Demelza’s dream

To her critics, Australia’s Next Top Model winner Demelza Reveley was a “bottom-heavy” bullying ‘Dapto Dog’ – but last week the Wollongong teenager emerged triumphant from a very public trial by fire – with not a hair out of place.

Speaking to the Wollongong and Northern Leader following Demelza’s win, her father Andrew Reveley said he felt nothing but pride for his daughter’s achievement.

“This has been the first thing she’s really wanted that mum and dad couldn’t give her and we’re so proud of her,” said Mr Reveley – who described the experience as “overwhelming”.

“It all started seven months ago when she had a Google alert happening for when the original auditions were on.

“As soon as that went on the computer she filled in all the forms and convinced me to take a day off and drive her up to David Jones (for the audition).

“Each week her mum and I waited for the phone call to see if she was in or out, and here we are. It’s been a long, long seven months.”

After a stressful two-month wait, the 16-year-old found out she had won the competition during a live televised final that was beamed into living rooms across the nation last week.

With the drama and stress of the controversial competition behind her, Demelza said she was now just waiting to live the dream.

“I’m just really excited, I can’t wait for the next part,” she said.

“I tried so hard throughout the competition and it was something I had to do completely alone and for myself and I did.”

Filming on the latest series finished over two months ago.

Since then Demelza has been readjusting to “normal” life, only to be catapulted back into the spotlight following last week’s announcement of her win.

“It was so stressful but it was a good time to be alone,” she said.

“I went back to school and just got to be normal, but back here (at the final) with all the girls, it’s fantastic.”

Demelza came under fire during the show for her weight and “bottom-heavy” figure, with one New York agent saying her 36-inch hip measurement would haunt her.

She also attracted national media attention for bullying another contestant, Alamela Rowan.

During the live final, host Charlotte Dawson addressed this issue and Demelza publicly apologised for her behaviour and said she had learnt a lot from what had happened.

Judge Napoleon Perdis, whose make up brand Demelza will represent for the next year, said he believed 16-year-olds deserved second chances and he was willing to give that to the young model.

The models’ mentor, Jonathan Pease, said Demelza was the oldest 16-year-old he knew and that she had transformed during the show, a point which fellow judge and fashion designer Alex Perry disagreed with.