An introduction

Before I was even a teenager I used to watch the Next Top Model shows. My older sister, Robyn, would go to Tae-Kwon-Do classes every Wednesday and Friday, and in the time between dropping her off and picking her up I would watch an episode of America's or Britain's Next Top Model with my mum. I remember prancing up and down the lounge in the ad breaks, practising my walk, and telling her "I'm going to go on this show one day." Obviously, I had no idea at that point that it would one day become a reality.

Growing up I would always receive comments on my slender physique and height. My Dad and brothers are all over 6ft in height, and from a young age you could tell that I had the Hough height gene. I was also blessed with a very fast metabolism, meaning that throughout my life I have been able to stuff my face with as many cakes and chocolate bars as I fancy without putting on a single pound, much to the envy of my friends. However, I never really thought of modelling as a possibility for me. Living in Cornwall I thought that I was too far away from the main fashion hub to ever have a chance of chasing my dreams, although I now realise this mentality was silly. So, throughout my teen years I never had any modelling experience. No test shoots, no castings, no catwalks. Nothing. The only thing I ever tried was sending some amateur and overly posy photos to some London modelling agencies when I was about 16. Not to my surprise, I didn't receive a response.

It was February 2016, and as I was entering my second year of College I came across Cycle 10 of Britain's Next Top Model. I hadn't watched it in a few years due to not having the channel, but now I was seeing it advertised all over social media. I saw that they were taking applications for their next cycle, Cycle 11, and that I was finally eligible to apply now that I was 18. I had a spare evening so looked up the web page and began filling in the form, just for fun. Although, this was no ordinary form, as it took me about 40 minutes to complete. I wasn't really thinking too much about what I was writing, as I didn't think that it would lead to anything. I sent some photos and got to the last page of the application; a video. I needed to complete two videos; a 10 minute get to know you video, and a quick 60 second video. After filling in a form for almost an hour, the last thing I wanted to do at 8pm on a cold February evening was film and edit two videos. So, without another thought, I closed the webpage.

The next day, I was on a busy college bus with my friends Amy and Jess heading down into town. It was a Tuesday, meaning I had finished at 12:20pm for the day and was heading home. I was sat on the bus, chatting to my friends, when my phone began to ring. It was an unknown number, so I hesitated, but then answered my phone. To my surprise, it was Sophie from Britain's Next Top Model! I sat there on this crowded bus trying to contain my excitement, as my two friends looked at me in complete confusion. It turns out that my application had sent automatically, and that BNTM loved my application and really wanted me to send them the two videos. This was the start of my Britain's Next Top Model journey.

I created and sent the videos off to the BNTM team, and for the next few weeks I kept receiving emails to let me know I had made it to the next stage. With every email, I realised more and more how much I wanted to get onto the show, and the more my determination grew. Fast forward to 14th July 2016, and I was in London with my Mum for my audition. I don't think I have ever been so terrified in my whole life, my whole body was shaking and I felt sick to my stomach. My Mum and I stayed at the Grafton Hotel and made our way to the venue. Obviously, on the way, I broke my shoes, which made my nerves SO much better. I left my Mum at the door and went inside.

The crew were so lovely and took pictures of me with my number. I also met a Models 1 scout, who asked me to walk for them, and met Liv from the BNTM team. This was my first experience of the industry and I was surprised by how nice everybody was being to me. Liv sat with me before my audition and was speaking to me, asking me to show her my "best model face" and "gimme a pose!" At the time, I was so nervous I couldn't do any of it. However, after speaking to Liv since, she told me she was trying to relax me as she wanted me to do really well.

After what seemed like forever, it was my turn to audition. In front of me was a row of producers and team members, as well as a familiar face. Jenna from cycle 10! Let's just say, I was a little star struck.

After my audtition I kept receiving more and more emails and phone calls letting me know I had made it to another round, and another round, until I was told that I was on the shortlist. I was so excited. So many thousands of girls apply for this show, and with no experience or knowledge of the industry I had made it this far. I was told that the judges would be deciding who was going to make it into the top 12, and that I had to wait for a phone call for up to 8 hours with a camera ready to record my reaction if I received a call. I sat with my Dad in my lounge all day waiting for a call, but I never received it. A few days later I had a call from David, who I now know very well, a Producer on BNTM, letting me know that I unfortunately had not made it this time, however I was the stand by contestant. This meant, if any of the girls could not compete or changed their mind, I was in. Yes, I was gutted, however I was more overpowered by the fact that I had got so far. Overall, I felt proud. I had to complete all of the paperwork, background and psychological checks that all of the final 12 had to, however I was not asked to stand in. On reflection, I'm so happy that I wasn't else my life would have been very different. As I settled into my 3rd year of college in September 2016, I was ready to leave my BNTM journey behind me.

In October I received an email from Liv, the lady who chatted with me at my audition. Throughout the Cycle 11 process I had had many phone calls and emails with her, so by this point we were pretty friendly. She asked me if I would consider auditioning again for Cycle 12 of Britain's Next Top Model, as I had come so close before. I wasn't sure at first, but then I thought; if I don't try now, I will never know.

I recorded more videos, however this time more knowledgeable on what the team were looking for and how I wanted to portray myself. February 2017 I was up in London again with my Mum, same hotel, same reason; for my audition. I felt so much more prepared this time, and a year on from my first application I also felt more confident. I went into the audition feeling like a new person and was met with the same people I had met before. I felt at home.

My audition felt very different, like more of a verification that nothing had changed. I had questions asked about my braces, and I was told that my walk had improved well. I was then told that I would be featuring in the first episode of Cycle 11, much to my excitement, as one of the auditionees! I left the audition with the biggest smile on my face and feeling better than ever.

In March 2017, a few weeks after my second audition, I got to watch myself on TV for the first time ever. Yes, it may have only been for a couple of minutes, but it made me realise how much I wanted this. Abbey said "She's gorgeous, I love her!" and it's then I realised how much I wanted to impress the judges. I had been in the audition process for so long I had forgotten that it was actually a TV show.

Some time later I found out that I was a finalist on Britain's Next Top Model Cycle 12! After the journey I had been on it didn't seem real, I had actually made it this time. No stand by contestant, no rejection call. I was actually going to be on the show. I remember running downstairs to my Dad screaming, and then going on to ring my Mum at work and all close friends. 2 weeks later, I said goodbye to my parents at the train station and set off to London on my own for the first time ever, not knowing when I would be back. This was the start of the most crazy and exciting adventure of my life, and I can't wait to document it for you in this blog.

After having to keep my involvement with the show a secret for so long, the fact I can now tell people what I have been up to is bliss. I hope you enjoy watching my adventure, as I definitely enjoyed living it.