New Face gave local actress Jayley Woo her signature haircut
New Face 2011 finalist Jayley Woo called her entry into The New Paper's modelling contest fate.
The 24-year-old local actress had gone to the auditions merely to accompany her twin sister Hayley, who is also now an actress.
But Woo was told she was not allowed into the audition area unless she was auditioning as well.
So she made what turned out to be a life-changing decision and signed up for the contest as well.
Woo ended up making the cut, but her sister did not.
On a possible reason, Woo told TNP: "The judges asked if we were willing to cut our hair. I said 'okay, free haircut'.
"But my sister, whose hair was waist-length, asked 'how short?'.
"I think 'can we cut your hair' wasn't a question, but a statement."
That haircut gave Woo her signature pixie hairstyle that she said made her "stand out" and "differentiated" her from her sister.
She said: "I really need to thank TNP. That's the hairstyle that got me to a lot of places."
Woo is signed as an artist to Mediacorp and has starred in Channel 8 dramas such as Beyond Words, The Queen and Tiger Mum.
At last month's Star Awards 2016, she even won a Top 10 Most Popular Female Artistes award.
Woo said: "I didn't get many modelling offers (after New Face), but I feel like I'm not the modelling type anyway.
"I received a few artist management offers and picked Mediacorp because it was the safest choice."
She added: "I didn't really think acting was something I would grow to love. It doesn't feel like work for me. Earning money (from acting) is like a bonus."
But she confessed that before New Face, she was not someone used to being in front of the camera.
She had no modelling experience, except for photo shoots for blogshop.
FUN
On her experience with New Face, Woo said: "It was fun. With the girls, it was mostly just chilling.
"But at the (finale), where we had the catwalk, that was scary. I remember the huge crowd at (2011's finale venue) Takashimaya.
"It was the bonding that makes the whole experience worth it."
Woo said she did not face many difficulties in New Face.
She said: "When it comes to instructions, I can follow quite well.
"Whatever (the New Face staff) do for you, it's for your own good. Follow the professionals' advice."
She advised those keen on joining this year's contest to "just be happy and be you".
She said: "That's the most beautiful you can be and no one can take that from you.
"It doesn't matter what size or shape you are. There will be someone who will appreciate you for you."
Tune in live to the New Face 16 walk-in audition on our Facebook page on Sunday from 1pm.
About The New Paper New Face 2016
Mediacorp actress Jayley Woo credited New Face for providing her the "stepping stone" to who she is today, adding that it is a "good start" for those who wish to enter the entertainment industry.
Many New Face alumni have joined the industry, such as actresses Julie Tan and Atikah Suhaime, models Sara Chan, Diya Prabhakar and Lisah Suhaimi, Night Owl Cinematics star Aurelia Ng and social media star Sophie Willocq.
The winner of The New Paper New Face 2016 will walk away with a $10,000 cash prize and an exclusive feature in Her World.
The first runner-up will get $5,000, and the second runner-up $3,000.
The walk-in audition on Sunday will be the final chance for you to be in New Face 16. Registration is at Bugis+ Level 2 atrium from 1pm.
For updates, go to TNPNewFace on Facebook, Snapchat, Twitter and Instagram.
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