New Face winner finds her voice
Selynna Norhisham says she is more vocal and bold now, thanks to her New Face experience
Anyone would find it daunting to appear on a popular radio show for the first time, and The New Paper New Face 2015 winner Selynna Norhisham was no exception.
Her golden opportunity came when Andre Hoeden, the chrome-domed executive producer of ONE FM's #1 Breakfast Show with Glenn Ong and The Flying Dutchman, went on leave last week.
Six female fans with vibrant personalities were picked as Hoeden's replacements for a full show through a Facebook contest and Selynna was one of them.
After her four-hour stint yesterday morning, the 23-year-old administrative manager told The New Paper that she had been "a little nervous but it was easier" than she had expected, and that it went smoothly.
It was not her first time on the show.
Last October, she was one of four New Face finalists who went on air with well-known radio DJs Ong and The Flying Dutchman.
"I knew from that experience that they were friendly and they also know how to conduct themselves professionally," she said, when asked about working with the veteran duo.
"I had to match their professionalism, especially as I was representing New Face."
There was a comfortable vibe in the studio, with the trio exchanging jokey banter.
Selynna credits New Face with giving her new-found confidence, saying: "Before (the contest), I was a mess... I've learnt how to be more vocal now."
When asked for their impression of her, Ong, 46, and The Flying Dutchman, 60, were full of praise.
The latter was particularly impressed by her confident demeanour and recalled his surprise when she admitted on the show to suffering from stage fright before emerging triumphant at New Face last year.
"She didn't come across as someone who had stage fright," he said.
The pair also enjoyed her stories and "insight" about participants from this year's competition.
Girls as young as eight attended the walk-in auditions held on May 29, sparking a lively debate among the three about whether or not there should be a minimum age imposed.
"(Selynna is) prettier and sweeter-sounding than Andre", said Ong. To which The Flying Dutchman added jokingly: "And she has hair."
About The New Paper New Face 2016
This Saturday, at the New Face 16 closed-door audition, a pool of 120 girls will be funnelled down to 25.
They will go through a photo shoot, after which 20 will be named as finalists.
On Sept 2, one of the 20 will be crowned the winner. She will pocket $10,000 cash and an exclusive feature in Her World magazine.
The first runner-up wins $5,000 cash and the second runner-up $3,000 cash.
The New Paper New Face 2016 is presented by Subaru MotorImage. Cosmoprof Academy is the official make-up sponsor and Marina Square is the official fashion mall.
For more information, check out New Face on Facebook (www.facebook.com/thenewpapernewface), Twitter, Snapchat and Instagram (@TNPNewFace).
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