Poojaa Gill returns to judge Round 2 at TNP New Face 2016

The New Paper New Face 2006 finalist Poojaa Gill, 25, has just added another beauty title to her resume.

In 2014, she won Miss Asia Pacific World Singapore.

Last month, she was crowned Miss Asia, a subsidiary title in the recent Miss Eurasia pageant held in Turkey.

"I went into it with no expectations," the 1.7m-tall beauty told The New Paper.

"I was intimidated at first, because so many of the other contestants were taller than I am, but I realised that height doesn't matter as much as confidence and poise do."

Making it to the finals of The New Paper New Face in 2006 opened doors for this young woman. While completing her mass communications studies, she got several modelling jobs.

"So many of the other contestants were taller than I am, but I realised that height doesn't matter as much as confidence and poise do." - Poojaa Gill, on winning the Miss Asia subsidiary title in the Miss Eurasia pageant in Turkey

Poojaa credits her experience in the contestfor teaching her "all the basics".

Now a full-time model, she added: "I've come a long way since then."

Her modelling assignments have taken her all over Asia. Her most exciting job was an Asia-wide ad campaign for Levi's Revel jeans in 2013.

"I had to go for a shoot in Shanghai, which was awesome," she said enthusiastically.

"I had my work displayed all over Asia, and even in New York."

THEN: Poojaa Gill in The New Paper New Face in 2006.

Another memorable assignment was shooting an Autumn/Winter Bata ad campaign that will be out at the end of the year. In it, she plays a young mother.

"It was something new for me... Little kids are very fun to work with because they're absolutely adorable."

In 2014, Poojaa appeared on Season 2 of reality TV show Asia's Next Top Model, an experience she described as "the best" moment in her life.

Tomorrow, 10 years after first competing in New Face,Poojaa will be seeing the competition from the other side of the runway.

She is one of six judges who will whittle the pool of contestants down from 120 to 25 semi-finalists in the closed-door auditions. And she is looking for confidence in contestants.

"The winner is always someone who is confident. You can be smaller or skinnier than the rest of the contestants, but it's very important to be yourself."

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POOJAA'S TOP NEW FACE TIPS

1 BE YOURSELF

"You should let your true personality shine through; don't put on an attitude that you don't normally have."

2 DRESS COMFORTABLY

Pooja recommends wearing clothes you can "move in" without feeling uncomfortable.

3 DON'T WEAR HEELS YOU CAN'T WALK COMFORTABLY IN

"It's not about wearing the highest heels and then not being able to walk properly as a result."

4 MAKE EYE CONTACT

"Most people tend to look down when they're walking, and they don't even realise they're doing it."

5 SMILE

Pooja said this helps to "let the judges know you're having a good time" and "displays confidence".

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THE NEW PAPER NEW FACE 2016

PRIZES

Winner: $10,000 cash and a feature in Her World magazine

1st runner-up: $5,000 cash

2nd runner-up: $3,000 cash

SPONSORS

The New Paper New Face 2016 is presented by: Subaru MotorImage

Official make-up: Cosmoprof Academy

Official fashion mall: Marina Square

Official magazine: Her World

Official radio station: Kiss92 FM

For more information, check out New Face on Facebook (www.facebook.com/thenewpapernewface), Twitter, Snapchat and Instagram (@TNPNewFace).