Monique Freidanck(above)
Featured in S'pore Tatler

THE 23-year-old graduated from Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology with a Bachelor of Arts in international studies last December and will embark on a Masters course in international studies at Nanyang Technological University next month.

In the meantime, Freidanck is signed to modelling agency Mint Singapore and has kept herself busy with various assignments.

She most recently modelled for Citibank's Great Singapore Sale campaign, and has also been featured in an editorial spread in Singapore Tatler.

Freidanck describes the New Face 2012 competition as a "fun and exciting experience", adding that it enabled her to make many new contacts. These contacts eventually led to her landing jobs with Singapore Press Holdings, such as The New Paper Wedding Planner exhibition held in January.

Despite having modelled since she was 14 and being part of a TV commercial for MTV's Exit campaign to stop human trafficking, Freidanck said she still learnt new things from New Face, such as how to improve on her walk and be more aware of her angles.

Her most memorable experience was when the girls were special guests at the Levi's Design-a-Shoe Competition, where they competed against one another in groups of four to see which team designed the best shoes.

She said: "I miss having all the girls around because it was a really fun group."

To the girls wondering if they should give New Face a shot, Freidanck said: "Go for it, it's definitely a good experience. You will meet a lot of cool and interesting people as well."

Mandy Wong
Face of Guardian pharmacy 

You may remember her as the girl with the bright red hair from last year's New Face competition. And it would appear that red, which the Chinese believe to be an auspicious colour, has brought Mandy Wong good fortune.

Post-New Face, she landed a modelling gig as the face of pharmacy chain Guardian's Chinese New Year campaign this year.

Wong said: "There were posters of my face at MRT stations and on buses, so that was really cool."

As New Face was her first modelling competition, the 20-year-old - a business administration undergrad at the National University of Singapore - said she was initially intimidated by the contestants who had more modelling experience.

She even felt homesick on board Star Cruises' Superstar Virgo, when the Top 20 finalists headed to Redang for their photoshoot.

She said: "I had never been overseas with a group of people I did not know well, so I was nervous.

"But, after the cruise, I got closer to the girls."

Wong said she was especially close to Shine Koh and Kylie Yuen, whom she still meets regularly, and they would encourage each other during photo shoots.

She now takes up modelling assignments on a freelance basis, and has walked the runway for brands such as Le Coq Sportif. She also modelled for local fashion boutique Bega, and the campaign was featured in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.

She said that being a New Face finalist gave her a head start in landing these jobs.

Wong's advice for this year's contestants is to "have fun and forge friendships with the other contestants, because that's something you can always take with you"

Shine Koh
Making it in Ch 8 dramas

She went from the catwalk to our TV screens.

The 23-year-old appeared in the Channel 8 drama It Takes Two, which aired last November, and has a supporting role in the upcoming Channel 8 sitcom The Recruit Diaries, alongside local MediaCorp actress Paige Chua.

She is also currently filming the Channel 8 drama Gonna Make It, which airs later this year.

Joining New Face had been Koh's dream for a long time.

She said: "When I was younger, I used to be a sporty person and I didn't have any modelling experience. I wanted to prove that sporty people can model too."

After two unsuccessful attempts in 2009 and 2010, Koh decided to give it one last shot again last year before she reached the age limit. She felt "lucky to get into the Top 20".

While initially wary of how far she would make it because of her age, she said she's glad she took that chance.

She said: "As cliched as it sounds, I really did make good friends through the competition."

Not to mention the valuable tips she picked up from industry professionals such as show producer Daniel Boey.

Koh said: "I learnt how important it is to make your personality shine on stage and how to walk naturally."

And one thing she won't be forgetting anytime soon is the support of her loved ones and close friends.

"The finals was the most exciting for me," she said.

"My mother and sister came down to support me and even though I didn't win anything, my mum had the biggest smile on her face and I can still remember that smile.

"Experiencing the support of your loved ones and close friends was really special."

Leah Yang
Bit role in Ah Boys to Men 2

Leah Yang's modelling dreams came true when she joined New Face.

The 19-year-old had wanted to be a model since she was young, and even though she did not expect to get in, she's glad she did as "it was a really fun experience".

It was so fun that it didn't even feel like a competition at times, because of the "bonding" with the "friendly" girls.

She is now signed to modelling agency Style House, which helped her score a nonspeaking bit role in Jack Neo's hit local movie Ah Boys To Men 2 (2013) as one recruit's bikini-clad fantasy girl.

But she said her New Face experience had a part to play in that.

Said Yang: "I learnt how to present myself and I think that during casting, that really helps you to get jobs."

The New Face competition has also given her the confidence to join beauty pageants.

She is currently a finalist in the ongoing Miss Singapore International 2013 pageant, and also represented Singapore last December at the Miss ASEAN 2012 pageant held in Chiang Rai, Thailand.

If you're thinking of coming down to the auditions on June 15, Yang advised: "Be confident and give it a shot because it's a once-in-a-lifetime experience."

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