Beach beauties

TNP PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG

THE Full Steam Ahead beach party was the venue for a scouting team comprising of last year’s The New Paper New Face finalists. They turned up at Sentosa’s Tanjong Beach Club on Saturday night to hunt for potential contestants for this year’s edition.

The team of scouts were winner Jamie Lim, runner-up Marisa Ong, second runner-up Charlotte Hand and finalists Pearl Gomez, Lisah Suhaimi, Nicolette Fernandez and Sheryna J.

In the muggy weather, the 2011 New Face alumni had to trudge through sand and fire twirlers as they scanned the crowd for hopefuls. And they were off to a good start after about 15 minutes as they emerged with three girls who received passports to Round 2.

Student Mabel Lim, 22, gushed: “I actually joined four years back, but didn’t make it to the end.

“I guess this year I have a better chance (of making it to the next round) since I have gained experience from my first time (taking part).”

Friends Nina Tan, 21, who recently graduated from polytechnic, and Florence Lim, 23, a part-time wedding coordinator, were there for the party, but registered themselves for the modelling competition as well.

Said Florence : “I’m definitely looking forward to the experience, it’s not really the prize that matters.”

On the hot prospects they came across, Sheryna J said: “It’s so much better compared to the (recent) scouting at Orchard. Everyone’s here to party and they look hot!”

Flight stewardess Nadia Bodestyne is also hopeful of becoming part of this year’s Top 20. The 21-year-old, who was also given a passport to Round 2, said: “I’m really flattered actually. Tons of girls have much more potential than me.

“I hope to get into the Top 20 (as) I only made it to the Top 50 the last time I joined.”

Under the full moon, some dreams waxed and others waned.

Another girl who had hoped to catch the scouts’ eyes was Arina Erezmeeva, an 18-year-old university student. She said: “Of course, I’d join given the chance. It’s fun and it’s going to be my first time.”

Unfortunately the confident lass, whose motto is to “try everything in life”, did not qualify for the next round.

Elizabeth Boon, 20, also made the trip but was less certain about her chances. Said the petite polytechnic student, who was accompanied by her boyfriend: “There are many hot girls here, so if they don’t pick these girls, it’s (probably) like a crazy competition.”

Elizabeth, too, did not receive a passport to the next round.

Kathy Lock has harboured dreams of joining the New Face contest for a few years, but had not manage to summon up the courage to join.

However, the 19-year-old polytechnic student took the plunge this year and was rewarded with a passport to the next round. “I didn’t consider joining before because I was afraid I wouldn’t make the cut.

“But my friends have faith in me and encouraged me. I’ve always wanted to be part of something like this,” she said.

Said New Face 2011 winner Jamie Lim: “Because it’s a beach party, we saw a lot of girls who are more outgoing and more daring. It was also extremely hot and crowded, I’m so glad I didn’t wear jeans.

Eventually, the New Face scouting team yielded a lucky 13 from their hunt.

This means that 33 girls, including 20 from the first round of scouting along Orchard Road, have already made it into Round 2 of the New Face contest.