BEATING 1 500 of the world’s most beautiful young girls, from 26 different countries, to walk away with the crown in an international beauty pageant is not an easy feat, but for this 12-year-old beauty queen, it is all about enjoying herself and letting everything happen as it should.
Chelsea Allison, from Cotswold in Nelson Mandela Bay, who was the first runner-up in the 2008 PE Express Christmas baby competition when she was four months old, has taken the world of beauty pageantry by storm since she started modelling at the age of seven.
Since then, Chelsea has won several modelling competitions, both national and international, including Miss Junior Talent Africa 2020 and the Poland/Ireland Virtual Arts International Stars Competition, which took place in May this year.
At this competition, where she competed against 1 500 models from around the world, Chelsea ranked first place in every category and also received the Overall Grand Prix Award.
She has been ranked in the top three positions in several categories of various other competitions, including the Talent America Virtual International Championship 2020, where she also received a special award for America’s Junior Top Model for the runway and print divisions.
Chelsea has been invited to model in the USA on two different occasions but couldn’t attend the first time due to financial constraints and the second time due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Chelsea’s mother, Rochelle, said that she is extremely proud of her daughter, not only because of her beauty achievements, but also the fact that Chelsea remains humble, no matter how many times she wins.
“She is such a friendly and calm person and I’m so grateful for that because we know how life is and how such achievements could go to someone’s head – but not with Chelsea.
“She is still a calm child who loves helping me in the kitchen, especially when it comes to baking,” Rochelle said.
“I’ve seen how things are at these competitions and sometimes the mothers are even more competitive than their daughters but I’m happy that Chelsea is not affected by any of this and remains humble,” she added.
However, it is evident that Chelsea is not just a pretty face but excels in all aspects of her life, including academics.
According to Rochelle, Chelsea, a Grade 7 learner at Moregrove Primary School, is a prefect and part of the top 10 academic achievers in her grade. She also plays netball and once received the award for netball player of the year. She has also received a few principal’s awards for being a great ambassador for the school.
“It really makes me so happy that her schoolwork is not suffering. She maintains a good balance between everything,” her mother added.
Rochelle said that she didn’t really think about her daughter doing modelling until her nail technician kept asking if Chelsea does modelling when she was still very young.
“I didn’t think much of it. I just told her that I’m too busy for that but she kept insisting, even offering to take Chelsea to modelling classes herself. Being a mother, we like to be very involved so I wanted to take her myself and when I eventually entered her for modelling, I was truly amazed at how great she did,” Rochelle explained.
“Of course she doesn’t win every time, but she does most of the time and I have taught her that it’s okay to not always win and to be happy with who you are and how far you’ve come. My daughter has a God-given talent and I pray to God that she remembers that and stays as down to earth as she always is.”
When asked what modelling means to her, Chelsea answered, “Modelling gives me confidence and I’m learning so much. I also meet lovely friends along the way. I have so much fun and enjoy myself when I’m walking on the ramp. I simply love being on the ramp.”
