Pageant helps model follow her secret passion

Kenessie Grieve

Growing up, Kenessie Grieve always wanted to be a model.

The only thing that held the 20-year-old Kamo resident back was the fact she thought she did not have the right build - because she was a size 10.

But when she saw a Facebook post calling for entrants for Miss World New Zealand in January, her boyfriend urged her to audition. And now she is thankful she did. At the January 17 auditions, she made it through as a finalist.

"It is pretty exciting, especially because I am the only girl from up north," she said. "It's a secret passion of mine - having your face in front of the camera."

Ms Grieve is one of 18 finalists from across the country who will compete at the final show on April 25 at the Rendezvous Hotel in Auckland.

A retail assistant manager at the Clearance Shed near Okara Park, she has been driving down to Auckland every weekend for pageant workshops on a range of topics - including catwalking, hair and make-up, and performance and presentation. She has been on the hunt for sponsors for the non-profit event, as well as trying to sell tickets.

"We have to sell a minimum of 20 tickets, so that will be everyone in my family, plus everyone else."

The pageant has two sections - swim wear, talent and interviews will be judged at the pre-judging night on March 28. The talent section is optional and Ms Grieve is not sure if she will compete in it.

"The only thing I would really do is burlesque dancing, because I do dancing with the Northern Dolls." On the final evening, the contestants are judged on evening gown, talent and national costume.

Ms Grieve's goal for the pageant is to "just be confident in my own skin at the end of it and raise the $40,000 needed for the Auckland charity."

Miss World New Zealand is a non-profit event that raises money for a charity every year. At the end of the pageant, Ms Grieve hopes to be able to make the move into modelling. To contact her for sponsorship or for tickets, email kennygreevus@gmail.com.