Aspiring supermodels wanted, talent search in Kuching this weekend

Chong (seated third left) and the Supermodel Universe Borneo committee members at the press conference.

By Emellia Tamoh

KUCHING, July 19: Supermodel Universe Borneo is looking for new and fresh modelling talents from Sabah and Sarawak.

Auditions for Kuching will be held this weekend (July 20-21) at The Stage in Stutong Baru. The talent search will continue in Kota Kinabalu on July 27-28. The venue will be announced at a later date.

“The supermodel search is created to discover new and fresh talents, both male and female, in the fashion, beauty and modelling world, where we will present them to international modelling agencies around the globe.

“For Borneo, we are aiming for 20 finalists — 10 males and 10 females — from Sabah and Sarawak,” Supermodel Universe Borneo (Sarawak) director, Dr Deborah Chong told a press conference here yesterday.

One of its main objectives, she said, was to expose the qualities and unique features of Borneo’s indigenous people to the world.

“This is an international platform, in which we are the bridge to create the exposure and discover young talents to be exposed to the international world including for other related industries like music, fashion, arts and films,” she continued.

The winner will bring home RM8,000 worth of prizes, while the first runner-up and third placing would take RM6,000 and RM4,500 worth of prizes respectively.

The requirements to participate for the male model search are those aged between 18 and 37 years old, with a minimum height of 170cm, physically fit and have model-material with good personality.

The requirements for female models are those aged between 18 and 37 years old, with minimum height of 160cm, has slim figure and a model-material with good personality.

Chong said the requirement standard was a bit lower compared to the international standard to cater for Asians.

“If we were to follow the actual international standard, I am afraid we might not have any participants,” she said.

Participants are required to pay a fee of RM100 to register, in which they will receive a goodie bag with gifts worth RM1,500.

The grand final will be held in Kuching on Aug 16 at Hoi Tin Lau Restaurant in Aeroville Mall.

The top three male and female models will represent Borneo in the national grand final on Sept 1 at Royal Chulan, Kuala Lumpur.

Tickets are priced between RM100 and RM150 to those who wished to witness the grand final event in Kuching.

“From the national grand finale, the female and male model winners will have the chance to represent Malaysia in Bulgaria in Supermodel Universe,” she added.

The Supermodel of the Universe pageant is owned by the Universe Ltd Corporation in Sofia, Bulgaria. — DayakDaily