'I need your votes to become Face of 2010' (From Basingstoke Gazette)

'I need your votes to become Face of 2010'

4:50pm Monday 15th March 2010 in

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A BASINGSTOKE beauty is looking for support from Gazette readers as she bids to become the face of 2010 on a national breakfast TV show.

Eighteen-year-old Natalie Bond took a friend’s advice and sent a picture of herself to GMTV’s Face of 2010 competition – and promptly forgot all about it.

But since she got the call back from ITV three weeks ago, she has now made the final three, been whisked off to Paris Fashion Week and been glammed up for her close-up.

The Queen Mary’s College student, of Ravel Close, Brighton Hill, Basingstoke, said: “It’s been absolutely manic but I’ve enjoyed it – it’s been such a good experience.”

After a long day at the show’s London studios, where she had to work a catwalk and answer questions, Natalie was selected for a shortlist of six – from 150 hopefuls – all vying for the chance to become the face of a Toni and Guy hairdresser’s campaign and get an introduction to Storm Modelling Agency.

Each of the would-be winners was interviewed by GMTV presenter Lorraine Kelly live on television.

Natalie, who is studying graphic design, English language, media and geography at QMC, said: “It was so nerve-wracking. Beforehand, I was shaking, but once I was there it was okay.

“Lorraine was lovely, really friendly and encouraging, and she asked me which models I like. I said I like Kate Moss because she’s used her fame for charity work, and Twiggy because she brought something new to the 1960s and still works today.”

Natalie, who is planning to study an art foundation course at Basingstoke College of Technology, was whisked off to the French capital for the day where she took catwalk tips from an expert, slipped on some designer clothes and caught her first-ever catwalk show.

Proud mum Pam Bond, 42, said: “I’m really pleased for her. It’s something she’s wanted to do but it’s a hard thing to get into.

“She’s had a lovely experience. She’s had cars come to pick her up, travelled first class to Paris and stayed in a really nice London hotel. It has given her an insight into that world.”

Natalie, who was back on Lorraine Kelly’s sofa again this morning, also has the support of her 21-year-old brother Anthony, who is in the Navy, her father Steve, a plumber, and five-month-old little sister Evie.

HOW TO VOTE
Online voting is open until midnight on Wednesday, and the winner will be announced on Thursday morning. To help Natalie win GMTV’s Face of 2010 competition, readers can vote at gm.tv/polls/46355-face-of-2010-vote.html.