After winning her way through the RedHotPie.com.au online heat, twenty four year old VIP Casino host Ashiie Munro-Smith from Perth has won the 2012 International Lingerie Model Search Australian final!
Stunning the judges at a packed LOVE Nightclub on the Gold coast, Munro-Smith beat out a field of 20 elite lingerie models from Australia and New Zealand to take the title.
The pageant featured three fashion sections: denim and top, club wear or cocktail wear and finally, but oh so importantly, the lingerie section, in which the girls could really shine.
Having produced another national winner from a RedHotPie.com.au online model competition, we could not be prouder of Ashleigh! We were quick to sit her down and have a chat about her experiences coming through our online comp and taking out the national final!
Congrats on the huge win Ash, what a night! So tell us about the moment they announced you as the winner.
I'm really looking forward to seeing the video footage when my name is called, apparently my reaction is hysterical. From memory I was jumping and running on the spot and couldn't stop screaming, laughing and crying. I didn't know what to do! It was a true pageant moment; I was overwhelmed with excitement, happiness and really wasn't expecting it.
Did you think you were going to take the title?
To be honest, this was the hardest competition I have ever competed in. Usually there is a top 5 stand out but this time EVERY girl brought their a-game, everyone was beautifully groomed, polished, well prepared and to top it off they had amazing personalities to complete the package. No one knew what the final outcome was going to be. The suspense was intense!
So tell us about how you made it to the final.
I was lucky enough to win the ‘RHP Member’s Choice Award' on RedHotPie to secure a spot in the national finals (along with Imogen Lovell as we were both a draw for votes.)
I have a great support team who through social media sites have been pet named 'Team Ashiie' which is my nickname. If it weren't for them, I wouldn't have been awarded this amazing opportunity; so thank you to all those who took the time to vote.
And what did you get for winning the online comp?
RedHotPie have SPOILT me rotten!!! For winning the online comp I was awarded a spot in the national final for the Lingerie Model of the Year Australia competition, flights and accommodation, a 6 seater spa and $1,000 cash. Imogen and I were also lucky enough to have a photo shoot with Nick K Photography at Vanity Nightclub, with the images being used for upcoming advertisements and promotions on RedHotPie. So make sure you keep an eye out ;)
Will we be seeing you in future RedHotPie modelling comps?
I say bring on the next RedHotPie competition! The past few days have been an absolute blast and your team have treated me like a princess. You've made this experience so much more enjoyable and I highly recommend to everyone considering entering the next comp to JUST DO IT! What have you got to lose? You've got everything to gain.
How did you get into competition modelling?
After continuously being told I would never make it in the modelling industry because I’m only 170cm's tall and would never make my mark, it made me more determined to prove people wrong and follow that dream that played over in my head. I haven't always been successful! I was doing competition modelling for 4 whole years but never placed in 1 competition.
To me it wasn't about winning, it was about being on stage in that moment and having a blast plus the bonus of making enormous amounts of friends that I’ll treasure forever. Then it wasn't until nearly 2 years ago now that I traded my blonde locks for brunette, grew up a little and changed my attitude that I started taking out numerous competitions.
What exciting places has your modelling taken you?
The past year has been a very exciting journey! Along with 11 of Australia's hottest women, I am an official Monster Girl which has enabled us to travel around our country in support of our athletes sponsored by Monster Energy at their main events such as the Formula 1 and V8's. Last year I was also a top 10 Zoo Weekly Covergirl Finalist where I was flown over to Sydney for the photo shoot; I'd love to be able to shoot with them again as I had so much fun!
I've also taken part in the Miss Universe WA Preliminaries in 2011 and in 2012 made the top 24, unfortunately I didn't make the national final but I’ve gained life skills that will stay with me forever.
What has been the highlight of your modelling career to date?
The highlight of my modelling career would definitely have to be my Team Ashiie support crew, without them I wouldn't have been given the opportunities that I’ve had so far and many of those are my amazing friends. I receive messages and emails on a daily basis from all sorts of women saying how I inspire them to follow their dreams and that I’m their role model.
I use to be the 'ugly duckling' in school and was bullied growing up, it's my goal to prove to others that you can come out on top and be proud of who you are. To be told by a young girl that she looks up to you is an accomplishment in itself and I am forever grateful for every opportunity that comes my way and the support that is shown.
If you could book any magazine cover in the world, what would it be and why?
My next goal is to land myself a magazine cover, there are so many locally and internationally that I love for all their own reasons. Maxim and Sports Illustrated would be fantastic because the women featured are so fit, healthy and beautiful and to feature alongside other inspiring women would be an honour. I'm also a massive fan of Front Magazine for their fun and alternative flirty covers. The girls are unbelievably hot and having a theme in a shoot makes it so much more enjoyable.
If you could have any photographer in the world shoot you, who would it be and why?
To shoot with Terry Richardson would be an experience of a lifetime. I love his iconic style and his ability to create such simple but artistic images.
What’s you sexiest physical feature and why?
Oh gosh these questions make me blush! I've turned to Facebook and asked what they think and they say my sexiest physical feature is my smile because it's 'natural, cheeky and it brightens up my eyes which is contagious to those around me'. Plus, if I was powerful enough I’m sure I’d be able to undress you with my eyes ;) haha!
What’s your sexiest mental feature and why?
I would have to say my sexiest mental feature would have to be my outrageous sense of humour. I am very quirky and animated when I interact with people and love to be entertaining, which comes down to being confident in yourself. There's nothing sexier than when a person is confident in their own skin.
You’ll be off to Las Vegas now, is that right? Do you know what that will entail?
To go to Las Vegas that entails me to get off my butt and organise myself a passport! Haha, yep that's right I procrastinate at the best of times.
But once I’m there I’ll be taking part in a fashion show at Rio Resort, I also have the honour of shooting a 2 day photo shoot with Michael Plumridge which I’m sure will be the highlight of my trip. I'll be using this opportunity to network like crazy and of course, doing all the things a tourist should do as I have never been overseas before. I'm also going to extend my stay a few days and visit Los Angeles before coming back home to our beautiful country.
Thank you Red Hot Pie for bringing me one step closer to achieving my dreams and being crowned Australia's Lingerie Model of the Year.
Digital hugs and kisses xoxoxox love Ashleigh xoxoxoxox