WESTVILLE resident, Natalie Healey (25), who was recently crowned Miss KwaZulu-Natal 2017, wants to be not just a beauty queen, but someone people look up to.
Although Natalie enjoys the glitz and glamour of the modelling industry, her heart lies in doing charity work and the Miss KZN title gives her a bigger platform to change peoples lives for the better.
Natalie started modelling when she was 10-years-old.
“My mom entered me in a model search competition which was held in one of the shopping centres. I guess there was something special that the judges saw in me as I ended up walking away with the first prize and I have improved so much since then,” she said.
The confident Natalie who chases after her dreams said she entered Miss KZN three times.
“For the last two years, I was placed second and third. This year I was not going to enter but my mom, who in my number one supporter and has always been by my side every step of the way, encouraged me to enter again.
“On that night, there were so many things going though my mind, I had so many emotions and when they called out my name I blocked my face and I cried all the way down the red carpet, I finally did it,” she said.
Natalie does modelling on weekends as she is a Grade 1 educator at Our Lady of Natal Convent School in Bluff.
“I enjoy teaching, it is my passion and my priority. I always check in advance for modelling gigs and competitions so I can plan my diary.”
One of the main charities that Natalie is involved with is Imfundo Educare Project, an organisation that helps destitute children.
“It is such a shame and heartbreaking that there are children who sometimes go to bed with an empty stomach. If I could help those children have food on their tables everyday during my one year as Miss KZN that would make me a happy woman,” she said.
On the night she was crowned Miss KZN, Natalie also received a debutante award certificate and a trophy for raising the most funds for her charity.
When Natalie is not teaching, doing charity work or modelling, she collects DVDs as she enjoys watching movies.
Her dream now is to enter Miss SA. “If I could take part in Miss SA, my modelling career would be complete.”
She pleaded with businesses to donate a container for children in underprivileged schools to use as a classroom or anything that will help destitute children.
Natalie can be contacted on 084 9900 914 or email natalieh07@yahoo.com.
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