SHE Caribbean’s Managing Editor, Delia Dolor, ensured STAR Publishing’s flagship magazine was in the headlines in Barbados this weekend. Ms Dolor was a judge at CM Production’s Barbados Amateur Model Search broadcast by CBC Channel 8. Now in its fourth season, the show promises models an opportunity to grace the catwalk.

The show has managed to capitalise on the winning formula of viewer participation through voting which has been linked to the success of many international reality TV shows including the popular American Idol and X Factor (UK). Like these international shows, Barbados Amateur Model Search also features judges who serve as critics along with a viewer participation element which for the first time in Barbados allows viewers to shape the final outcome of the show by supporting their favourite participants via text messaging or voting using forms available in the press.

Although Barbados Amateur Model Search places a strong emphasis on outward beauty, CM Production, ensures that all delegates are prepared for not only the competition but for life in general. As such, all delegates chosen in the initial selection phase undergo extensive training sessions and seminars geared towards developing poise, public speaking, and overall personal development.

This week’s heat features hair and makeup. After a week of training in hair and makeup creativity, the aspiring models have ten minutes to prepare makeup to suit a chosen character before being judged by Ms Dolor, Anita Holder, Black Opals Product Manager, Dawn Springer, model scout, and fashion designer Kingsley Thorne. Mr Thorne, known as “The Caribbean’s very own Simon Cowell” met his match with SHE’s editor. She challenged his criticisms while encouraging the model-hopefuls.

“Sometimes those in the model world have to be cruel to be kind,” she told the models, “Don’t give up but listen to constructive criticism —don’t just hear what we’re saying; learn from it.”
Barbados Amateur Model Search broadcasts Thursdays at 9pm with a repeat on Fridays at 4.30pm. The finals take place in Barbados on 31 January 2010.