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On winning the contest, an ecstatic Miriam said that she was just "so happy and speechless" after the win.

She expressed her gratitude to her family, especially her cousin, who had encouraged her to join the contest.

The judges for the evening were 'unanimous' in their choice, with two of them - aesthetician Dr Georgia Lee and The New Paper's very first New Face 1993, Ms Angelique Nicolette Teo - commenting on the 'freshness' Miriam brought to the competition.

"She had a wonderful smile ... and great skin," commented Dr Lee, while Angelique added, "The girls today are very different from when I first joined... they have a lot more poise and confidence."

In addition to the many awards given out, 6 lucky girls who impressed on the catwalk will get to model for Takashimaya this Sunday for Singapore Fashion Week. Besides Miriam, they are Jannah, Sheralynn, Natalie, Hamizah and Jessica.

15 years on, The New Paper New Face contest continues to discover fresh faces in the modelling and entertainment industry.

Many of The New Paper New Face winners and finalists have gone on to forge successful showbusiness careers. These include international model Lee Mei McCurdy, actresses Dawn Yeoh, Phyllis Quek, Ling Lee, actress/model Desiree Siahaan and Miss Singapore World 2006 Colleen Pereira, just to name a few.

Tonight, the grand finals were held at Takashimaya Square, Basement 2, and it was another feast for the senses. Twenty fresh-faced finalists were presented in four exciting sequences, together with fabulous fashion and great music. Gorgeous TV host Andrea Fonseka was emcee for the evening.

The winner received $10,000 cash, while 1st runner-up and 2nd runner-up won $5,000 cash and $3,000 cash respectively.

In addition, two subsidiary titles were awarded for "Subaru's Miss Photogenic" and a brand new "The New Paper Ms Popularity" award. The New Paper readers decided the winner by voting for their favourite contestant for the subsidiary awards.

1. GLENN TAN, Group Chief Executive of MotorImage
2. MICHAEL GOH, Brand GM of M.A.C
3. ADDY LEE, Celebrity Hairstylist & Director of Monsoon Hairhouse
4. DR GEORGIA LEE, Aesthetics Doctor
5. ANGELIQUE NICOLETTE TEO,The First The New Paper New Face Winner, 1993

MOST LIKELY TO BE A STAR THIS TIME NEXT YEAR: Natalie Foster
Why she won: She's gorgeous and confident," Anna Lim said.

BEST HAIR: Rachel Kum
Why she won: "Her hair is so long and beautiful," Hamizah Nasir said.

MISS MANNERS: Rhadhika Meganathan
"She's polite, poised and carries herself well in whatever she does," Kwan Li Jia said.

MISS CONGENIALITY: Nicole Tan
"Anyone and everyone can click with her," said Jessica de Costa.