Found out that she was a
Girlfriend magazine competition finalist. Not such a fan of hers in this shot
(she's second from the right).
Young models strut the catwalk in search for fame
Christine Kellett | June 23, 2007
Six of the seven state finalists who will now move to the next stage of national judging are (left to right
Chanel Thomas, 16, Catriona Gray, 13, Jessica Green, 14, Lucy Fry, 15, and Lauren Moody, 14.
Modelling is renowned for its cattiness and fierce rivalry, and with the promise of instant stardom and an international modelling contract up for grabs, you would have expected the atmosphere at last weekend's 2007
Girlfriend Schwartzkopf LiveColour Model Search to be positively frosty.
But it was smiles all round as a bevvy of primped and preened young hopefuls braved the winter chill for a warm reception on Westfield Carindale's centre stage, where the second round of the national beauty contest was staged.
Eventually, there were only seven amongst more than 100 contestants who could move into the national finals.
They were:
* Lucy Fry, 15, of Wooloowin
* Catriona Gray, 13, of Cairns
* Lauren Moody, 14, of Mountain Creek
* Tess Gourluck, 14, of Bunya
* Tasia Zalar, 15, of Lamb Island
* Chanel Thomas, 16, of Mooroobool
* Jessica Green, 14, of Miami Beach
“Wow! Talk about talent! The Brisbane event was fantastic. We would have seen over 600 girls, all of whom were beautiful in their own unique way,"
Girlfriend Editor and judge Sarah Oakes said.
"It was so difficult picking the top six that we had to open it up to seven finalists.
"We are looking for girls with a great attitude and from what we’ve seen, there is no doubt that our seven Brisbane finalists fit the bill.
"Brisbane is such a friendly place, it is fantastic to see all the girls so happy to be here."
The search now widens to Victoria, Western Australia and New South Wales, after which six national finalists will be selected from the state finalists and will feature in a fashion shoot, in
Girlfriend and vie for the coveted title of 2007
Girlfriend Model of the Year and a two-year modelling contract with Next Model Management in New York.
All finalists will win a two-year contract with modelling agency CHIC Management, in Sydney.
The winner will also appear on a pack of Schwarzkopf LIVEColour and in a Schwarzkopf LIVEColour ad in
Girlfriend magazine.
Brisbane's contestants queued patiently for their chance to impress the panel, which included Chic Management boss Ursula Hufnagl and former Model Search finalist Sam Harrison.
Harrison, now 16, is in the throes of an international modelling career launched by last year's competition, and has travelled all over the world to work.
She said while the competition was tough, confidence was the key.
"You've got to give it your best shot and not give up," Harrison said.
"It gives you a lot of opportunities."
Fourteen year-old Anna Fortunati travelled from Toowoomba with a group of friends to have a crack at the big time.
Despite being a full head and shoulders shorter than most of her rivals, the bubbly schoolgirl said she would take the result as it came.
"I'm here to have fun but I think I'll be a bit disappointed if I don't get through," Miss Fortunati said.
"I always thought I was too short, but I want to be an actress and be famous, so this is a good way to start.
"I'm very nervous though. I hope I don't fall over in these shoes in front of everyone."
Taking a more serious approach was 15 year-old Monet Fitzgerald, of the Gold Coast.
A veteran of the suburban beauty contest circuit, she said it was her career ambition to make it as a top model.
"I don't know what they are looking for today," Miss Fitzgerald said.
"I'm feeling pretty good. I'm just going to be myself and hopefully (the judges) will like that."
Proud mother Judy Hall accompanied 14 year-old Harriet for the day-long cattle call.
She was not worried her statuesque daughter, a striking brunette, would be too badly upset if she didn't make the final cut.
"She's a pretty resilient person," Ms Hall said.
"It's not in her nature to worry about body image or anything like that.
"Our kids are subjected to many pressures as they grow up and I think body image is something that a lot of parents are aware of nowadays.
"The only thing we can do is try to give them confidence about who they are as a person."
Ms Hufnagl, who only returned from Paris on Friday, said she was impressed by the standard of entrants and their sense of individual style.
"Brisbane girls have more of a real Australian look about them, whereas the more south you get, the more multicultural and exotic it becomes," Ms Hufnagl said.
"That Australiana look is so popular overseas at the moment."
brisbanetimes.com.au
