Asian pop diva Coco Lee is all for supporting Asian talent: It's also one of the biggest reasons why she's such a fan of shows like Asia's Next Top Model (AsNTM).

"You don't see that many Asians in American television," says Coco Lee, when we spoke to her recently in a phone interview with other Singapore media. "Maybe one or two Asian faces but that is it. Whereas in shows like Asia's Next Top Model, every single [contestant] is from Asia."

Now into its second season, the reality television show will feature the singer-songwriter as the guest judge and mentor for the upcoming episode seven, premiering on February 19, 2014, on StarWorld.

As one of the first Asian pop divas to make it big internationally, the outspoken singer would love to see more support for up-and-coming talents in the region. She was on the judging panel of Chinese Idol Season 1 in 2013 and her upcoming appearance in Asia's Next Top Model has her openly gushing about the contestants that she had worked with.

In particular, Lee has high hopes for Singapore contestant Nicole Lee. "I just fell in love with her," exclaims the star. "I can imagine her on the cover of Elle, Vogue, you name it; I can imagine her representing Asia! She did really well on the show and I really liked her. I told her 'you gotta keep believing yourself'."

She also praised Malaysia contestant Sheena Liam for her "cool, strong" confidence and image, while picking out Katarina Rodriguez from the Philippines as one of the "very marketable" models on the show.

"I'm rooting for these girls [of AsNTM] because I believe they can represent and do well in the fashion world," says the singer. "You know the whole world is looking at Asia now."

Just like AsNTM host and judge Nadya Hutagalung who describes herself as a "mother hen" to the girls, Lee too, is protective of the aspiring models that she had worked with for this season.

"I was trying to be like a big sister to the girls," shares the star. "I actually talked to every single contestant, to try to understand their background, their sources of motivation, to help them reach their goal. I give honest critique. I don't have that mean bone in me but it's through honest critique [that you improve]."

The singing sensation knows her fair share of the hard work that goes into modelling - she has her own horror stories to share too.

Read the full story here.

Click on the gallery for more on Nicole and Coco Lee.

(Photos: TNP, ST, Asia's Next Top Model & Star World, Facebook)