8 girls picked for Round 2 of TNP New Face
Teenager is youngest and first of 8 picks in TNP New Face street hunt and all 8 get direct pass to Round 2
Eight girls are through to Round 2 of The New Paper New Face 2016.
They were hand-picked by five of last year's New Face finalists, who went on a street hunt at Bugis+ and Bugis Junction yesterday to identify girls with the potential to do well in the annual modelling competition.
Eighteen girls were approached over two hours, and eight were given a passport to the closed-door audition in Round 2, allowing them to skip the walk-in audition next Sunday.
The sky might have been dark when the search began at 1pm, but spirits were high as last year's winner Selynna Norhisham, second runner-up Lee Qian Hui, and finalists Vanessa Ho, Joeypink Lai and Melissa Poh started looking over the afternoon crowd at Bugis+.
Within minutes, the New Face alumni spotted the first girl they thought had the potential to do well. The girl, spotted outside Sephora, was also the youngest find of the day.
Shermaine Lee, 14, was shopping with her mother when the New Face girls approached her.
Having never been scouted before, she was excited and shocked to be selected.
She told The New Paper: "I've heard of New Face and knew it was about finding potential models."
The dancer and synchronised swimmer at St Margaret's Secondary School was open to the experience of competing in New Face, saying: "If I can do it, I'll do it."
Several minutes later, the New Face alumni rushed in excitement when they spotted Khin Zarni Koko, 23, at a sale on the ground floor.
The Myanmar national was choosing shoes for her dad's birthday. She was given a passport immediately as a vote of confidence from the New Face alumni.
She said: "When the New Face girls approached me, I just smiled at them because I'm a nurse and I'm used to smiling," she said.
She was happy to take part in the contest because of the opportunities such modelling competitions offered.
"Of course, I'm going to join. These competitions could give me more exposure to the local fashion industry. It's my dream to work in fashion," she said.
The New Face alumni were equally excited about the street hunt.
Lee Qian Hui had been scouted at Bugis+ during last year's street hunt.
She said: "It's interesting to be the one doing the scouting. I now know that there's a lot of hard work involved in chasing the girls we see."
She said she felt nostalgic during the street hunt and said she felt good about the girls chosen this year.
She said: "A lot of today's girls are very young. If they make it through the competition, they're at a good age to start their modelling career.
"New Face is a good platform for that."
All about TNP New Face 2016
The New Paper New Face is a modelling competition that is held every year.
It is in its 24th year and has discovered the likes of actress Dawn Yeoh, radio DJ Jacqui Thibodeaux and model Vivien Ong.
For more information, check out the New Face on Facebook (www.facebook.com/thenewpapernewface), Twitter (@TNPNewFace) and Instagram (tnpnewface).
WALK-IN AUDITION
WHEN: May 29, SundayTIME: Registration is at 1pmWHERE: Bugis+ Level 2 atrium
Wear a fitting top with miniskirt or shorts, high heels and light make-up.
Remember to bring a close-up photograph of yourself for submission to the New Face team.
PRIZES
WINNER: $10,000 cash prize and an exclusive feature in Her World magazine.
1ST RUNNER-UP: $5,000 cash
2ND RUNNER-UP: $3,000 cash
SPONSORS
The New Paper New Face 2016 is presented by: Subaru Motor Image
Official Make-up: Cosmoprof Academy
Official Fashion Mall: Marina Square
Official Audition Venue: Bugis Junction & Bugis+
Official Magazine: Her World
Official Radio Station: Kiss92 FM
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