[JosephNF]

Thursday January 27, 2011

Exotic semi-finalists unearthed in Sarawak

By JO TEH
newsdesk@thestar.com.my

KUALA LUMPUR: After a very successful search in the jungles of Sarawak, the Ford Models Supermodel of the World Search Malaysia 2011 has picked five exotic girls for the semi-finals. The competition conducted auditions on make-shift wooden runways in longhouses in the heart of the Miri rainforest and Kuching which saw over 50 local girls trying their luck. Organising chairman Datuk Nancy Yeoh said it was tough picking the five.



Exotic finds: Semifinalists Gireen (left) and Lugun posing together after the announcement in Sarawak yesterday.

“Since the start of the search, we had wanted to find that one unique unpolished gem to represent our country,” said Yeoh, who is also president and chief executive officer of Stylo International.

The five semi-finalists are Jessica Bulan Stephen, 20, a Kayan Kenyah from Miri, Chrissy Anderson Woods, 18, who is of Iban and British descent, Ervita Gireen, 19, a Bidayuh, Karen Lugun, 18, of Kelabit and Punjabi descent and Melissa Wong, 23.

Yeoh said the search intends to select four to five semi-finalists in every audition state. Gireen, a student from Serian village, an hour from Kuching, said she was happy and shocked.

“I have always been interested in modeling but never joined any competition before and this is a huge opportunity for me to pursue my interest,” she said. Echoing that sentiment was Lugun, who also said she had always been passionate about fashion.

Wedding planner Wong, from Sibu, thought it was fate that she was in Kuching when the audition was held. Woods said she would not waste the opportunity after being chosen as a semi-finalist.

The Sarawak leg will be followed by Sabah, Penang, Johor and a finale in Kuala Lumpur. The search is open to all Malaysian women age 18 and above. Participants younger than 18 (minimum 14 years) require written parental approval.

For information, call 014-729 7541 or email fordsupermodels@stylo-international.com.