FORMER Guyana Top Model winner, Nkechi Vaughn is trying her hand on the regional scene, hoping that she has what it takes to also win Caribbean’s Next Top Model (CNTM).Vaughn is the only Guyanese that made the cut for the Season 3 line-up of CNTM which began airing last Monday on Flow1 in Grenada. Most of the filming for the show took place in Grenada.
Over the next few weeks, Nkechi will vie against girls from all across the Caribbean, under the watchful eyes, and critiques, of the judges.
Former Miss Universe, Wendy Fitzwilliam, continues as the show’s host and head judge. The other judges are internationally-acclaimed photographer, Pedro Virgil of Australia, and Dominican fashion designer, Socrates McKinney.
Vaughn, 21, admits being surprised when she learnt she’d been selected to be in the show ahead of hundreds of Caribbean beauties who were pining to get in.
Only 17 finalists survived the preliminary vetting, and made the cut for the show. For Vaughn, her selection was all the more sweet because it follows the rejection of her 2013 submission to be a part of Season 2’s cycle.

IN SHOCK
“I was in total shock, because I’d just applied for the sake of applying. I was honestly expecting another “We’re sorry” message; I just didn’t think I was going to make the cut and be the only Guyanese,” the St Stanislaus College alum told The Buzz.
Vaughn’s selection show’s that perseverance truly is the key.
“When CNTM was in Guyana doing auditions in 2013,” she said, “I had auditioned then for Cycle 2, but I didn’t get in; Guyanese model, Anasha Dutchin was selected. I was devastated! Quit modelling for a little while and stuff like that, but when Cycle 3 came, I just reapplied. And, to my surprise, I got in!”
Vaughn can only hope that when the dust settles, she has what it takes to follow in the footsteps of Cayman Islands’ Treveen Stewart, and Grenada’s Kittisha Doyle, CNTM’s Season 1 and 2 winners respectively. Doyle is currently off to New York Fashion Week, flaunting what her momma gave her.
Vaughn has already proven that she has what it takes to survive at least two episodes, as she’s still in the running after last Monday’s two episodes, where a total of six girls found themselves axed.
The first episode sent home Grenada’s Gabrielle Minors, Dominica’s Lynah Bontiff, Trinidad & Tobago’s Karen Rampersad and a tearful Nyierah Placide of St Lucia.
Another contestant, Jamaica’s Altena Wilson, could not get pass Episode 2’s challenges. Neither could Sint Maarten’s Nina Victor, who was advised that she has a lot to work on with her modelling.