Some of the contestants at the Pulse model search finals, which were held at the Hilton Kingston Hotel in New Kingston on Sunday. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer THE MODELLING world got three more star hopefuls when Cady-Ann Brown, Alecia Thomas and Paul Henry took top honours in the Pulse model searches on Sunday night at the Hilton Kingston Hotel in New Kingston.
Brown walked away with the 'Jamaica Fashion Model' title, while Thomas became the new 'Jamaica Petite Fashion Model' and Henry was named 'Male Face of Jamaica'.
Henry, a 20-year-old barber with a large curly afro, was ecstatic at winning his field and promised to take the opportunity as far as he could. "I just plan to become tops in the modelling thing," Henry told The Gleaner.
For Brown, a student at Ardenne High, she was feeling a case of the proverbial 'shock and awe'. "I didn't think I would win, I thought it would have been Empress (Harrison)," she said as tears streamed down her face.
Meanwhile, Thomas was pleased that the hard work had paid off. "It was a hard, trying couple of weeks. We were always rehearsing, always working - it was crazy, but worth it," she beamed. However, Thomas, 21, barely had a chance to celebrate her victory as she left for school in Florida the following day. The runners-up in the male competition were Jacob Johnson and Tyrone Baker. The 'Petite' second and third places went to Anushka Haughton and Jennifer Minott, respectively. Over in the fashion model category, Rochelle Watson placed second and Sunna Gottshalk third.
Completing the top six in that category were Mickeisha Powell, Cindy Wright and Empress Harrison. Meanwhile Nico Dietrich, Xavier Mayne and Dwayne Campbell rounded out the top six in the males. The rest of the top five petite models were Asha Gonzales and Donya Clarke.
Along with choosing winners, the night was also about celebrating last year's stars, and the packed Hilton Kingston Hotel ballroom turned out to see Serchen Morris, Janelle Robinson,
Jaunel McKenzie and Gucci campaign model, Nadine Willis, as well as the contestants.
The foursome made only two appearances, but each time they came on-stage, the crowd became animated. The show opened with the contestants performing an energetic dance number to thunderous music. It was during this opening number that Morris, Robinson, McKenzie and Willis made their first appearance.
Afterwards, the contestants from each group, clad in swimwear, were introduced to the audience. What came next was a fashion show which featured designs from Jamaica's leading design houses, including SIIM, Yola Grey, Moncrieffe's, DiMarsh, Max Brown, Wright Style, Bill Edwards, Uzuri, Biggy and Mutamba.
The fashion show was immediately followed by the announcing of the semi-finalists, and then the top six in each category. As part of their prizes, the winners will receive two-year contracts with Pulse Model Agency, each valued at $50,000.
