She was the only girl chosen among thousands to represent Singapore in
the current fourth season of Asia's Next Top Model (AsNTM), the Asian
spin-off of US reality TV show America's Next Top Model.
And she would not have had the chance if it hadn't been for The New Paper New Face contest.
After all, it was at the New Face walk-in audition at Bugis+ that AsNTM directors scouted Miss Angie Watkins for their show.
Miss Watkins, a finalist in New Face last year and winner of
subsidiary title Miss Cagliari Cosmopolitan, told The New Paper: "I
actually wasn't going to audition for New Face. My boyfriend's mother
told me to do it or she'd be angry with me so I went ahead. And look
where it's taken me... That day literally kick-started everything."
The 20-year-old model added: "For the girls who aren't sure if they
should join New Face (this year), they should just go for it...
"When I got off the stage, even before I knew I had made it (through
to the next round), I felt so good about myself. I faced my fears by
walking on this huge stage with a huge crowd staring at me. The bottom
line is, there's no harm in trying."
Fast forward to 2016 and Miss Watkins - whose father is Australian
and mother is Chinese Singaporean - is tackling gruelling weekly photo
shoots and challenges posed to the 14 finalists on AsNTM.
Unfortunately, she was eliminated in last night's episode and ended up in fifth place.
The remaining girls are Julian Flores (Philippines), Patricia Gunawan
(Indonesia), Sang In Kim (Korea) and Jiratchaya "Tawan" Kedkong
(Thailand).
The series airs on Wednesdays at 9pm on Star World (StarHub TV Ch 501/Singtel TV Ch 301).
SHOCK
Said Miss Watkins, who started modelling at 14: "I was actually
shocked I got so far. When I first joined, I didn't have much confidence
in my ability to beat the other girls who were so beautiful and had
many more years of modelling experience. I didn't unpack until the fifth
week of the competition.
"My goal from the start was not to win, but to not be kicked out the first week."
She has since garnered a fan base with several Instagram pages
dedicated to her. Her Facebook page has 4,500 followers, her Instagram
account - which had less than 1,000 followers pre-AsNTM - now boasts
over 37,000 followers.
But Miss Watkins still has her share of haters. Instagram trolls have
left comments on her posts, calling her the "bitchiest girl in the
house" due to her outspoken nature.
In one episode, contestants had to don bikinis and have water splashed on them for a photo shoot for skincare brand Neutrogena.
UPSET
Miss Watkins was initially so upset by the two-piece swimsuit she was
given that she refused to participate in the shoot - even if it meant
getting eliminated from the competition.
She said: "The top I was given was completely see-through.I felt very
uncomfortable because the crew were all men, plus millions of (viewers
would be) seeing my assets.
"I knew they could censor it for TV, but I just felt uncomfortable
because there's a difference between showing cleavage and your entire
breasts.
"But I did it because I trusted (AsNTM's Taiwanese-American creative
consultant and judge) Yu Tsai, and (editor-in-chief of Harper's Bazaar
Singapore and guest judge of the episode) Kenneth (Goh) told me he would
protect my modesty."
It does not help that the slender Miss Watkins - who stands at 1.72m
and weighs 45kg - has size 32D breasts, which she claimed have been a
hindrance on the job.
She said: "Sometimes things will fit my shoulders and waist nicely,
but at the chest area, the buttons will be popping (out) or something,
which sucks because sample sizes are fixed.
"It makes it difficult because my chest is just a completely
different size from the rest of my body, and it makes clothes look weird
on me.
"It's good and bad though. For bridal photo shoots, it's perfect
because I can hold the dress up, but (my figure) doesn't really suit
high fashion. (The art directors) like the model (to be) flat-chested."
Now that her AsNTM stint is over, Miss Watkins, who is signed to
Basic Models Management, hopes to further her modelling career overseas
next year.
Her dream job would be walking the runway at a Victoria's Secret Fashion Show.
"I have boobs, so why not?" she said playfully.
JUDGE TOLD HER OFF FOR SPEAKING UP
In one episode, she couldn't help but speak out about creative consultant-judge Yu Tsai, who tends to shout at the contestants.
She was distracted by his methods and found him intimidating.
During the judging session, in front of the other judges and
participants, she told him "maybe a little less shouting" would help.
Her remarks angered Yu Tsai, who immediately said: "Oh no, you're
done with me today. You don't get to tell me what to do, when to do it
and how to do it."
Miss Watkins then realised her mistake and tearfully apologised.
She said: "I regret the way I said it as it came across as very rude, but that was not my intention whatsoever.
"Although I shouldn't have said it, it made our relationship stronger
in the long run... After the incident, it hit me that I'm just a model
and I shouldn't be saying these kinds of things."
HOW TO JOIN
Now in its 24th year, The New Paper New Face has been the first step towards a career for many women.
Actresses Julie Tan, Jayley Woo and Atikah Suhaime are former New
Face contestants - as are models Vivien Ong and Diya Prabhakar, fashion
designer Velda Tan and social media stars Sophie Willocq and Eunice
Annabel Lim.
If you want a shot at the competition, here are three ways you can join:
SOCIAL HUNT
On Instagram, tag @TNPNewFace to your photo (just one photo) and add
the hashtag #TNPNewFace16. Ten girls will be picked to advance to Round
2. The closing date is Sunday.
STREET HUNT
On May 22, last year's top 20 contestants will be at Bugis Junction and Bugis+ to spot girls to put through to Round 2.
WALK-IN AUDITION
There will only be one walk-in audition to get through to Round 2.
On May 29, register at Bugis+ Level 2 atrium between 1pm and 2pm.
