With all the attention focused on the Miss Universe pageant in July, I completely overlooked the achievement of Meandra Nel at the 45th IMTA Convention that was held in New York City in July. Meandra was adjudged the winner at the prestigeous IMTA Model of the Year competition. Models, Actors, Singers and Dancers from around the world competed in modeling and talent events with 350 Agents, Managers and Casting Directors in attendance who were searching for new faces and judging the Competitions. Meandra was the 2005 Ford Supermodel SA winner and competed at the 2006 Ford Supermodel of the World contest in New York. Followers of the Supermodel contest will recall how Meandra was snubbed at the international contest for being "overweight", yet in South Africa she was snubbed for being "skinny" and lost out on lucrative modelling assignments to considerably "larger" girls. Speak of a double-edged sword!
IMTA is known in the industry for debuting the best new-to-market Talent and Models including Katie Holmes, Ashton Kutcher, Eva Longoria, Elijah Wood, Jessica Biel, Josh Duhamel, Jessica White, Madeline Kragh, Brian Kehoe and Heather Isaacson.