Last chance to join New Face

The New Paper New Face 2013 finalists gave nine girls passports to Round 2 of New Face 2014 after Saturday's street hunt at Bugis+.

With the social media hunt closing today, the walk-in auditions are the last chance to join.

The first prize is $10,000 and a feature in Her World magazine.

Runners-up win up to $5,000, and all 20 finalists will get a fashion spread in The New Paper and training from Singapore's top show producer Daniel Boey.

Though New Face turns 22 this year, hopefuls are now only as old as they look, since the age limit has been removed.

Ms Chanel Lyn, 24, would have been just out of the previous 14 to 23 age limit.

The Murdoch University student has done freelance modelling for events and print ads, but is entering New Face for the first time.

She said, of receiving a passport: "It's a lucky year for me, since there's no age limit this time. I'm not sure what they're looking for, so I'll just be myself.

ADVANTAGE

"Having experience at events, I've become more exposed to talking to people, so I think that could be one advantage."

Miss Nicole Salomons Green, 25, has been waiting for her chance to join New Face for almost a decade.

She has been interested in the competition since she was in secondary school, but she could not join after she graduated because she went to Australia to continue her studies.

Miss Green, who now works in the fashion industry as a buyer and operations manager, said: "I was here last year, but I was above the age limit since I was 24.

"I came to look for the street hunt team, now that it's without the age limit."

After the team gave her a passport, she said: "I'm excited. I'll start exercising and work on being comfortable in front of the camera."

ANOTHER CHANCE

Some girls are hoping for a second chance at the competition.

Ms Aurelia Ng, 21, was in the top 50 last year. She approached the team and was granted a passport.

The recent graduate from Singapore Polytechnic said: "I'm just trying my luck again this year. Maybe I'll get in this time."

After hours of hunting, the team decided not to give out the maximum 10 passports.

Ms Clarissa Teo, 21, a 2013 finalist, said: "There were a lot who approached us, so we had plenty of choices. But out of over 20, we chose only nine.

"I hope we see more during the walk-in audition, because there were some groups of pretty girls who left before we could approach them."

Fellow finalist Ferlin Leung, 22, said: "Overall, it was good. But some girls thought if we took their photo, they'd definitely get the passport."

Being considered by the team is one thing, but bypassing the walk-in audition is harder.

Miss Leung said: "The girls were up to our expectations. Some have sharp features, some have edgy attitudes and different looks, there's a wide range.

"In any case, if you didn't get a passport, you could still try the walk-in audition."

Last year's finalists will also be at the walk-in audition to provide encouragement.