Teen princess Natasha heads for the catwalk

TEENAGER Natasha Green was once taunted by jealous bullies for her long legs and good looks.

Now she has had the last laugh after being scouted by some of the UK’s top modeling agencies.

And the 13-year-old, of Caerphilly, is through to the final 50 hopefuls in this year’s Teen Princess UK modeling competition.

Natasha, who is 5ft 7ins tall, already has some modeling experience after she graced the catwalk at the Clothes Show Live in December.

Natasha's mum Suzanne said: “As part of her Christmas present, we visited the Clothes Show in Birmingham and she was scouted twice, by Select, which is one of London’s top agencies, and Teen Queen UK.

“She had a difficult time in year seven – being called a freak by some pupils just because she was tall, which really affected her. But being voted top of the Teen Princess category did wonders for her self-confidence.”

Natasha loves watching modeling shows such as America’s Next Top Model – and takes great inspiration from its presenter Tyra Banks, who was also bullied as a teenager.

After her success at the Clothes Show, Natasha was invited to a photo shoot in London, where she was put through her modeling paces.

She was then whittled down from 5,000 girls by model photographer at the Clothes Show annual event to the final 50, who are entered into monthly heats on the Teen Queen website.

The public are asked to vote for their favourite model and the top three from each heat will go through to the Miss Teen Princess grand final in July.

Natasha is the only Welsh girl competing for the title of Miss Teen Princess 2009 and if she wins the competition she will receive the chance of securing a modelling contract and become the face of fashion and beauty campaigns.

Suzanne said: “Voting for Natasha's heat closes on January 31, so she really needs the South Wales public to get behind her.”

The aspiring model’s friends, Gabby and Chelsea, are now planning to campaign on the streets of Caerphilly to win Natasha more votes.

Her proud mum added: “Natasha really wants to give hope to other girls who are suffering at the hands of bullies.

“She wants victims to believe that they will grow in to their looks and height and remember that it will come to an end.

“Natasha has learned the hard way that beauty comes in many shapes and sizes.”

News Sources:-
Jan 19 2009 by Sarah Bunney, South Wales Echo
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2009/01/19/teen-princess-natasha-heads-for-the-catwalk-91466-22721877/