CHARLOTTE’S NURSING COVER GIRL ASPIRATIONS

THE Gold Coast finalists of one of Australia’s biggest modelling competitions are living far less glamorous lives than their photos would have you believe.

Charlotte Cush, 30, Nikkie Brownlie, 23, and Isabelle Lee, 20, are finalists in the 2019 MAXIM Australian Swimwear Model of the Year competition.

But despite competing for a chance at a cash prize and cover shoot for MAXIM Australia magazine, Ms Brownlie said their day jobs were wildly different.

“I work at a surf club down in Coolangatta and I’m also in the kitchen with my partner,” she said, adding she works a 60-hour week.

“We do three days a week there and then four days at my other job, all in hospitality. So whenever I can get a chance to get on stage I do it.

“I definitely slacked off compared to other nationals, I didn’t have the time, but I’m still here and I’m not going to beat myself up over it.”

For Ms Cush, who is a full-time critical nurse and co-ordinator of the Gold Coast University Hospital’s cancer ward, the job has led to some interesting moments.

“I’ve just travelled to Mexico representing Australia and there have been a couple of clippings from newspapers patients have seen,” she said.

“They do bring it up during treatments and they pass it on to their grandsons, and then their sons, and everyone just ends up knowing about it.”

A total of 26 models from around Australia were selected for the final, which will be held at the Stingray Lounge in Surfers Paradise Saturday.