A reminisce of the modelling and pageant days

Sometimes I just like to reminisce the past..especially the modelling days.. For the record, I officially began modelling in Sept 2004. I was offered a contract with Linsan Models, under the model division of Electra Management.. Was contracted with them for 2 years, afterwhich I didn't extend it as I preferred to be freelancing.

It has been almost a year and a half since I've stopped modelling.. it was partly due to my graduation from bizad, where I had to spend more time developing my businesses..then, it was my body that got a lil flabby in 2007.. (ok, I'm glad it's gotten lean again).. I lost lots of confidence and drive back last year..
Even though I was offered jobs and representation by agencies, I just felt that it wasnt just right.. Maybe it is just the perfectionist in me, cos I just did not want to be seen asunprofessional..in the sense that, if I wasnt in the right condition to model, I rather not risk my reputation...

Anyway,looking back at how I got started...

1. In 2004..I was selected to represent my block at the Eusoff Hall DnD pageant. It was my first stint..Before the pageant, I already had thoughts of modelling, but did not have the courage and confidence to do so..

We had a dance item in this oriental looking top on the night of the pageant. I was against all the hall dancers. Being the only sporty one with no dance background among the lot, it was really tough looking like I could dance well next to the other 4 girls.

I didn't win.. just got a consolation prize of a huge Redken hair product hamper. The amount of products in it lasted me like a year?? I still have one tube of shampoo unused..Oh and I remember the gown was from Daniel Yam. We didn't even have a fitting and my skirt was too small. I did not zip it up all the way..Kinda wierd that I do remember such random stuff..

My pageant partner, Kim Liang won! Damn I looked so old.. I was only 20 then.. I think I looked more like a Mrs Something pageant contestant.. The hair-do is so aunty..

2. Not long after the pageant, I joined Linsan Models and was groomed by Colin and Renee. I have them to thank actually, for the catwalk lessons. It was then that I began modelling..

Had my first portfolio shoot in Oct 2004 with some other girls. It was fun, but looking back at the pics, I just had to laugh at myself. I will never post them anyway.. These two are the nicer ones among the lot of portfolio pics.

My hair and make-up was done by Renee. I didn't know much about make-up or how to style my hair (I still don't today).. It was through these 4 years of having my make-up done by make-up artists where I learnt abit here and there..

I did not want to attend those make up schools. No Point.. to me, make-up is an art, and there is no fixed way of doing it. You'll just have to dare to try, make mistakes and learn. I learnt how to accentuate my best feature and got better at it..Shall post more about make-up techniques nxt time.

Another shot from my 1st portfolio shoot. The pics were very much photoshoped..At least that's what I feel.. Anw, all models pics are edited.. it's just a matter of how much is done to perfect that look.

I was looking through all the portfolio pics the other day.. It would be a shame to use them at all...I didn't know how to pose, how to look natural and nice for the camera.. Just soooo off...


3. After a few months with Linsan, Colin called for a second portfolio shoot cos I was to be moved to the models division in Electra Management. So Anne, another model, and I did this shoot together..

I liked the whole set-up. The background, the plant, the oriental look. Even Colin was pleased with his work. We made a new comp card with the new pics and I started using them for the rest of my castings with Electra Management. I learnt alot in the 2 years I was with the agency. Did events, lots of bridal shows,product lauches and stuff. It was a great expereience.

From there, I joined the new paper new face in 2005 and learnt invaluable lessons. Lost the pics though..The finals was held at ngee ann city.. nice long stage and a great crowd..

After the newpaper new face, I decided to join MSU for more exposure and experience.

4. I still remember the auditions at mediacorp. All the girls were freezing in their bikinis while waiting for their turn. It wasn't cold.. it was just our nerves. I met Jade then.. we were childhood pen-pals but we lost touch after a while.. This world is just so small..

I was glad to be in the finals. We went through loads of training, photoshoots, videoshoots, public appearances and stuff. I was happy to have so many people supporting me.. My family, Trav Dear, friends at school, old friends from primary and sec sch..

It was just so nice whenever I get a sms or message from someone cos the pressure during that 2.5 mths was just too much for us girls. We had to juggle school/work and the pageant stuff, handle the bad mouths of the public and worse of all, we were the mockery of some people of the public who jsut like to say: "Aiyo.. lidat oso can be Miss Singapore ar?? "

Come on, how can you judge a person from just a photo, or from hearsay and gossip..I was quite lucky cos I did not receive much of such. Some girls had so much comments and gossips, about how they used to be the exgf of XXX and she dumped XXX for YYY...

I just hope someday,people will start to say: Hey let's applaud these girls for their courage, for daring to be on national TV in a teeny weeny bikini, answering random questions when their minds are drained from the lack of sleep and hours of rehearsals. You'll never know what we girls go through until you are in it yourself.

OMG... Me with shorter hair back then..fairer and skinner too..

One of our many videoshoots. Prancing around in our bikinis became a norm. Getting scrutinized by the public also became a norm. All of us just had fun and dismissed whatever bad comments we had. That's the spirit of us MSU girls!!

hahahaha... OMG.... The dreaded QnA Session for the top 10 girls. OK, I screwed up.. Pls don't ask me what I said that day...(XXXXXX CEnsored XXXX)

The bikini we wore in the finals was cool.. too bad we did not get to keep them. Having the pageant live on TV made everything more stressful for us all.. Timing, getting ready on time.. One mistake made is irreversible and not erasable.. That's how it is...

The evening gown walk was memorable. We all had our mums escort us down the stage. The mums were the most nervous among us all. I remember my mummy working out regularly, for the 1ST time ever!!!! She was really cute la...everyone remembered her that night.

Finally, the night was over! Joanne Peh was one of the judges.. She looked great too! Winning did not matter to me.. It was the lessons I took home that mattered more. After the entire MSU experience, I realised that every dream can become reality.

That was when I began to work on my dreams.. like starting out my own business after Graduation, being a role model and inspiration to others, sharing my experiences with others.. and I'm glad to day I've fufilled most of the dreams I had then.

Now, I have new dreams, new aspirations waiting to be turned into reality.


5. After MSU, I took part in Miss Earth. I joined cos it was a different kind of thing altogether. This one had a different cause. It was a low key event.. lesser publicity and less pressure anw.

This was a special runway show done during the Miss Earth period. We were at the helipad of Westin..It was a party. The music was great, the pple were great. The view was breathtaking!! I could see Singapore at night, in all directions. I hope to get back soon..

We had a pre-event party at KM8. It wasn't a good day for me.. I still remember.. Don't wana talk about it..

Coronation night. This was the finals where we had the usual bikini round and evening wear section for judging. There was also pre-judging where we all were not allowed to hae makeup on. (Well, some girls just didnt get it then.. No make-up means no mascara and stuff...)

I chose this blue, Arabic looking gown. It was from Yvonne's Creative. She has really nice gowns as compared to the rest of the bridal shops I've seen.

(Credits to TNP for the pic)


6. Some bridal shows

This was the last bridal show I did before my contact ended..

Being the model manager of Crossroads Models has also given me the chance to interact with some of the other girls. I'm glad that some of the new girls look up to me and respect me for my advice. I love this job!

I miss modelling alot.. it's not for the $. It's the passion, the friends I meet and the never-ending experience I get each time.

I will be back.. slowly, but surely...