Twelve South Coast and Illawarra beauties have faced the judges for the finals of Illawarra’s Top Model.
A trip to Europe and a contract with Germany-based Core Artist Management awaits the contest winner.
The agency’s Illawarra-raised founder, Paul Hay, joined a panel of judges for Saturday’s show, which followed a round of contestant interviews on Friday.
Mr Hay told the Mercury he favoured models with an “outside the box” look, but the competition winner would also need to create a “wow effect” on the runway.
“You can see an uncut diamond, but whether or not they’re actually going to be able to put themselves up there on stage and take off the rock around them and sparkle is another story,” he said, ahead of Saturday’s show at Novotel North Beach.
“I’m very undecided. I have my six [favourites] but it’s really going to be about what happens on stage.
“Judging is harder this year than it was last year.”
The finalists are: Carmen Williams, Sam McGlone, Shania Montero, Wyatt Brennan, Kewana Whaddy Parsons, Jinima Whaddy Parsons, Olivia Strumfin, Natalie Barker, Chloe Ryan, Ashleigh Doherty, Bree Millar and Ellen McMullen.
The contest requires entrants to raise funds for mental health-related causes. Winners will be announced at a ball on October 22.
