'I need to do better than sis'

Last year, Amy Syireen Marican was in the audience cheering on her sister, Syiqah Marican, at The New Paper New Face 2014 finalists debut at VivoCity.

Syiqah went on to finish second runner-up in the competition.

This year, it is Amy's turn under the spotlight. She was among the 20 girls last Saturday who made it to the final of The New Paper New Face 2015.

The 18-year-old said she never imagined she could go onstage.

"I told myself I couldn't do it because it's too scary to have everyone looking at me," she said.

But her sister was having none of that.

"Syiqah told me that if I didn't get into the final, I would get over it and move on. But if I did, it would be a great experience," said Amy.

"It was nerve-racking because I had to answer a few questions in front of a huge crowd. I don't usually go on stage for anything.

"But after a while, I got the hang of it."

Asked if she was hoping to do better than her sister, Amy said: "I feel some pressure that I need to do better than her. But I'm not getting my hopes up.

"Getting into the Top 20 is good enough for me. If I finish second runner-up like her, I will be more than happy."

Amy is preparing for the final by trying to eat healthy - lots of salad - and jogging at night.

This year's Top 20 made their first public appearance at VivoCity's amphitheatre on Saturday during the Singapore Press Holdings Shop & Win event.

They were individually introduced by the emcee and did a catwalk in front of the audience.

Youngest

CHIJ St Theresa's Convent student Jessica Goh, 15, is the youngest finalist.

The oldest is auditor Sherine Tan, 25.

Said Jessica: "I feel very flattered to be chosen to be in the Top 20 because I never thought it was possible."

She found out that she had made the Top 20 while she was on a bus on the way home from school.

"I was speechless," she said, adding that her age is not an issue with the other contestants.

"I'm having a good time, I'm enjoying this event."

The annual modelling competition is presented by Subaru MotorImage, with official apparel by Levi's, official footwear and accessories by New Look, while the official beverage is Caffe Cagliari by Owl International.

The final will be held on Oct 1 at Takashimaya Square, Ngee Ann City Basement 2, at 7.30pm.

The months leading up to the final will be packed with rehearsals and appearances, which will be especially challenging for 18-year-old Samradha Sanjeev, the tallest finalist at 183cm.

She will be starting her studies at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands in September. This means she will have to fly back to Singapore almost every week for the events.

Samradha said: "This is a good experience, so I'm willing to invest in it. It's definitely worth flying back and forth for the competition.

"The New Paper New Face is the best experience I've had with modelling."

For updates on The New Paper New Face, follow TNPNewFace on Twitter and Instagram, and TheNewPaperNewFace on Facebook. Look out for the Top 20's fashion spreads from Aug 24 in The New Paper.

This article was first published on August 4, 2015.
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