IF YOU were one of the mean boys who used to bully Povaneswari Shanmugam, the joke's on you now.
The Chinese-Indian beauty, better known as Povane (pronounced pu-va-na), swept top honours at the Ford Models Supermodel Of The World Singapore 2011 pageant on Saturday night with her stunning presence on the catwalk.
She's what America's Next Top Model's Tyra Banks calls "fierce".
So it came as a shock to learn that just a few years ago, this Singaporean student was crying herself to sleep every night because of her unconventional, exotic looks.
Povane, 19, told The New Paper: "When I was studying at the Singapore Sports School, the boys used to verbally abuse me and call me names like 'scrap', as in scrap metal.
"I wasn't part of the popular crowd, and I would get picked on for my looks.
"My prettier friends all had guys who liked them, but I had none. I just want to tell these boys, 'Look at who has the last laugh now.'"
Although the national netball player is still single, she now has her fair share of admirers.
As the Singapore winner of the Ford Models pageant, Povane will be flying to New York in July for the international finals.
Apart from rubbing shoulders with elite models from over 70 countries, she stands to win a US$250,000 ($300,000) modelling contract with Ford Models if she takes the crown there as well.
The pageant is timely for Povane, who just graduated from Temasek Polytechnic with a diploma in Biomedical Science.
Mesmerising
Standing at 1.78m and weighing 55kg, she was mesmerising when she took to the runway with her powerful and sultry walk at The Ritz-Carlton's Millenia Pavilion.
Those familiar with the America's Next Top Model TV programme and its franchises in Britain and Australia will know that the ability to command an entire room's attention separates the supermodel from the wannabes.
Host and previous Ford Models contest winner Christabel Campbell, 23, told The New Paper that she felt that Povane was the "perfect representative (for Singapore)".
Campbell won in 2006, the last time that the Ford Models Supermodel Of The World contest was held in Singapore. Despite her lack of modelling experience, Povane won the Best Catwalk award - $3,000 worth of shoes and bags.
The pageant's national director Colleen Francisca said: "When I first saw Povane at the audition, she had a terrible walk. The other girls could pose and do their turns well, but she was so raw.
"However, after a few weeks of training, I feel that she is excellent now."
The 29-year-old, who was a former Fords Models pageant runner-up, was appointed three months ago to spearhead the event following the change in licensee from Derrol Stepenny to Looque modelling agency owner Calvin Cheung.
Ms Francisca had spotted Povane on Vasantham show Vaanavil a few months ago, playing the lead actor's girlfriend.
Povane had started acting then in a bid to gain confidence in herself.
Judging from the applause and wolf whistles, Povane and fellow contestant Petrina Ann Harriete were the early favourites of the 450-strong crowd.
The 11 finalists strutted their stuff in four rounds - smart-casual, fun and flirty, swimwear and Ford Models singlet and jeans.
Petrina, an 18-year-old Eurasian model who was also a New Paper New Face Top 20 finalist last year, came in second.
She stood out from the rest of the girls with her spunky, short cropped hair, which she had dyed a striking blonde. Baby-faced French-Chinese NUS student Sophie Willocq, 21, who also bagged the Most Radiant award, was second runner-up.
All top three girls are Singaporeans.
They won a total of $30,000 worth of prizes, which included training sessions with modelling agency John Robert Powers and a trip to Phuket.
Since the pageant allows anyone who has lived in Singapore for a few months to take part, there were also finalists from Switzerland, Cape Verde and Korea.
Established by Ms Eileen Ford in 1980, Ford Models Supermodel Of The World is the largest and most prestigious international modelling pageant .
Local models Charmaine Harn and Denise Keller were discovered thanks to this pageant .
Hollywood celebrities Christie Brinkley, Jennifer Connelly, Lindsay Lohan, Kirsten Dunst and Mischa Barton are also managed by Ford.
The judges at the event included local fashion icon Daniel Boey, Elle Singapore editor-in-chief Sharon Lim and celebrity hair stylist Anthony Tang.
Reward
They also picked Povane to win the Phyzique Ambassador award.
All the girls had to complete a three-week boot camp run by Phyzique trainers, carrying out cardiovascular and weight-training workouts for two hours each day.
And now that all the hard work and discipline has won Povane the crown, she has decided to treat herself.
"I've cut down on carbohydrates - such as rice, bread and anything white - over the last few weeks to lose 7kg," she said after the pageant.
"So tonight, I'm going to have my first piece of chocolate in what feels like ages.
"How many will I have?
"Let's just say that there are 16 pieces of really good chocolate in the box that was given to me just now."
This article was first published in The New Paper.
