Pranksters hijack Next’s modelling competition
There are many young faces willing to go great lengths to become the next top model, yet it seems high street retailer Next have an unlikely contender for their model search competition. Roland B.
Roland Bunce, 24, from Belfast is currently ranked number one in the online voting competition, 'Make Me The Next Model 2011'. His position at the top spot is all thanks to various 'funny' online sites encouraging their readers to vote for Roland instead of traditional long and lean model types.
Website The Poke is keen to interfere with the nationwide competition that closes on the 30th June 2011. Their post declares, 'With your help we can annoy the fashion industry, strike a blow for natural beauty.'
They also had support from blog bitterwallet.com who asked their readers, 'Fancy screwing around with Next's dream of continuing to sell us expensive clothes, by draping them over stupidly beautiful dunderheads? Your luck's in.'
[See also: The worst model airbrushing blunder]
The posts channelled thousands of votes for Roland placing him ahead of the other 4,500 submissions.
In typical social networking style, a Facebook page has been set up to spread the word; the page 'Vote for Roland - Next model 2011' currently has 397 likes. Yesterday Roland commented on the fan page, 'thks all for da support im overwhelmed n thks 2 whoeva started dis group.'
The search for new modelling talent is open to girls and guys, aged 18 years and over, who permanently reside in the UK or Republic of Ireland.
There will be two winners who receive a £2,000 shopping spree a contract with leading model agency, Storm Model Management and a chance to star in a photo-shoot for Next.
The online vote will culminate with the top 250 invited to London for a special runway course and then a panel of judges pick the top 50, so even if Roland wins he may not make it to the final.
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