The 19-year-old used to sing at bars, cafes and events with a seven-piece band call Ilusi.

"I was the only girl in the band. We had members of all ages from teenagers to those above 50. We covered a wide repertoire - from oldies and rock songs to the latest hits."

But the law student from Stansfield College gave it up to concentrate on her studies and modelling.

"Modelling is something I've done for a while. It's something I truly enjoy doing and I am hoping to go further with it.

"I believe I'll learn lots of useful stuff by being in The New Paper New Face 2009 and it will be a great boost to my career.

"The exposure will help too."