Wolverhampton student struts into finals of Top Model 2018

Aspiring model 17-year-old Gia Lawrence-Harish was selected from a pool of thousands of other hopeful girls, all desperate to make it to the finals of Top Model 2018.

The Dudley College student, who admitted she used to be teased at school, said being one of the few to be chosen has picked her back and up and made her believe she can conquer anything.

Gia said: "Honestly I was really shocked to hear I had got through because I was a bit nervous.

"I thought my nerves had got the better of me. I thought I would fall over or something - it's hard walking in heels normally let alone trying to be professional in them and strut my stuff.

"I'm just so proud of myself - I'm a bit overly excited."

The teen has been modelling part time since she was 15 and is hoping to take it as far as she can in her career.

She applied for Top Model 2018 online and was called to a casting, where she had to wear no make up, an outfit showing her body shape, and four-inch heels.

She said being chosen to come back for the finals has worked wonders on her confidence, especially as she was sometimes picked on at school for modelling.

Gia, who lives in Aspen Way with mum Dawn and step-dad Arun, added: "The thing is, I think everyone goes through being picked on. I have myself.

"I used to stick up for myself and I think sometimes people don't count that as bullying. But it is. It still led to me feeling the same.

"It made me feel a bit low about myself, being picked on, it caused a bit of anxiety and feeling not great about myself. But modelling has really helped that.

"I do feel nervous but it helps having the adrenaline, it's given me confidence. I've had so much support from family and friends."

Members of the public can now vote for Gia before she heads to the competition final at the beginning of April in London.

Through the voting process she is trying to raise as much money as possible for charity Children with Cancer UK.

Gia's mum Dawn, who has been her valuable support system along the journey, said her daughter had done "amazingly well".

Dawn said: "She finds faults in herself all the time so she has done amazingly well to make the most of her young years.

"She constantly helps others to see the best in themselves even though her own confidence is quite low.

"She was thrilled to get through to the final - absolutely ecstatic."

The Top Model 2018 Model Awards and Fashion Show weekend will be held at the Hilton London Metropole on April 6 and 7, where Gia will find out how she fared against top models across the country.

Visit topmodel2018.everydayhero.com/uk/gia-h-commercial to vote for Gia and donate.