FOR someone with a self-confessed 'phobia' of auditioning for non-modelling-related jobs, Singapore's top model Sheila Sim has managed her fear quite well.

The 24-year-old beat 300 candidates to land the lead role in a new Chinese movie, Autumn In March, directed by former MediaCorp actor Huang Yiliang.

Her audition two months ago - which required her to convey 'sad emotions' - went so well that first-time director Yiliang initially wanted to sign her on the spot.

Sheila, who has no prior acting experience, and is a part-time student at the Marketing Institute of Singapore, told The New Paper: 'I never thought I could cry on demand... within a couple of minutes, I was sobbing. I can't remember what I was thinking of. Maybe I was just tired that day!'

However, it wasn't the first time the 1.75m-tall model-of-the-moment attended a casting session.

She recalled how, when she first started modelling in Hong Kong six years ago, her agency sent her to try out for a Steven Seagal movie and the audition 'flopped very badly'.

Sheila said: 'I saw him in person and was already intimidated, and still had to act there and then in front of him. I got scared and nervous, and I screwed up my lines. I read them out - literally - with no emotion. After five seconds, they were, like, thank you.

'Ever since then, I told my agency to never send me for such things again.'

But within the year, she was off to audition for a hosting gig, calling it 'another bad one'.

'Hosting was not my cup of tea, and I stuck with modelling from then on.'

But her confidence has since increased by leaps and bounds.

She is the face of Poh Heng Jewellery and was the belle of this year's Singapore Fashion Festival as one of only three local models featured.

Besides walking in runway shows for high-end labels such as Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent, Celine and Fendi, she was also chosen by London-based, home-grown designer Ashley Isham to front his global advertising campaign for his autumn/winter 2008 collection.

When her agency Carrie Models encouraged her to go for Autumn In March's nationwide casting call for fresh faces, she jumped on it.

Filming on the $1 million movie produced by Yiliang's production house, Red Group Film, started a week ago and will last a month.

It also stars Nathaniel Ho, Phyllis Quek, Joey Swee and Bernard Tan, and will be released early next year.

Sheila plays the mysterious protagonist Xinjie, who lives alone in a big bungalow and leases rooms to a motley crew of tenants. But as their lives start to intertwine, Xinjie's horrific past unravels.

Sheila said: '(Before auditioning), I had time to read the story, which I really liked... and also to think about how to portray my warped character.

'This movie is about people with baggage, and I think audiences can relate to it.'

She has not taken up drama classes as 'everything happened so suddenly, it'll be too rushed and not helpful'.

'Anyway, all my co-stars are my acting coaches,' she added.

She also admitted to being excited about the love scenes opposite rising MediaCorp heartthrob Nathaniel, whom she knew before on a social basis because they share the same hairdresser.

Great time

'We have a good time together. He's young and hip, we're the same age and we have a lot in common.

'I am so lucky! I am so looking forward to getting closer to him!' she emphasised, giggling.

As for her movie debut, Sheila seems prepared to face public scepticism that local models cannot act.

After all, only Lum May Yee has been brave enough to cross over, in Eric Khoo's 12 Storeys.

Sheila said: 'I hope I do as well as her. But Fann Wong and Zoe Tay were models before they became actresses, and look where they are now.'

'In the past, whenever any reporter asked whether modelling is a stepping stone to showbiz, I always said no.

'Then I thought, if I have the chance to stretch myself and experience something different, I'll go for it.

'To me, it's a good move as it lengthens my (shelf life) in the industry, whether the movie is successful or not.'

This article was first published in The New Paper on Sep 22, 2008.