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Face of Tanzania 2007 - Know Emmy Melau

"Modeling is a career, not a hobby," says Emmy Solomon Melau, the 23-year-old winner of Face of Tanzania. "With qualifications, one should pursue it whole heartedly if they want to succeed." Face of Tanzania - Emmy S. Melau, And that's exactly what she did.

Face of Tanzania 2007 - Emmy S. Melau

The 180cm tall model weighing about 64 kg got her big break when she auditioned in her hometown Arusha, and was selected as one of the two girls from that region who went through to the model boot camp.

"I was so happy," she says. "It has always been my dream to be a model."

Before joining the competition she was working as a reservation officer at a tourism office in Arusha. But modeling had always been her passion from a very young age. In 2005 she took the initial steps towards that dream when she did a television commercial for Vodacom. And now she is on her way to stardom.

The Face of Tanzania competition got underway on March 5, 2008 and premiered on TVT on March 9, 2008, with the finals taking place on April 12, 2008.

Sixteen participants from eight regions in Tanzania were selected and isolated in the camp, were they were given numerous lessons and activities on catwalk training, how to apply makeup, and posing for photo shoots. The girls' performances in these activities determined who was up for eviction; viewers sent their votes in via SMS.

Each of the girls, with their different backgrounds and individualism, learnt to put their differences aside and live together.

"Initially it was hard to understand one other and to get along," she says. "After learning their habits, I decided to take them as they were."

In the first two rounds of eliminations, four girls left the house. The remaining 12 were flown to South Africa for a three-day super model experience where they were given different first hand experience in the international modeling industry. That was Emmy's first time to travel out of Tanzania.

"I heard that South Africa was very developed and beautiful," she says. "When I arrived there, I (immediately) loved the place."

As the winner, she receives a one-year long modeling contract with The O Model Africa agency based in Johannesburg, South Africa, owned by the international Nigerian born-supermodel Oluchi (former Face of Africa) and producer Jan Malan.

"I am looking forward to representing Tanzania," she says. "This opportunity has financially changed my life and that of my family's."

Born in a humble home in Sekei area in Arusha, Emmy, the first born child of a businesswoman, and her younger brother lived a fairly comfortable life. With the passing of their father when she was eight years old, things had changed both financially and emotionally for her.

"I remember missing him a lot," she says. "The older I got, the more I needed him, but I have learn't to (physically) live without him."

The aim of the competition was to support the vital aspect of a young girl's life and her self awareness.

"I am more aware of who I am, what I can achieve, and where I want to go in life."

She attributes her life lessons to her mother. Although she is excited about starting her career, she is also sad about leaving her behind.

"She is very open-minded and friendly, she says. "She has given me a lot of advice and guidance, and she has always been there for me."

She also has a lot of support from everyone, including those she worked with. After she won, she was thrown a big Welcome Home party in Arusha, where she is well known and liked.

"My boyfriend of four years is very happy, but I know he's going to miss me."

She is a smart, beautiful, compassionate person who loves people, especially children. But above all, she is a person of faith.

"If I were to be stranded on an island, I would reach out for my Bible,"she says. "That is the only thing that would give me faith and hope."

In her preparations for her life-long journey, Emmy is spending her time exercising, learning and absorbing everything there is to know about modeling. She is expected to depart for South Africa around mid June, where she is prepared to working very hard and to extend her contract.

"I one day hope to help other aspiring models achieve their dreams,"she says."By then I will have the contacts and better knowledge, and be in a better position to help them."

Things you didn't know about Emmy
1. She is shy and quiet
2. Her role model is Tyra Banks
3. When she gets angry, she gets really angry
4. She likes reading novels and listening to music
5. She got picked on a lot at school
6. She only started growing taller in Secondary School
7. Her favorite food is ndizi nyama
8. She dislikes people who bully (others)
9. She likes watching Nigerian movies
10.She likes collecting bags and earrings
11.She cries when she hears a baby crying
12. She wishes to travel to Europe