Sometime towards the end of 2011 I decided it was high time I started wearing make up. I suppose it was because I had just given birth and I wasn't feeling too pretty- OK I was feeling hideous. I went around making consultations about different products and brands until a friend of mine who happens to be a beauty consultant managed to steer me towards Black Opal. (I know this sounds like an advert but I swear its not). She made me buy a truckload of make-up and gave me a few lessons on how to use my new toys. This stuff was going to cost me a few fingers and when she saw me frowning and doing the math she told me they had a competition going and if I took all that stuff I could enter. Those who know me know I like things so I went for it. I mean who would want to go on an all expenses paid trip to New York. She told me all I had to do was get my picture taken and bring it back and I was in.
I went home and started testing out my new stuff. I played around with different looks but hardly ever left the house with make-up on. The few times that I got the courage to do it people told me I looked nice but I didn't believe them. That said it took me a few weeks before I got my picture taken but when I did I went straight from the photographer to the store. I couldn't afford to give myself a chance to have second thoughts.
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| My entry photo |
And then the waiting began. Oh boy it was a long wait. I watched Black Opal's Facebook page like a hawk and my heart skipped a beat whenever they put up a new post. I tortured myself for what felt like years yet every morning I would get up and tell myself that it wouldn't matter if I didn't get in. But it did matter. Getting into that competition was becoming more and more important with each passing day. I needed that validation. My husband always tells me how beautiful I am but at that time I thought he was biased and was desperate for a second opinion. It all seems so silly now but at that time it made perfect sense.
I got my validation. I couldn't believe I had made it. I was happy and I figured the rest would be a breeze. All I had to do was get my friends and family to vote for me and I would be on my way to the Big Apple. I Wonder why they call it that (guess that's something I need to Google later.) I got people to vote- some because they wanted to others well they needed to get me off their backs. Either way they voted. I never voted for myself because I was terrified it would be considered cheating and there was no way in hell I was getting myself disqualified. I did however vote for someone I was competing against. Her name was Audrey and I thought she was really pretty. I still do. Anywaaay I made it past the first round and into the second.
People were just supposed to vote like the first round but then the unthinkable happened. The voting system crashed... too many people were voting. The game plan had to change. We had to go on stage and actually model... In front of people. And be judged... Hehede apa I walk like a duck. For the first time I actually sat down and checked out the competition. I saw eleven beautiful women who and I thought to myself "I'm screwed".
We were invited for a photo shoot and I had loads of fun. We had young hip local designers working on our outfits for the Grand finale and everyone looked amazing. I learned however that models have their work cut out for them. I had to stand on a slope in heels hugging a tree for dear life and still look stunning. And it was hard. The photographer was great, she knew her stuff . And I sincerely apologize for cussing at her under my breath every time she told me to "love the tree". We also did a few rehearsals before the big night and they did their best to teach us how to walk.
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| My favorite photo shoot pic |
On the actual day of the finale I was in a state. I had three major problems- I have major stage fright, I walk like a duck and I an not used to walking in high heeled shoes. Lethal combination right there. I put on a brave face and went to the venue. everyone had gone all out. got their hair and nails done. everyone except me that is. I was going in as i was dreadlocks and all. Everyone had a designer assigned to them and they had all arrived on time... But mine wasn't there yet. I tried to look calm but i was panicking. I couldn't for the life of me sit still for longer than a minute. Then I got the call- it was her and she wasn't coming. She had been mugged somewhere and had all her bags stolen. And all my outfits were in those bags. That was it for me, I couldn't take it anymore. I just broke down and cried. Everyone was really nice about it and one of the other designers had brought an extra dress so she gave it to me but I had to get something from home for the other category. I got on the phone and asked my husband to bring something and he did. He got stuck in traffic but got there just in time. Things were starting to look up again but by that time the little confidence I had may as well have been flushed down the toilet. I was scared... but I got on that stage anyway and I rocked it, even if i say so myself. No one could tell I had had such a horrible day and hearing my husband cheering and hollering in the audience helped plenty too. He made so much noise each time I was on stage that one of the organizers asked to meet him at the end of the night.
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| Rocking it |
While we waited for the judges to come up with a winner I got to meet one of my favorite musicians- Tehn Diamond. Too bad we weren't allowed phones backstage, I would have loved to have my picture taken with him. The results were announced and I was second runner-up. The moment they called out my name my heart skipped a beat. I wasn't Black Opal Face Of Zimbabwe hangu but i was so happy. All the tears and tree hugging had paid off. I was also happy for Betty, no doubt I would have also wanted to go to New York (I had a shopping list a mile long and don't get me started on my things-to-do list) but I was happy for her.
This contest taught me a lot about myself . Now I know I would never have made it as a model - its much too hard, I have a new respect for models and what they do. I also learned that its possible for women to compete without bringing out their claws. I had a lot of fun and I made new friends. Oh and its done wonders for my self esteem and I'm more comfortable in my body. I may not have a future in modelling but now i know that I can do whatever I put my mind to. Will I do it again? Hameno! I guess we all have to watch this space...
