Will former beauty queen Janine Tugonon finally become the first Filipina to join the ranks of supermodels in the most-awaited Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show this holiday season?
This after Tugonon made it to the second round of the callback session for the casting of new models of the fashion extravaganza in New York City.
Last weekend, hundreds of models turned out at the casting callbacks. On October 25, Tugonon was in the shortlist of new VS angels. The new VS models are expected to be announced this week.
This year, the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show will head to Paris, France and will be broadcast around the world on December 5.
Tugonon said on Instagram that she just arrived from the Dominican Republic for the photo shoot of an art calendar after she won in the “12 Nu Muses” modeling contest. The winners were photographed by David Bellemere.
Asked to comment on Tugonon’s nude photo, Jonas Gaffud of the Aces and Queens beauty camp said: “Oh my God! At first I was really shocked. But then I came to realize na ang ganda ng picture n’ya. It’s so artistic! I am very happy for her.”
Now based in the US, Tugonon has initially appeared in the latest ad of Victoria’s Secrets Pink, which caters to female college students ages 13 to 22.
The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show has become a launching pad for any girl pursuing a career in fashion and modelling. Launched in August 1995, the annual fashion show is known for its lavish lingerie costumes and elaborate set decorations based on various themes.
Among those who have made it big as Victoria’s Secret Angels were Brazilian Alessandra Ambrosio, American Stephanie Seymour, Brazilian Adriana Lima, American Tyra Banks, Brazilian Gisele Bundchen, American Marisa Miller, and German Heidi Klum.
For walking down the runway in six-inch heels and massive wings, an “angel” could possibly get around $100,000, report said. But the amount is expected to go up if they get other deals in modeling, endorsements or television appearances.
Aside from modeling, Tugonon also said that she wants to make it big in Hollywood.
“If I get bigger, I would transition it to acting. It’s definitely one of my goals – to make it to Hollywood,” she said.
Tugonon is a graduate of pharmacy at the University of Sto.Tomas in Manila. At the 2012 Miss Universe pageant, she became first runner-up to Olivia Culpo of USA. Following her stint in Miss Universe contest, Tugonon studied and pursued modeling in the US. She also became a model for MSA Models.