HER WORLD: covers SUPERMODELME.tv

EVELYN LECKIE CROWNED She came to Singapore as a wide-eyed 17 year old. Then, Supermodelme.tv happened. And Evelyn Leckie had to deal with giant squids, frog-catching, reverse bungees, Zorbing, wearing a bikini at a wet market…and as a testament to how young they start ’em in this industry – a photoshoot wearing nothing but a G-string. Her sweet nature earned her the thumbs up from most viewers and the votes from Her World readers (click to see video). But what of her “posing” skills, considering this is a modelling competition? Well, with the judges constantly raving that they couldn’t believe she just barely started modelling (at a hair show, no less), is it any wonder Evelyn finally grabbed the crown away from the seemingly more experienced Christabel and the often overlooked Kathlene?

At the Zouk finale (click here to see photo gallery) on 22nd August, we finally got to see Evelyn and the rest upclose. All 10 girls strutted their stuff in different segments. Christabel did her thing in the runway challenge with a walk that will soon bring her to London Fashion Week. And after hearing her honest confession about her body insecurities on the show, Kathlene’s pose-off in a bikini with some very hot male models made us feel like proud parents. Was this really the body they criticised for having baby fat? Take that, judges! In the end, Evelyn took away the great prizes, including a $10,000 FEVO Mastercard which she assures us, she’ll spend on her education. And that goes to show she really deserved to win.

MODEL BEHAVIOUR With the competition finally behind them, the top-3 – Kathlene McKinney, Christabel Campbell and Evelyn Leckie – visit the Her World office to tell us what really went on behind the scenes. Evelyn Christabel Kathlene

On why they joined the competition Christabel: My agency told me about the show, and I thought it’d be good for my career. And this would be the fastest and easiest way to add to my portfolio. Kathlene: I joined with my agency and I thought that the show would let me know if I wanted to do modelling or not. Evelyn: My agent sent a digital photo of me from a hair show that I did straight to Karen (Seah, founder of Refinery Media). I got in which was a big surprise. On the one thing they would like to change after watching themselves on TV K: I would stop trying to get in front of the camera because I was terrible in front of it. E: Remember that karaoke day? I went a bit over-the-top because Rebecca Tan was there. I was over-confident because I wanted to complete the task but I think it was too much. C: I kind of wish I self-censored a little bit. I mean, I didn’t really say that many things but I wish I didn’t reveal so much of myself, even though it was supposed to be a reality show. On the toughest part of the competition C: Just being comfortable with myself because I tend to be a bit more reserved and introverted and I might appear a bit uptight on camera. My challenge was learning to loosen up and be more real. So because of that, after I watched the show I thought that I shouldn’t have bothered trying! K: I’m not used to following orders. I get really worked up and that caused people to get stressed with me and not like me. E: I felt the hardest part was the beginning when we first arrived. I was so homesick because I haven’t been away from home for that long with nine different strangers! Our phones were taken away and I felt I couldn’t cry or anything because the cameras were in your face. But the friendships we made made things better. On living with other girls 24/7 C: Horrible. Like never again! K: The best part was that if we wanted to talk to somebody, there’d be somebody to talk to. If we wanted to borrow something – like if someone got their period, you could say ‘hey, do you have a tampon?” If it were guys, they’d be like ‘what?’ And it wasn’t bitchy at all, everyone was pretty friendly. E: By the time we got into the house, we all just felt like friends from school. It was hard living in another country but I guess everyone helped us to deal with our homesickness. On whether the challenges helped them C: Some did, some didn’t. E: Maybe the frog one really helped us… K: The bikini at the wet market definitely not. C: We actually kicked up a really big fuss when they told us about it. I really didn’t see the point in that one! E: And we felt pretty bad for the aunties and uncles and children. K: Yeah, everyone was in their pyjamas! Kathlene on bikinis and being skinny in the industry They kept telling me to lose weight. They said ‘you still have baby fat on you’ and I’m like ‘I’m 17, you know, what do you want me to do?’ It was actually a really, really big thing for them. That was pretty difficult for me but I can understand, because in this industry you got to be really skinny. Which I don’t know if I want to be anymore? For the bikini shoot – because they kept telling me to lose weight, of course I was going to feel uncomfortable, especially with cameras around. But for the finale show, I wore pretty much a thong, all over these guys! Christabel on being an Asian face in Fashion You guys are a local magazine and you know what kind of models you hire. Because of that, I primarily did runway because they’re slightly less picky about runway. Runway’s more about skills and not skin colour. It was difficult and it’s still very difficult. I think Karen has just attempted to change the industry, but it’s not going to change just because of one thing. It’s going to be a long process. I would love to stay here and change the industry, but it’s not gonna happen, to be honest. Evelyn on coming out tops I know my friends helped me out with the voting but I was very surprised I won. When I first got accepted into the show, I thought that I’d be back in a week because I was certain I’d be the first person to go. So, it was a real big surprise to stay till the end. As for the $10,000 prize money, normally I spend money once I get it. But I think I’m going to save for something special, like my education. On their future plans E: I’ve been accepted to UWA in Perth, but I’ve deferred for this. Maybe halfway through next year I’ll start, depending on how well this is going. C: I would love to be a journalist. However, I want to travel now and the easiest way for me to do that is to stick to modelling and try something different. I’m going to do that for another year. I’m going back to London after this, for London Fashion Week in September and also just to model in general because I would like to travel and live somewhere else. K: I would like to do interior design in the future. But I don’t know where I’m going to be in a month – Vietnam, Thailand or Singapore because it depends on my dad’s job. I would still like to model but I’m going to study first and have something to fall back on.

CIARA SCHMALFELD: MIS-UNDERSTOOD? Ciara was singled out on the show as an outcast. But as we found out, there was more to her story than what we saw.

On comments made by the other girls on the show I haven’t watched the show but I’ve heard some of the comments made by the other girls, mostly through one of my girl friends. From what I’ve seen and heard, they weren’t uncalled for. I’m pretty okay with them.

On why she under-performed I had a lot of issues going on back home (in the US) that I didn’t tell people about. My friends were like ‘you were very outgoing, and you just stopped.’ And I agree – I was outgoing at first but things just started wearing me out. I did want to do the competition, I wanted to make it far, but I don’t think I gave 110% because my confidence was shot. I was emotionally, mentally and physically drained. So if I could go back and do it all over again now, I think I would do a better job. I feel a lot better and healthier and a lot of things have been settled back home.

SUPERMODELME.tv the final face off!

Catch the final webisode on Thursday, 3rd September 2009
www.SUPERMODELME.tv

After 10 weeks of intensive competition, the winner of Asia’s first online reality programme was excitedly revealed, at the finale party of www.SUPERMODELME.tv. Staged at Zouk on 22nd August, Saturday, the final showdown, that will be broadcasted online on 3rd September, was filmed ‘live’, amidst a crowd of over 1,000 guests and with the attendance of some of the leading faces in the Singapore fashion industry.

Warming up the party were presentation-flashes of webisodes, images and videos of SUPERMODELME.tv; the star-studded party was accented with the presence of renowned fashion luminaries, celebrities, business associates, media friends, as well as the ardent audience-fans of http://www.SUPERMODELME.tv.

Hosted by supermodel – Charmaine Harn and show producer/choreographer – Rizal, the http://www.SUPERMODELME.tv final face off, kick-started with the much awaited appearances of the final top three contestants – Kathlene McKinney, Christabel Campbell and Evelyn Leckie; who were reunited with their seven other eliminated counterparts.

Christabel Evelyn Kathlene

A photo shoot challenge framed by Jeremiah Ang of Geoff Studio, and a catwalk challenge dressed in Frederick Lee Designs, saw Kathlene, Christabel and Evelyn, pit their tip-top modelling talents, amidst an intensified situation – in front of a ‘live’ audience.

The participation of celebrity and international models to the catwalk challenge – Ethel Cho, Tinie, Charmaine Harn, Kristen D, Kazumi and Yang Xu, all who helmed the modelling scenes during their reign, added a sheer boost, to the confidence of the top three finalists.

With the public’s voting comprising of 50% (internet, SMS, onsite-mobile voting boxes) and the remaining 50% voted by judges – Andrew Tan – Creative Director, The Refinery Studio & Managing Director, Andrews Models KL; Jeanette Ejlersen – Fashion & Beauty Director, Her World; Marcus AC – Celebrity Show Producer and Fashion Stylist and Olivier Henry – Photographer, Milk Photographie, the stakes for the evening, were indeed on a level of fashion-high.

The evening’s fanfare also saw the announcement of the winner of the Her World / NuYou Readers’ Choice Award, which went to Evelyn Leckie and the winner of the Best Use of Social Media Award, which was presented to Fiona Thomas.

Culminating the high points of the night, was the revelation of the winner of Asia’s first online reality programme – the prestigious title of SUPERMODELME.tv was conferred to Evelyn Leckie, who walked away with a S$10,000 value FEVO Mastercard, a cover shoot with JetStar Asia inflight magazine, four days three nights stay at Somerset Azabu East in Tokyo, an Acer F900 Windows Mobile Phone, a Redken and M.A.C. hamper.

Kathlene Chrsitabel Evelyn

“I was so ecstatic, I never expected to win. I am so excited and grateful for this wonderful opportunity I have been given,” said Evelyn.

First runner up, Christabel Campbell won for herself a S$5,000 value FEVO Mastercard, a four days three nights stay at The Ascott in Kuala Lumpur, a Redken and M.A.C. hamper, whilst second runner up, Kathlene McKinney earned herself a S$4,000 value FEVO Mastercard, four days three nights stay at the Citadines in Bangkok and a Redken and M.A.C. hamper.

The crowd’s shrill enthusiasm was further heighten, when five winners who had accurately voted for the winner of SUPERMODELME.tv, were separately presented with a Samsung Preston mobile, handset Xbox set and Redken hampers.

Revelry at the finale party of SUPERMODELME.tv continued on, as the fashion-sassy crowd strutted their best dance moves, and with previsions of greater anticipation, for Season Two of SUPERMODELME.tv.

Asia’s first online reality programme – SUPERMODELME.tv was proudly presented by StarHub and supported by Hyundai and FEVO Prepaid MasterCard by EZ-Link Pte Ltd and MasterCard Worldwide, and also supported by the following partners: Exploit Technologies Pte Ltd (A member of A*STAR), Jetstar Asia Airways, The Ascott, Redken, M.A.C., Tiger Beer, Piper Heidsieck, Russian Standard Vodka, Red Bull, F&N, alldressedup, diva, Dorothy Perkins, Massimo Dutti, Max Studio, Miss Selfridge, Pull and Bear, PUMA, Rip Curl, River Island, TOPSHOP, Warehouse, ZARA, Her World, NuYou, Clark Quay, Mimolette, Red Dot Traffic, Zouk, Suncoast Sitra, True Group, IDP, Akamai, m:idea and Webvisions.

Catch the final webisode on Thursday, 3rd September 2009
www.SUPERMODELME.tv

About Refinery Media
A subsidiary of events company, The Refinery Studio, Refinery Media, a multimedia micro studio, was formed in March 2009 by its founder, Ms. Karen Seah. The core business of Refinery Media is producing original content for the 360 platform which comprise of Web, Mobile and Television.

Refinery Media produced http://www.SUPERMODELME.tv, a 20-webisode online reality model search competition that showcases the challenges and struggles encountered by 10 aspiring models from across the Asian continent. This reality series was launched online on 16 June 2009 and also has some behind the scenes footages being shown on Starhub Mobile.

Together with Exploit Technology Pte Ltd (A member of A*STAR), Refinery Media will be developing a English to Chinese/Bahasa translation subtitling technology called Substream.

Also available on PressReleasePoint
SUPERMODELME.tv the final face off!

About the Asian Models would they date U when they go home

Don’t forget to vote for your favorite model from Asia’s 1st and only online web tv reality show Supermodelme.tv on facebook. Visit the main fanpage to see and click on all the models fan pages to support your favorite or local model.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/SupermodelmeTV/80974482419?ref=ts

About the SUPERMODELME.tv  Models

CIARA SCHMALFELD, America (Native American/Japanese/German)
Age: 22
Height: 1.73m
Language Spoken: English
Interests/Hobbies: Modeling, bargain hunting, traveling and snorkeling
Profile Intro Video

HELEN SWALE, Australia (Australian/Filipina)
Age: 20
Height: 1.78m
Language Spoken: English
Interests/Hobbies: Going to the gym, modeling, netball, fitness, socializing and reading
Profile Intro Video

KATHLENE MCKINNEY, Britain (Irish/Thai)
Age: 17
Height: 1.71m
Language Spoken: English
Interests/Hobbies: Traveling, dancing, shopping
Profile Intro Video

YUEN SZE JIA, Malaysia (Chinese)
Age: 22
Height: 1.8m
Language Spoken: English, Mandarin, Cantonese and Malay
Interests/Hobbies: Playing the piano, drawing and basketball
Profile Intro Video

EVELYN LECKIE, Australia (Australian/Chinese)
Age: 17
Height: 1.8m
Language Spoken: English
Interests/Hobbies: Dancing, music, shoes, learning French, music festivals and Thai food
Profile Intro Video

ANNA SYUHADA, Malaysia (Malay)
Age: 22
Height: 1.75m
Language Spoken: English and Malay
Interests/Hobbies: Sports, listening to music, reading magazines
Profile Intro Video

EMILIA SOH, Singapore (Chinese)
Age: 20
Height: 1.78m
Language Spoken: English and Mandarin
Interests/Hobbies: Fashion, tennis and reading
Profile Intro Video

JENNY FUGLSANG, Sweden (Swedish/Korean)
Age: 20
Height: 1.77m
Language Spoken: English, Korean, Swedish, a little bit Spanish
Interests/Hobbies: Modeling, traveling, painting, gossiping with my friends, partying and dancing, working out and reading magazines
Profile Intro Video

CHRISTABEL CAMPBELL, Singapore (Chinese/Indian)
Age: 21
Height: 1.78m
Language Spoken: English and Mandarin
Interests/Hobbies: Reading, traveling, food and culture
Profile Intro Video

FIONA THOMAS, Australia (Sri Lankan/Indian)
Age: 23
Height: 1.73m
Language Spoken: English and basic Japanese and Italian
Interests/Hobbies: Modeling, travel, fashion, swimming, business, shopping and animals (especially cats)
Profile Intro Video