It all began in January 2005 when I entered a model search with a friend at Westfield St Lukes which was run by Amanda Dorcil from Catwalk Studios. I was chosen along with 20 other girls and boys to be part of a runway show at the shopping centre. I loved it, and realized this was something that I really wanted to do.

After this experience I wanted to do a course at Catwalk Studios but my parents were reluctant to pay for it, so they suggested that if I really wanted it, I should save up the money to pay for it myself. So I did! In April 2005 I did the Catwalk Studios Runway modeling course. I worked on my confidence, people skills and runway walk by going to many "Walk-offs".

By keeping in contact with Amanda Dorcil it meant that in August 2006 I was offered the opportunity to be part of "Frock Off" - a runway show organized by Amanda - and won the chance to model for Supre at Air New Zealand Fashion Week 06. During that same week I had also sent some of my polaroids to Red11 Model Agency, and was very excited to receive a call from Amanda Betts wanting to meet me immediately.

When we met, we really liked each other, meaning from that day on I was signed with Red11! It took over six months and a few phone calls from me to Amanda asking when she was going to start promoting me and she kept telling me to wait patiently and to keep concentrating on my schoolwork as I needed to prove I had what it takes to really go for it. Then the roller coaster ride began not just for me, but my parents and brother as well.

Since signing with Red11 I have featured in many magazines such as Fashion Quarterly, Russh, Black, Remix, Viva and Pulp, and worked for designers such as Kate Sylvester, Tanya Carlson and Karen Walker. I have also walked the runway for Kate Sylvester, Alexandra Owen, NomD, Lonely Hearts, Deborah Sweeney, Karen Walker and Workshop. It is beyond what I could have dreamed and just this month, I GOT MY FIRST COVER!!! I am so excited, and try to play it really cool, but I can't help being really proud. My first cover. It's such a cool experience and worth way more than that money I saved could ever have bought!

Working in this industry means I have been fortunate enough to meet and work with amazing and inspiring photographers, stylists, make-up artists and hairdressers. The best part is getting paid to learn - I have had so much fun working with and learning from other models. I went to Australia and Chadwick (an agency in Sydney) signed me up immediately. I am going to Australia this school holidays to have a go in their market.

I have had the opportunity to meet with numerous agents from Milan, Tokyo, New York and Australia, which has made me rethink about my future goals in the industry, and perhaps to take them more seriously. From this exciting whirlwind of an experience I have learnt to be more confident, not to take criticism too personally (as everyone will get criticized in their career whether it is about your age, weight, height or appearance) and to firmly believe in and back yourself.

Don't give up, if an agency is not interested try another. Remember when you approach agencies, the fact is you have to have the right ingredients to do the job properly. Your chances of being a Silver Fern are going to be so much slimmer if you are 4' tall! Hey it wouldn't be impossible, but you would have to be incredibly talented to be able to do the job as a Silver Fern well. And if modeling isn't for you, maybe think about television where you get paid good money and it is not as vital as to what you look like or your body shape, but more about your personality as well. Keep trying until you reach your goal. Hard work pays off!!!! I have a great relationship with the team at Red11 and Amanda Dorcil follows my career with great pride because it all started with her. Amanda Dorcil and Red11 work hard, are supportive and fun!

Initially, convincing Dad that signing with an agency was a good idea was a bit of an obstacle, and proved to be a difficult task. But after seeing the determination, passion and respect that I have for this industry, and that I was in good hands, he is now behind me 100% and is almost my biggest fan! Having your family behind you really helps because you can get really busy with castings, shoots, keeping up at school, playing sport, and maintaining a social life. It is really important to stay focused at school and prove that you are worth investing in. NEVER forget your friends who loved you when you were just a girl with dreams. Stay true to your friends, because once you start to succeed, mean people want to bring you down and they seem to come out of everywhere. At these times, you need your mates and your family more than ever.
As for the future I am looking forward to meeting and working with so many more incredible people!