- FEMAIL reveals first glimpse of the latest batch of budding BNTM contestants
- Finalists include a painter and decorator, a Co-op worker and a Tesco cashier
- New series will feature 13 ambitious contestants and kicks off on October 19
- The winner will win a contract with Models 1 and a spread in Cosmopolitan
The latest batch of Britain’s Next Top Model contestants has been revealed, as judges warn the latest series is set to be one of the most explosive yet.
Sparks will fly next month when 13 fiery fashionistas are thrown into a house together to battle it out for a lucrative modelling contract under the watchful gaze of judges Abbey Clancy, Max Rogers and Nicky Johnston.
This year’s diverse line-up includes a painter and decorator, a Welsh tomboy who dreams of ditching her job as a Tesco cashier and a Mancunian party girl who models herself on singer-songwriter FKA Twigs.
Commenting on the upcoming twelfth series, model and head judge Abbey Clancy said: ‘There is a lot of potential in this new group of girls who are all different shapes, sizes, ages and backgrounds.
Personality clash: Among this year’s contestants are an Italian artist, a ‘shopaholic’ from Essex, a painter and decorator raised in east London squats, and a ‘tomboy’ Tesco worker
‘Viewers will really get a chance to see how they develop and grow in confidence throughout the weeks. Put any 13 girls in a house together and it’s going to cause drama!’
Last year’s installment of the hit show made headlines after introducing its first ever transgender contestant, Talulah-Eve Brown, who was booted off in the fifth episode – but it was Southampton-born Olivia Wardell, the youngest-ever entrant, who scooped the crown.
This year, along with the contract with Models 1, the winner will land a spread in Cosmopolitan magazine, campaigns with Missguided and Show Beauty, and a year’s supply of beauty goodies and gadgets.
As the latest cohort of beauties prepare to hit the runway for the show of their lives, FEMAIL offers a first glimpse of the girls vying for the title of Britain’s Next Top Model.
The ‘tomboy’ Tesco worker
Part-time Tesco worker Gabriella Jukes is determined to swap the checkout for the catwalk
Despite coming from a small town in South Wales, 21-year-old Gabriella Jukes has big dreams of making it in the modelling industry – and ambition to match.
Having just missing out on her black belt in martial arts, the blonde beauty from Port Talbot describes herself as a ‘bit of a tomboy’ and is currently studying for a sports degree at the University of South Wales.
She has been modelling since she was 17 for local Welsh brands and also made it into the top five at the Miss Wales contest last year.
A fluent Welsh speaker, Gabriella feels most comfortable in front of the camera and believes simply ‘being herself’ will be enough for her to help her win Britain’s Next Top Model.
The freckled supermarket starlet
Shop worker Ocean Lane’s friends describe her as someone who always has a smile on their face
Ocean Lane says her strategy for the competition is not to concern herself too much about the other models and focus on her own success. She believes her calm, reserved attitude will not hold her back in a household of big, loud personalities.
The 19-year-old shop worker from Swindon wants people who are watching to be able to relate to her down-to-earth personality.
Ocean’s favourite features are her freckles and she thinks that her Afro hair gives her versatility; transforming easily from being youthful and carefree to edgy and fierce.
Her idea of a nightmare housemate would be someone who is ‘loud and loves to put others down’.
‘Cheeky and vain’ Co-op employee
Co-op worker Alisia Grant hates gossip and struggles to calm down after arguments
Based on the daily compliments she receives, 19-year-old Co-op worker Alisia Grant, from Birmingham, firmly believes she has what it takes to become Britain’s Next Top Model.
Often compared to Naomi Campbell because of her impossibly high cheekbones and feline-shaped eyes, the only Brummie contestant this year has been described by her own mum as a bit ‘cheeky and vain.’
Self-described as ‘bubbly but with a wild streak’, this makeup addict loves to twerk in the mirror and her idea of a dream night out would involve a red carpet, celebrities and paparazzi.
Her interests include taking selfies, watching reality TV and doing her nails.
The eccentric Italian artist
Efi Muntoni-Clements is looking forward to a Britain’s Next Top Model makeover
Twenty-one-year-old artist Efi Muntoni-Clements, from London, is a half-Italian bombshell Efi would describe her look as ‘quite edgy and grungy with boho vibes’.
Efi has already had a taste of the modelling, having had her face on a billboard in East London. When she’s not reading, painting or hanging with her dogs, she spends her time creating and selling crafts on Etsy; her latest creations are her homemade Harry Potter wands.
She loves to see her personality reflected in her look and changes her hair colour frequently. However, she admits her hair is currently ‘in a bit of state’.
The FKA Twigs lookalike
Cirrah Leah Webb says she doesn’t want any scissors going near her curly hair
Formerly a model for Sports Direct, FKA Twigs lookalike Cirrah Leah Webb feels her unique style will set her apart from the other models. She hates staying in and loves any opportunity to go dancing.
Her dream night out would involve plenty of free alcohol and she confesses her friends describe her as ‘a bit mad.’
Mancunian Cirrah Leah, who is just 18 years old and works as a waitress, already knows that modelling is her passion and is determined to do well in the competition. However, she isn’t looking forward to the infamous BNTM makeover stage.
The 5ft 9in ‘theatre fanatic’
Georgia Mason Mottram hates people who ‘think the world revolves around them’
Currently studying Film at the University of Sussex, 5ft 9in Georgia Mason Mottram’s main passions are musical theatre and athletics. Her friends describe her as ‘weird’ but they all love her social media antics.
The 18-year-old, from Surrey, admits she does like to gossip but believes that her bubbly, feisty personality is what will set her apart in the competition. She doesn’t want to stand in silence acting as a ‘coat hanger’ but instead leave a long lasting impression with the judges.
Georgia credits her time at Youth Theatre for bringing her out of her shell and giving her the confidence to take part in Britain’s Next Top Model.
She claims she would not like to be in the model house with ‘someone who is self-absorbed and pompous’ and adds: ‘I cannot stress how much I dislike people who think the world revolves around them and thinks they are superior to others.’
The self-confessed ‘perfectionist’
Ivy Watson, 22, can’t wait to hit the catwalks and live out the supermodel lifestyle
Hotel receptionist Ivy Watson, 22, is described by her friends as a bit of an ‘agony aunt’ and will encourage the models to open up about their problems in the house. A self-confessed perfectionist, Ivy says she struggles to take criticism but there isn’t anything she wouldn’t do on a photoshoot.
This Lincoln native has felt insecure about her long neck and pale skin, but is now determined to embrace everything that differentiates her from the other contestants.
Ivy has had experience with hair modelling, but hopes that Britain’s Next Top Model will take her straight to high-fashion catwalks and give her everything else that comes with the supermodel lifestyle.
The Scottish ‘country girl’
Kira MacLean is determined to ‘give it her all’ and win the modelling contest this year
Born in the Highlands of Scotland, 23-year-old Kira MacLean describes herself as an outdoorsy girl and has been horse riding since she was three. She spends her time working in her local golf club serving drinks to the sporting members.
Obsessed with skincare, fresh-faced Kira from Nairn, dreams of one day being the face of a famous makeup brand and being on billboards all over the country.
Kira is ready to move to the city from her small town to pursue her modelling dreams and hopes that Britain’s Next Top Model will give her the opportunity to rub shoulders with the rich and famous.
Determined to win, she says: ‘I feel like if I don’t give it my all now I never will.’
The jet-setting blogger
Blogger Louisa Northcote has starred in theatre productions and modelling gigs
Born in Singapore and brought up in Dubai, blogger Louisa Northcote ‘lives and breathes fashion’ and treats every day like a fashion show.
This 5ft 9in budding photographer has had her blog featured in Grazia, Hello! and Elle and she will miss her artist boyfriend the most during her time in the competition.
The 20-year-old London native has already had a taste of the limelight, modelling for Giuseppe Zanotti and starring in productions Oliver and Annie. She hopes that BNTM will give her another chance in the spotlight.
The painter and decorator
Painter and decorator Martha and Miller was brought up in squats in east London
Martha Miller, 23, from Brighton, spends her days as a painter and decorator in Brighton and Cambridge but says she would rather be in an open field with lots of fairy lights, space hoppers and disco balls.
Her biggest secret is that she finds it hard to talk to people with bad teeth and tends to stare at their mouths when they talk – but living in the chaotic model house shouldn’t be a problem for Martha who grew up in squats in east London with her punk rock mum and older sister.
Fake people and attention-seekers get on Martha’s nerves and she confesses to not always thinking before she speaks. Her hobbies include roller-skating in her leopard print skates and hula hooping.
The flame-haired ‘clean freak’
Shaunagh Slattery may not fare so well in the BNTM house with her aversion to mess
Passionate Shaunagh Slattery, 21, from Port Talbot, is determined to succeed in the competition and admits that when she wants something she will ‘jump through fire hoops to get it.’
Previously a model for a Marie Claire TV advert, this red-haired beauty is certain her unique petite feature will set her apart in the competition and believes she can win over the judges by staying true to herself.
Shaunagh enjoys being the centre of attention and is not willing to ‘take any crap’ from anyone in the model house. The self-proclaimed clean freak’s fiery mood can be set off by people who eat loudly around her and when she is surrounded by someone else’s mess.
The ‘Essex girl’ shopaholic
Half-Moroccan Sophia Chawki is on a mission to prove she’s not an ‘airhead’
Essex girl Sophia Chawki insists she doesn’t need a strategy to become Britain’s Next Top Model as winning comes naturally to her. She declared ‘throw me in the snake pit and I’ll come out wearing snakeskin boots.’
This half-Moroccan beauty lives in Brentwood, Essex with her boyfriend and wants to show people that Essex girls are ‘not all bimbos and airheads who are obsessed with fake tan.’
Determined to always get what she wants, the 20-year-old compliance officer believes her persistent attitude will help her to succeed in the competition.
The competitive Cornish beauty
Student Tamsin Hough worries she’ll struggle to make friends in the BNTM house
Bubbly Tamsin Hough is a huge fan of Britain’s Next Top Model and is stepping into the competition fearless and ready to give everything she’s got. Raised in Cornwall, this English Rose believes her long, slender legs are her standout feature.
The 19-year-old business student describes herself as constantly hyper with a loud personality and is also very competitive. She worries that she could find it hard to make friends inside the model house as she always wants to be on top.
The new series of Britain’s Next Top Model premieres 19 October at 9pm exclusively on Lifetime, available on Sky 156, Virgin 208, TalkTalk 329 and BT 329