My Version chats to Kiwi stars and people of influence to give a glimpse into their time as a teen and see the things they are currently obsessed with!

Say hello to Kiwi musician, Moana Ete aka Mo Etc.

Obsessed RN.

Currently bingeing:

I’m sucker for any NBA Documentary, Last Dance, Malice at the Palace, Iverson, D. Wade Life Unexpected, and Shaqille O’Neils Docuseries ‘Shaq’ is so well put together. Tracking his entire life story, his relationship with his step dad and family, his wins and regrets I think is really balanced and nuanced. Plus the soundtrack is chefs kiss!

Song on repeat:

Moonlight, Kali Uchis. It’s a certified bop.

Favourite Insta account to follow: 

@wa_ll_ace is a beautiful Wellington artist, I make sure to watch all her stories. She shares the best tiktoks, truly excellent curation.

Must have beauty product:

SUN SCREEN. I cannot stress enough. Doesn’t matter what type, doesn’t matter if it’s ‘body screen for sun and surf’ if it’s all I’ve got that’ll do on my face. I put on every single day without fail. Sunscreen and a sunhat or cap.

The item of clothing I’m definitely over wearing:

My grey/cream thick woollen jersey. It’s big and oversized and so comfy. I used to think was a bit frumpy but every time I wear it, girlies feel compelled to touch it and comment how authentic/well-made it is so I’m going to embrace the frump!

Currently reading:

BIG MAGIC by Elizabeth Gilbert. I read it when it first came out in 2015 but has been a God send recently as I release new music it is really speaking straight to my heart.

Snacking on:

Roasted Seaweed and instant Miso! YUM!

Can’t stop watching on TikTok:

@pehia_king - there are not enough laughing emojis in the world, she is an absolute gem.

Next place on the list to travel to:

Murren Via Ferratta, Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland. There is a hike I really want to do so badly that takes you right to the cliffs edge so it’s a MUST when I get to EU/UK this year!

I’m currently inspired by:

Mountains, hills, nature walks. The quality of the air. When it’s fresh and clean I’m super inspired and grateful to be breathing.

My favourite way to relax is:

Meditation. I have a great little garden and when it’s nice I’ll sit outside on a cushion, legs crossed and meditate. My favourite guided meditations are by Moochi. You can YouTube ‘Guided Mediations Moochi’ and really transcend.

I stay healthy by:

Walking everywhere (Wellington is a great place to walk to and from town easily), swimming in live bodies of water (Wellington South Coast beaches will make you tough as nails), biking (again, Wellington has great/easy bike lanes) right now working on getting more sleep then I’m practically super human.

When I was younger…

One thing I love about Gen-Z is:

Their kind spirits. They’re open-minded and have pure ideals.

If I could give my teenage self one bit of advice, what would it be:

Absolutely everything you dream for COMES TRUE it just LOOKS nothing like what you thought it would look like but if FEELS exactly as you dreamt it.

My dream job as a teen was:

What I’m doing now, being creative, writing music and performing.

My favourite part of being a teenager was:

How music/movies & theatre hit different. Now music and stage/screen is my job but hen I was a teenager I really relied on artists and stories to help me work through all of my big emotions.

Best piece of advice I ever received as a teen was:

Have lots of boyfriends.’ That was from my Grandmother. I think what she really meant was to not put all my love and attention into one person. To let my love and attention flow freely. I must say, for someone like me, a creative and free spirit I’ve felt most bogged down and ‘not myself’ when I’ve been confined or restricted to one thing. And I think my grandmother saw this is me. So it has been sound advice that I don’t really apply to boyfriends anymore but to everything in life. Have lots of life! Lots of experiences.; have lots of besties, have lots of parties, have lots of different experiences.

My first job was:

Being a helper at Strathmore Holiday Programme. Playing with kids. Running activities. I love kids so childcare and looking after babies at Aoga Amata (Samoan Early Childhood Centers) were my first jobs.

My biggest fashion faux-pas was:

Big chunky belts over my shirts like wow.

My biggest inspiration was:

As a teen I was so inspired by Actor/Musicians. Be Kind Rewind’s duo Jack Black, Mos Def (now Yasiin Bey). That was a real inspiration to me seeing these artists who were both in music and acting. Even now it’s artists like Donald Glover/Childish Gambino that are my big inspirations.

Check out Mo Etc’s new EP, BUOYS, here.