SHE had wanted her grandmother to see her strutting down the catwalk last night, but had been told it wouldn't happen.

After all, the elderly lady was wheelchair bound after suffering a stroke and was unable to speak.

So imagine her surprise when Shahirah Price spotted the 76-year-old in the crowd with her family at The New Paper New Face 2008 Grand Finals at Takashimaya Square.

It was a 'super shock', she said, but a pleasant one.

And probably one which helped spur her to win the coveted title.

The 18-year-old marketing student at Nanyang Polytechnic beat 19 others to walk away with the $10,000 grand prize.

Said Shahirah: 'Because my grandma really took care of me when I was really small, so even when she had a stroke, I wanted her to see me.'

Her self-employed mum, Mrs Ida Price, 48, said she was reluctant to take grandma out in her condition.

But she said that Shahirah insisted.

She wanted grandma to see a different side of her. My mum didn't even recognise her,' said Mrs Price.

The 'simple girl' they knew, who walked around in flip-flops all the time, had transformed into a real winner on stage.

And grandma seemed to approve. Shahirah's dad, Mr Mick Price, 49, a British businessman, said his mother-in-law was full of smiles and gave a 'thumbs-up'.

Mrs Price joked about how they will celebrate: 'Since she has won $10,000, she has to foot the celebration bill now.'

As for Shahirah, she dedicated her victory to grandma, and her friends and family.

The gorgeous half-British, half-Malay girl attributed her good looks to her parents.

'My mum is gorgeous and my father is good-looking,' she said.

To which, her father said: 'I'm flattered, but I think it's her personality that carries the whole thing.'

He said her daughter can be quiet and shy, but joining The New Face contest has made her more confident.

Top local model Sheila Sim, one of the six judges for the event, said of Shahirah: 'She's got the aura, the elegance.'

Shahirah's pretty smile, photogenic looks and X-factor also won her over.

Another judge, Subaru MotorImage group CEO Glenn Tan, said Shahirah was clearly his favourite.

'It was the way she walked, her stage presence,' he said.

Watched by a big crowd at the shopping mall, last night's event went by smoothly, with nary a trip-up.

The heel of one finalist, Cheryl Koh, broke, but she didn't stumble, and it was hardly noticed.

Other than Shahirah, the other big winner was first runner-up Shatricia Nair. She won $5,000 as well as the Miss Elegant title.

It has been exhausting for the 19-year-old student, whose exams are coming up.

Juggling schoolwork and the competition was tough.

'I'm quite relieved it's over because it's quite a tiring journey, but I enjoyed every moment,' she said.

Third-placed Geraldine Chua, 19, who won $3,000 and also the Miss Lady Style title, seemed overwhelmed.

'I'm still in shock,' she said.

She said she was stressed.

'I'm glad the judges didn't see that,' she said.

The Miss Popularity title went to Jennifer Polce, 18. She received 20 per cent of the 10,400 votes cast.

CREDITS

Hair: Monsoon Hair Academy

Make-up: M.A.C

WINNERS

1st: Shahirah Price

2nd: Shatricia Nair

3rd: Geraldine Chua

This article was first published in The New Paper on Oct 11, 2008.