THE BIG THREE: Tka Briscoe (centre), winner of the Pulse Caribbean Model Search full-figured competition, poses with Nicolle Duffus-Lindsay (left, second runner-up) and first runner-up, Alicia Myrie. The competition was held at the Hilton Kingston hotel on Sunday night. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer
Following the overwhelming support of its inaugural full-figured model contest on Sunday, Pulse announced yesterday it would be launching a TV show exclusively for plus-size models.
"In response to this strong inte-rest, Pulse is now pleased to announce the Caribbean's first ever CMS full-figured reality TV series. Every Wednesday at Pulse, there will be an open call for plus-size models to sign up for the company's newest addition to its television titles," said the company in a release.
Tka Briscoe, a 24-year-old student at the University of the West Indies, won Pulse's first full-figured competition on Sunday at the Hilton Kingston hotel. It was held as part of the annual Caribbean Model Search (CMS).
Extensive interest
Pulse said the competition "generated extensive interest from plus-size potentials across the Caribbean, as well as the public" and that numerous women have contacted the agency with an interest in participating.
Giving some details of the forthcoming show, Pulse said, "Following the same formula as the original and addictive Caribbean Model Search reality series, semi-finalists will be videotaped as they compete against each other for top honours via a series of challenges. Members of the public who are full-figured beauties and who, at some time or another, have dreamt of rocking the runway are invited to enter."
The modelling agency said auditions begin on September 16 at its headquarters on Trafalgar Road in St Andrew at 4:15 p.m. and that women between the ages of 18 and 35 are eligible. They should be dressed in fitted jeans or shorts, tank tops and high heels. Finalists will be judged on their look, personality and poise.
Positive body imagery
"Set to showcase the beauty and confidence of full-figured women, while empowering them through the promotion and advocacy of positive body imagery and self-confidence, contestants will need to prove week after week that they have what it takes to become the Caribbean's premier plus model" said the release.
In addition to CMS Plus, Pulse will also begin shooting the local leg for the CMS reality series, which will see the 21 fashion model semi-finalists chosen at Sunday's show attempt to prove to the judges and the public that they have the supermodel X factor.