Nairn model Kira is aiming for the top
A HIGHLAND model will soon be seen on television screens across the world as she competes to take her career to a whole new level.
Kira MacLean (23) currently works at Nairn Golf Club as a food and beverage manager but recently travelled to London to compete against 12 other beautiful women in Britain’s Next Top Model competition, the UK’s biggest modelling competition.
A spin-off from America’s Next Top Model, which is created and produced by Tyra Banks, one of the biggest names in the industry., models on the show take part in a range of challenges and photoshoots to convince a panel of celebrity judges they have what it takes to become a true global star.
The models all live together under one roof throughout the course of the competition with one contestant evicted each episode until only the winner is left.
The prize is a lucrative contract with a top modelling agency.
Although we will have to tune in to find out how Miss MacLean gets on in the show, the five foot nine inch model will be following in the footsteps of international stars, such as competition judge Abbey Clancy, who came runner-up on the show’s second series.
Supermodel Elle Macpherson has also previously acted as a judge.
Miss MacLean was delighted to announce to friends and family that she would be representing Scotland in the competition.
"I moved to Nairn at nine-years-old and I absolutely love living here," she said.
"It is a beautiful town to live in.
"I got into modelling when I was around 17 years old. I was always very tall so I think people would ask me to model because of that and I would just do it for the experience.
"I have never entered a modelling competition before this one. It was actually one of my best friends that convinced me to enter Britain’s Next Top Model. She said I should just go for it and see what happens, so I did."
The show will start on October 19 on the Lifetime TV channel and the winner will be kept top secret until the end of the series.
"Filming for the show was an incredible experience," Miss MacLean said.
"It was the best and most challenging experience of my life so far. It was crazy going from my life in Nairn to living in London to film for the show – it is definitely an experience I will never forget."
Miss MacLean says the level of support she has had from the community since it was revealed that she would be starring in the show has been overwhelming.
She said: "I am so grateful for everyone’s support – my family and friends have been so incredible throughout this whole experience and I can never thank them enough. Their encouragement means the world to me."
Miss MacLean also has big ambitions for the future.
"I hope to continue modelling and work as hard as I can to get to the top," she said. "Wherever it may take me I am ready for it."
Miss MacLean created a video entry for the show where she talks about her hobbies and her determination to win.
She said: "I have never had the opportunity to be a full-time model which is something I have always dreamed of doing. I finally believe in myself enough to go all the way."
