Now that I'm done re-posting the 2 blogs from my previous account, I can now share what has recently been going on in my life.
It's been over a year and a half since I last blogged . Shame on me right? Lol .
No worries , hopefully I'll be much better at it this time around.
Even a single weekly post will do , no? :)
Where to start...
SO much has happened in the past month and a half. I don't even have an idea where to start from. But I guess the very beginning would be just fine..
If you've read my first post , you will realize that as I got older, my parents stopped supporting my modeling. It was only okay when I was much , much younger. But after certain developments courtesy of the media and all that, a bad picture was presented as to how models were portrayed. So each time I attempted to ask the 'rents if I could take part in this competition or that school fashion show, the answer was always no.
Now I could have given up a long time ago considering I got a "no" each and EVERY time I asked. This was over a period of what, over 6 , 7 years? It was heartbreaking because modeling is something I was/am so very passionate about. I tried presenting every possible argument I could as to why my parents should let me model...but the answer ever remained "no."
Now not too many people would keep trying after getting the same negative answer year after year after year. I guess that's where I set myself apart. I knew I was never going to be happy if I didn't achieve my heart's greatest desire. I wanted to be on a runway. Any runway. I wanted to get dolled up, and take pictures in fashionable clothes. I wanted to gain confidence and to grow to love and accept myself the way I was. I wanted to wear designer clothing, do the designers justice and bring their designs to life. I wanted to be able to instill confidence in others. Let them know that they were beautiful as well. I wanted to inspire. Prove to people that with hard work and perseverance, dreams really do come true. And that we can achieve what we set out to do.
Firstly, before I tell you about the past month and a half, I must go back to 5 months ago.
The date was Wednesday, December 5th, 2012.
I was randomly going through Facebook posts and I came across one update by R&G Events. They are probably one of the biggest, if not the biggest, event planners in my entire country. They were organizing/planning and advertising a model search on behalf of a South African modeling agency, Pure Management. Now at first I didn't even think twice about it. I just knew my parents would side-eye me if I even brought up that topic. On top of that, I kept on debating with myself, "is it worth it? Is it not? Can I make it?"
Finally I decided, what the heck right? I have nothing to lose. Might as well try my luck. ((This was a nation-wide model search mind you.))
All applicants were required to send in their details. Y'know, height, weight, contact details, and a couple of pictures. I did so. And then I forgot all about it . And the way the whole thing was arranged, all R&G events was doing was organizing the event. They received all applications and then forwarded them to the owner of the agency in South Africa. Only she would choose who she wanted t move on to the next phase or who didn't make the cut.
Now the way blackberry phone's are set up, you can sync your email accounts to your phone. That way, the second someone sends you an email, it comes directly to your phone inbox. I'm sure ya'll know this. I don't even need to explain it. Lol .
2 days later, I noticed a new email notification on my phone. That was December 7th, 2012.
The subject title was my name..... with a model number attached to it. I was like :O ((That;s a surprised/shocked face for those who may not know. lol))
The first sentence read, "The Managing Director of Pure Management has informed us that she would like you to enter phase 2 of the model search..." Just that sentence alone was enough to make me feel like fainting! I didn't even know how to act. I stood up. Sat down. I blinked at my phone. It was dramatic on all levels! I just felt honored to receive such an email. It doesn't happen daily you know. Especially not from an international agency. And SO many people applied. I was touched :)
The email proceeded to state that at a scheduled date, I was due in for a screening to make sure I submitted all the right details..
The screening went well if I may add.
But it all got real a day or two after the screening.
I randomly logged onto fave book and behold...
Weeks later, we had a photoshoot in the actual Mr. Price store...
It really was a fun experience. One I'll never forget. It was memorable on all levels. I smile just thinking back to it :)
After the photoshoot, came the final Phase. I made it through that one as well. I was officially in the grande finale. I was beyond ecstatic. At this point , I'd told my Mom. She seemed to be alright with it.. shockingly. But she wasn't the one I was worried about. My Dad was. Y'know, it's really funny how this whole thing worked out. I failed to talk to my Dad directly about what I wanted this time around. So I enticed Mom to do it for me. This was 2 days or so before the final event. my fingers were crossed.
Now I'm thinking God has seen my struggle over the past years because the way everything went down? It just HAD to be God! And when He says yes, not even Daddy can say no. Lol =P
It so happened that my parents got my sister's final results of her last year in high school. She did exceptionally well. And I think because of that, my Dad was in the best of moods! I recall checking my inbox and I found this message from Mom..
I was in HEAVEN after this! That one message wiped away all my anxiety and fear. I was nervous but excited. I officially had both of my parent's support. I didn't know if it was forever... or if it was just for this one event. I wasn't going to dare ask though! I took what I got and I ran with it!
Apart from the one contract, there was also a live sms voting competition going on. The three people with the highest votes were to get free prizes from the major sponsors of the entire event. However, in no way , shape or form were those votes to influence the final decision. So even if someone had zero votes in the voting, they were still very much in competition for the Pure Management contract. It was a fair deal I guess.I will say this. The live sms voting changed my whole life. My entire family came together and took part in helping me gain votes. My sister was in charge of the entire operation! SHe campaigned for me like I was running for president! I kid you not! Lol.
However, my Dad shocked me the most because he was in the forefront of it all. I think he finally saw and realized just how serious I'd been about everything. He would tell any and everyone , even people he didn't know to vote for me. He told his barber, neighbors, strangers, any and everyone! I was in AWE! That's the greatest prize this model search gave me. Unity in my family. I just knew after that, it was signed, sealed and delivered. My Dad would support me.
And because of my Family..
And the crazy thing is, I'd been one of the last when voting lines open. My Blackberry phone internet service for the month had expired. So when the emails came through informing us that voting lines were open, I didn't receive mine. It was only a day later that I found out. And by then , a lot of people were ahead of me. So coming from I think the 18th spot, to 3rd in the end, out of 20 finalists... bravo!!!! And kudos to the family! :)
February 16, 2013 was the date of the final event! I had a blast! As you can see...
... And this is where the event began! The first attire we were required to model/showcase was sports attire, courtesy of the Mr. Price store . However , we supplied our own shoes and accessories. That's how I decided to play around with the multi-colored shoe laces .
(( I'm a sucker for bright colors! :D )) .
The end result was unexpected. Out of the 20 finalists, 2 or 3 were guys. The rest were girls. And it took us all back for a second when one of the guys was presented as the winner. But rule number 1: never underestimate your opponent(s). I congratulated him. I'm not necessarily a sore loser. I had a GREAT experience and I learned so much about the industry and about myself. The owner of the agency saw something in him. None of us can question it.
I wish(ed) him the absolute best. He should be traveling this month to start his contract.
Makes us proud Damien!
Wishing you all the best<3 .
Blurry picture below but that's Damien in red !
As for moi... wasn't a night of loss at all. I got approached by one of the major agencies in the country. Yayyyyyyy! :D
I left the venue that night in great spirits. I'd had the best time, I officially had my parent's full support where modeling was concerned, and I had an offer to rejoice over..
I truly got a taste of my dream that night. And I grew to love it even more..
I thank God. Cause without Him, none of this would have been possible.
*xo
PS : this blog turned out to be longer than I expected. So stay tuned for the great happenings of the past month and a half of my life. Remember I said I'd tell you about them in the beginning?
I'll let you in on those in my next post. Just so I don't overwhelm you, and myself, too much.
It's definitely been a pleasure relieving all these great memories. And I'm glad I have them documented. I can easily come back to this post and remember in great detail this defining moment of my life.
I'm forever grateful..
Love,
Precious .
