NEW FACE TO WATCH

Here’s why we’re loving Noelle Woon, winner of The New Paper New Face 2013 and 2014’s It girl – and why you will too.

Here’s why you will love 2014’s It girl Noelle Woon.

Her striking good looks (an exotic African- Chinese mix) are a breath of fresh air. And, of course, there’s that statuesque 1.77m- tall gure.

“I never felt different growing up, though I did occasionally get teased about my curly hair – I would love it if I have the ability to wear it curly or straight whenever I want! I do like that I have a defined jawline, as it helps with my versatility as a model. Up until the New Face competition, modelling was still very much just a dream to me because other than my height, I didn’t think I looked anything like a model.”

She’s a Mummy’s girl and proud to admit it – she even cites her mum (Sarah Woon, 37, pre- school principal) as one of her inspirations.

“We don’t even need to go out to have a good time – sometimes, we just stay at home and watch late night comedies like Key &

Peele on Comedy Central and the Food Network Asia. We also catch up when she braids my hair, which could take anything from 15 to 20 minutes to two 12-hour days.”

She knows what she wants...

“Right now, I have my eye set on modelling in New York City. My mum told me that I used to cut out pictures of models and pretty clothes or accessories, and paste them in a book to create my own magazine – I don’t remember that, though. What I do recall are the hours I spent watching

America’s Next Top Model, admiring the models and how they were styled. These days, I keep up with fashion and my favourite models like Cara Delevingne through FashionTV and by surfing the Net.”

...but is level- headed enough to have a Plan B.

“If modelling doesn’t work out, I want to be a nutritionist. I hope to educate Singaporeans on making informed food choices and help them eat healthily. Personally, I try to avoid processed food – my mum makes wholesome home-cooked meals. ”

She’s still very much your 16-year- old girl- next- door.

“My friends tease me sometimes by referring to me as ‘The Model’, but I know they’re just goofing around and I laugh it off. At the end of the day, my mum and I unwind by watching music videos together – we’re both Directioners [fans of boy band One Direction]! My favourite is Louis [Tomlinson].”