, I carried the wish to act within me. I remember a particularly formative moment as a little girl. Since my family didn’t have a TV, we were sometimes allowed to visit our grandparents to watch television. One day, “The Horse Whisperer” was on – and it deeply moved me. I knew I wanted to touch others through stories like this one. However, lacking any access to the theater or film industry, modeling became the nearest way to express myself.
I participated in the Miss Teenie contest, engaged in several TFP shoots with different photographers to gain experience, and subsequently made further contacts through the farmer’s calendar shoot in 2010. I greatly enjoyed showing different sides of myself in various settings and creating beautiful, but especially expressive, images.
FM42: Your biography notes a strong grounding in horsemanship and a farm upbringing, as well as multilingual abilities. How have those varied experiences (modelling + farm life + languages) informed your approach now to roles in film, theater and voice work?
M.W: A career in acting requires perseverance, continuous training, and the mindset to never give up. I certainly learned this from equestrian sports and working with horses. There’s also the simple farm rule: without sowing, there’s no harvest. Since both horses, and acting are my passions, I carry within me the goal to let these areas flourish. To nurture a small seed, besides the right soil, requires effort and regular care. This simple image from agriculture helps me in my creative endeavors:
Modeling was kind of the groundwork; it provided me with some visibility, contacts, and comfortable, confident handling in front of the camera. Multilingualism opened doors to further educate myself in the international market and explore future collaborations –symbolically, this could be the nutrient-rich fertilizer. Moreover, different languages reveal new emotional worlds.
Overall, my background in modeling, my childhood on the farm, and my multilingualism have enriched my perspective on roles. This allows me to bring a variety of experiences, observations, and emotions into my portrayals, enabling me to interpret complex characters authentically and profoundly – allowing them to bloom.
FM42: With your modelling and commercial-work foundation, how do you choose the acting projects you take on now — what criteria matter most for you (story / character / team) and where do you see the biggest difference between modelling versus acting in terms of creative fulfillment?
M.W: Since modeling and advertising are more about appearance and isolated moments, I am drawn to acting for its authentic portrayal of life in all its facets – including the depths and shadows. I find complex character roles and stories reminiscent of true events – historical or current – very exciting. To fully commit and immerse myself in a role, it requires a lot of trust in the director as well as the cast and crew. Therefore, it helps to work with people you feel comfortable and secure with, enabling you to “bare your soul” and show vulnerability. This is particularly true for main and larger roles, but it’s desirable for smaller ones as well!
The biggest difference between modeling and acting for me lies in the emotional depth and personal connection an actress enters into with a role. This creative empathy, which becomes a creative fulfillment, is invaluable.
FM42: Looking ahead, what current or upcoming projects ( Cordula, tv series, fashion photoshoots…) are you particularly excited about, and how do you see your modelling roots continuing to influence or intertwine with your acting, moderation or voice-work in the future.
M.W: I am of course very excited about the publication of this magazine, featuring images created through the collaboration with «Stilakademie» by Miriam Bennouna, the fashion boutique «presto fashion» by Gisela Ineichen, and make-up and hair stylist Lucy Modèle. The photos showcase my versatility and love for fashion and expression. Additionally, I am particularly looking forward to the release of the feature film «Cordula» by Caroline Wloka, Thamar Rieser and Elisabeth Rieser, where I had the opportunity to take on my first leading role as the character Cordula. I am also excited about the cinema film «Moments» by Mano Khalil, in which I portray the surgeon Esther Felix and work alongside the great actor Jalal Altawil. I am also curious about the short film «Die kuriose Geschichte von Klaus (The curious story of Klaus)» by Pablo Zardinoni, where I play the psychiatrist Dr. Nadine Schenk. All of these productions will be released in 2026. Naturally, I am eager to see how these stories will be received by the audience.
In general, I look forward to future projects that combine elements of fashion and film. My roots in the modeling business allow me to merge the aesthetic component of representation with narrative aspects. This enables me to tell visually and emotionally engaging stories.
FM42: FashionMag42 celebrates creativity, individuality, and confidence. What message would you like to share with our readers — especially those who dream of following their own unique path in the fashion or film industry?
M.W: Have the courage to be individual. People are drawn to authenticity, or as Ingrid Bergman said: “Be yourself. The world reveres originals.” Create your life and yourself as you feel in your heart. This is not always easy, but I wish everyone the inner strength to stand by themselves. Sometimes I feel like the “black sheep.” A close friend once gave me advice for such situations: “Imagine you are part of a theater play.” This brings lightness and ease. Believe in yourself and don’t let setbacks discourage you. You will meet people who also believe in you and want to create with you.
FM42: The Actors Home: impressions, how is it to be part of it, and why is the platform good?
M.W: I am very grateful to have been introduced to The Actors Home by my fellow actor Niklas Leifert. TAH is an international community of actors founded by the wonderful and internationally successful casting director, Luci Lenox. The online platform provides actors from around the world with a safe space to learn, grow, unleash creativity, and exchange ideas based on mutual respect and appreciation. Additionally, regular live events take place during film festivals. For example, through TAH, I met Bojana Veljkovic – Tomic Editor in Chief from FashionMag42.com and later her twin sister and business partner Vladana Veljkovic at the Zurich Film Festival in 2025. This has been a great enrichment for me, and I look forward to our joint fashion and film adventures in the new year.
Follow Manuela for more exciting news: @manuelawenger
