Belfast teenager crowned queen of the catwalk

BELFAST teenager Carrie Anne Burton was last night crowned queen of the catwalk on RTÉ’s The Model Agent.

The 19-year-old was picked from thousands of hopefuls by one of the world’s most successful model scouts, Fiona Ellis, and international supermodel, writer and broadcaster Erin O’Connor.

Carrie Anne, who has won a contract with London-based Independent Models, will grace the cover of Image magazine in June.

The shocked teen, who has revealed that she and her boyfriend are expecting their first child in July, said she was over the moon.

“I’m absolutely ecstatic, I am the happiest person ever,” said Carrie Anne.

“Ellis and Erin have been amazing throughout the process – they’ve taught me to come out of myself and be a wee bit more confident and carry myself better.”

The two other finalists were Amber Jean Rowan from Dublin and Sharon Tuohey from Offaly.

Ellis arrived in Ireland last Autumn and sifted through thousands of postal applications and auditioned and selected girls at music events and shopping centres all over the country.

Erin – who was first spotted by Ellis in 1995 – was then on hand to mentor 12 finalists giving them first-hand advice based on her highly successful career and helping them with catwalk challenges, photo-shoots, and tv commercial castings.

Ellis said when she saw Carrie Anne being photographed for Image she felt she had what she was looking for – incredible beauty and an individual character and personality.

“She’s quite quirky, she’s a bit scatty, she’s got a great sense of humour, very endearing,” continued Ellis.

“I find I want to hang with her more and find out more about her and I think that’s what the clients will love about her. She’s not what you see is what you get.

“I think there’s more to Carrie Anne and I think she has a great future in the business if she really wants it and I think she does.”

Ellis said that being pregnant also gave Carrie Anne a real sense of purpose.

“When you look around her at her family and her boyfriend who’s very solid, very strong I think she has an amazing support system around her and I think she has a real future,” she said.

Erin, who is among the long list of famous clients with Independent Models, said when she first met Carrie Anne she exemplified a girl that didn’t know what the hell all the fuss was about.

“I don’t think her looks were her priority, I don’t think she had ever really invested time in pursuing a career in modelling,” said Erin.