The Aboriginal Model Search competition assists young people within the Indigenous community discover a higher sense of self-belief.

On the 5 August 2017 Wendell French, a proud young Kamilaroi and Dhungutti man who grew up in Campbelltown his whole life, took on the runway at the state finals at Old Government House. Wendell, aka The Realest Tiddah of Sydney, sure did slay the runway on the night, taking home first place for the Seniors category. Wendell informed the program managers on the night that he was also a singer and leading up to the end of the night, Wendell glamorously owned his rendition of Josh Turner’s ‘Your Man’.

Being the winner of the state finals, Wendell will go on to represent NSW and his Campbelltown community at the national finals on the 18–20 January 2018. The national finals event will be held at the Stamford Plaza Sydney Airport.

A Word from Wendell

Never in a million years would I have imagined taking place in the Aboriginal Model Search. After participating in the 2016 Aboriginal Model Search, I knew this was the career that I wanted to pursue. I would like to take the time to thank my mother Yvett Wright for always going above and beyond for me and believing in me always. I would have never been exposed to the Aboriginal Model Search if it wasn’t for her. Taking part in the Aboriginal Model Search is so much more than getting up on the runway and looking absolutely divine. After being exposed to the industry and knowing a lot more than I did entering the comp, my confidence and self-belief has risen and I definitely will continue to progress and develop over the years to come.

If you aspire to go somewhere in life or be something or someone, be prepared for the setbacks and yes that will most definitely involve hate, but never ever let anything or anyone stand in between you and your dreams, or let them form you to be the person you will be. Take all that negativity and make yourself stronger. Nothing is out of reach, keep striving and pushing on.

Story contributed by Wendell French from MGoals. Published in 2017.