THE news just keeps getting bigger and better for local teenager Emily McDonald.
The 14-year-old Kerang resident has now been announced as one of six national finalists in the Girlfriend Magazine Model Search competition.
More than 2000 girls entered the competition, which has seen celebrities including Ruby Rose and Samantha Harris rise to fame.
Emily said she was ecstatic about the news.
“I was so excited I was jumping up and down,” she said.
“The whole thing has been really exciting.”
And it seems Emily isn’t the only one who is excited.
Residents of Kerang couldn’t contain their enthusiasm, with the town selling out of the magazine featuring Emily by 6.30am the day it was released.
Being a finalist sees Emily secure a two-year contract with Chic Management. She said she hoped to continue her modelling, however still had plans to one day study Zoology.
At home, she has a pet turtle, Poseidon, named after the Greek god of the sea.
“I have a pet turtle so I want to work with reptiles,” she said.
“But I’m not really sure what will happen.
“I guess if I get a lot of [modelling] job opportunities I will continue [working in the industry].
“I have a few years until I can actually go to university.
“I never really thought I’d get this far.”
The six finalists were flown to Sydney for a two-day photo shoot and to experience life as a model.
“We had our hair and make up done, then with the [photo shoots] we didn’t really have to make up our poses, we had help from the photographers,” she said.
Emily said she had learnt a lot about modelling and was enjoying it, but said it was not all about the glitz and glamour.
“Sometimes it can be painful with wearing all the high heels,” she said.
“But I’ve been practicing lots with a pair that I’ve bought.”
There is still one round left in the competition, which will determine the overall national winner.
