She regrets being known as the girl who cried when she got her hair cut but Lauren Bangs' appearance in New Zealand's Next Top Model is paying off.
Six months after her elimination from the show, the Tauranga Girls' College student has been signed with agency 62 Models
and has a glamorous photo shoot under her belt.
Her first big assignment was a fashion spread in the current edition of Creme magazine and the 17-year-old is hoping that's just the start of a career in modelling. Auditions for the third season of the show begin this month, including a date at the Sebel Trinity Wharf in Tauranga on March 22.
As tall and beautiful teenage girls prepare to face the panel of judges, Lauren's advice is to "go for it". Despite having an interest in fashion and modelling, Lauren almost didn't try out.
"People at school were suggesting that I audition. At first I didn't take any notice of it," she said. "My friend Grace suggested I go with her because she wanted to audition."
Lauren finally agreed to go just two days out and was astonished to make it through the first round. She was chosen to move into the Top Model house and made the show's top 10.
After being eliminated in September, Lauren was quickly signed by the modelling agency owned by the show's presenter Sara Tetro.
The "amazing" and "unreal" experience has whetted her appetite for the industry.
"I just want to get out there and take the opportunities that I can. I have always loved travel and tourism, so international modelling would be amazing."
After she finishes high school at the end of the year, Lauren plans to take a "gap year" to focus on modelling.
"I hope to get more modelling jobs. That is my goal: to keep modelling and get as many jobs as I can, and save money."
Watching herself on TV was "strange".
"I feel like on the show I seemed a bit reserved and quiet but I think in reality I was compared to the other girls.
"I progressed throughout the show, I tried to be a bit more confident. I learned heaps about personal skills, fashion, just modelling in general."
Her worst moment and biggest regret was "crying over my hair cut" when her long hair was cut into a page-boy bob.
For those who want to emulate her success on the show's upcoming season, Lauren's advice is to be yourself.
"That's the key thing. You can't pretend to be who you are not. Just give it your all and go for it and be natural."
Lauren's audition tips:
* Be yourself
* Don't wear lots of make-up
* Keep clothing casual
* Be confident
* Listen to the judges and be respectful
- Auditions for cycle three of New Zealand's Next Top Model will be held on March 22 at the Sebel Trinity Wharf Hotel, Tauranga, 3pm-7pm. Applicants must be at least 170cm tall and aged between 16 and 25 as of April 15, 2011.