Breaking into the fashion industry is no easy feat, but to choose an inroad like reality show SupermodelMe — and win — takes guts.

Photo shoots, hair styling and makeup seem like mere technicalities in an adrenaline-infused competition involving highropes, surfing and even a martial-arts challenge.

“All I was told was that it would be like America’s Next Top Model but with more action,” says the winner of the show’s Season 2, which wrapped up last June. “I just packed my bags. I wasn’t told anything.”

Filmed in Singapore, the 12-episode show recorded the 12 Asian-heritage contestants as they underwent a journey fraught with hairpin turns and unpredictability. For Avalon, this was a journey of self-discovery.

“The show has definitely changed me from who I was in the beginning. It was very challenging, physically and mentally,” she says.

Born to an English mother and an Indonesian Batak father, Avalon spent five years in Bali before moving to Perth at age 8, where she dabbled briefly in modeling as an outlet for her introverted nature.

“I was a really shy kid. [I did it] to build my confidence, my poise. Since then I’ve traveled, I’ve done stints and I’ve grown to love it.”

She displays none of this former skittishness at the launch of SupermodelMe Season 3, with her English-rose complexion and siren-red lips set off by her body-fitting bandage dress; nor in her unguarded friendliness in the interview that follows. “I’m Australian! We are so laid back,” she says.

At 16, Avalon was the youngest contestant on SupermodelMe. This she wore as a badge of honor. Youth does have its pitfalls, however. “Even though I tried my best, I wasn’t as experienced as the other girls.

I didn’t know my angles, I was still learning,” she confesses.

For the first few episodes, Avalon was treading water. This feeling intensified as the days bled into weeks and she witnessed the eliminations of her peers. Intriguingly, the girls’ rapport was more convivial than catty, unlike other reality shows that thrive on mine-is-better-than-yours tussles.

Rather than a rehash of the tired makeover-photoshoot-catwalk formula, the SupermodelMe contestants were herded to a rugby pitch, a fighting arena and — you’d never guess — a fish market.

“We had no idea where we were going; it was 2 a.m. and we just wanted to sleep. We got out of the car and there was this really disgusting smell and fish all over the ground.”

Next thing they knew the girls were being hustled into hair and makeup for the “Catwalk at the Fish Market” photo challenge. The concept? To pretend they were celebrities being heckled by paparazzi while shopping.

“We were told ‘pose, but not too pose-y’,” she says.

The models were given bags of vegetables and shopping baskets for props and told to wing it.

“In the background there were all these fishermen with their T-shirts off and their big bellies out! Some of the girls got sick from the smell.”

Avalon experienced her fill of less-than-glamorous settings on the show, but it’s all in a day’s work. “Modeling is definitely not glamorous at all,” she says, with a conviction beyond her years. “I don’t think people can really know about modeling unless they’re in the industry.”

Avalon is quick to cite the Mixed Martial Arts challenge as the hardest part of the competition. The combat sport is a medley of tai chi, Brazilian jiu jitsu, tae kwon do and more. Instructor and Martial Combat Super Fight Champion Mitch Chilson had the girls doing one-minute rounds of each.

“I thought, oh this should be easy, I’ve done this in Perth,” she laughs, referring to the boxing lessons she took back home. “Three days later, we were still in pain…”

The willpower demanded by the sport simulates the self-discipline required to solider on in the unforgiving world of modeling.

“When you’re boxing, your brain has to be up and awake because it can get really fast. And I think that helped me focus during the show.”

The SupermodelMe itinerary was designed under that concept: preparing the budding models to acclimatize to the unexpected.

“The most challenging part of my job is being away from home and adapting to the places I go and the people I meet. I think it’s one of the most difficult industries there is. You’ve got to keep in shape all the time and meet people with different mindsets, people who might take advantage of, say, a 14-year-old. You never know what to expect.”

Without hesitation, she adds, “But I love it. There’s always change, always something different.”

While qualities like ability to follow instructions, styling and posing — must-have traits in a model — were primordial, the show took a “survival of the fittest” tangent to emulate the sink-or-swim reality of the fashion industry, for which Avalon is grateful.

“Personality plays a big part in being a great model. You could have the most beautiful face and figure but if your personality is ugly, that definitely downgrades your chances.”

Probably the most worn-in modeling industry adage is “communicate with your eyes”. As to how Avalon conjures her smouldering gaze for the camera, she shares, “Modeling is also acting. You have to turn into a character. While makeup and hair is getting done, I’ll look in the mirror to test some poses. Sometimes you get the right pose and then you have to change the facial expression to get the perfect shot. I’ve been taught to do that.”

Avalon is a closet musician-songwriter, playing piano and guitar purely by ear.

“I don’t read music; I just listen to a song and attempt to play it. When I get bored, I enjoy writing my own songs but I won’t even try to name them because there are so many and most of them are unfinished!”

At 17, she is not short on ambition, citing Brazilian supermodel Adriana Lima as her idol. “She inspires me because I see her as one of the most beautiful women in the world, yet she is so friendly and humble. Her achievements throughout her life are incredible and I aspire to follow a similar path to hers.”

As the winner, Avalon brought home US$20,000 in prize money and a one-year contract with an eminent modeling agency in Hong Kong and Singapore.

During her three-month sojourn in Jakarta, she will model for FIT, Premio, Elle and Sophie under the auspices of Victory Talent Management; besides helping to promote SupermodelMe Season 3 following its March 13 premiere on KIX.

Despite her sudden success, Avalon is in no hurry to overthrow Kate Moss, believing that success is when you’re happy with everything and everyone in your life and of what you have achieved.

“I am definitely a see-what-happens type. Life is pretty much about going with the flow and what is meant to happen will happen.”

— Photos Courtesy of KIX Channel

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