Australia's Next Top Model 2006 [Archive]

Sideshow Bob Roberts

22-12-05, 04:19 AM

ONE of the better-produced Aussie reality shows is Australia's Next Top Model.

The reality series is about to return to Fox 8, and so too is its cult following.

Host Erica Heynatz told The Eye that the girls were more switched-on this season, but there was still lots of bitchiness and they were more competitive.

This year, Heynatz has tried not to get too emotionally involved, as she did in season one. "I'm a lot tougher this season," she said.

"I think you have to be."

http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,17610388%255E28957,00.html

Sideshow Bob Roberts

05-01-06, 07:31 AM

IT'S a long way from a factory floor in Brisbane to the international modelling circuit, but Sophie Miller is ready to make the jump.

The 19-year-old forklift driver from Chapel Hill said a healthy dose of self-confidence propelled her from the "dirty work" of her family's spray painting factory to a fledgling modelling career.

Miller is one of 13 finalists chosen from thousands of Australian girls who appeared on Australia's Next Top Model series on pay-TV's Fox 8 last night.

"At the auditions I tried to act up myself, and I told them I was going to win and I was better than the other girls," Miller said.

Despite the bravado, Miller, who said she was just as comfortable sanding and spray painting as she was posing for the camera, was nervous about how she would be perceived once the series aired.

Another Brisbane contender, office assistant Jessica French, 20, said she was nervous waiting for the show to air because a different side of her personality was revealed.

"It was a difficult time and a very challenging environment and I probably didn't act as I normally would," she said.

For 10 weeks the two Brisbane girls, along with 11 others from around the country, completed gruelling physical challenges including an army obstacle course and hard-core fitness and stamina workouts.

They worked 20-hour days, lived with 11 other girls, were repeatedly transformed for photo shoots and catwalk shows and were judged on how they looked and acted.

But neither will reveal the final result.

"I did good, I was proud of myself and just glad I made it on to the show," Miller said.

French was equally as evasive.

"I will just let you know I did very well," she said.

The show's judges included the host, Australian model and TV presenter Erika Heynatz, fashion designer Alex Perry and fashion show producer Victoria Fisher.

Miller said there were times when she found Erika Heynatz hard to take.

"During some parts I didn't really like Erika, she gave me a mouthful about being a smoker and she's a smoker herself so I thought that was a bit two-faced," Miller said.

Neither Miller nor French are allowed to work as models until all 10 episodes of the show have been aired, but both say they will pursue modelling careers.

Source (http://entertainment.news.com.au/story/0,10221,17735439-10229,00.html)