Leandrei Strauss (19) local model from Alberton is excited to go to New York

Leandrei Strauss (19), local model from Alberton, will soon be on her way to New York City to take part in the International Modeling and Talent Association’s (IMTA) convention.

This is a dream come true for the model and if current circumstances permit, she will be in New York by July 19.

Taking part in the convention

In 2019, Strauss had been attending castings for advertisements and taking part in modelling competitions.

She was scouted on her Instagram by The International Arts Talent Showcase after uploading her modelling pictures, which caught a lot of people’s attention.

Link to online article: 

Alberton High learner needs your help to travel overseas

She then took part in auditions in May where she later received a call back to attend the ninth Annual National Round, which was hosted in September at Silverstar Casino.

During her auditions, she had to showcase her modelling skills and left judges impressed.

She was then scouted by international judges and got two callbacks from Joey Hunter and Nate Butler to attend the New York IMTA convention this year.

“In just a few more months, my dream will become a reality.

“I will actually be walking on stage at the IMTA Convention in New York,” said Strauss.

IMTA is the place where the world’s top model and talent agents, managers and casting directors come to find new faces. She will perform in front of 300 agents.

“The platform offers unique performance and educational opportunities for aspiring models and artists, to showcase their craft and enable them to get their careers started.”

She also attended the IMTA boot camp in January where they prepared for the IMTA and did workshops on everything they needed to know before they travel overseas

The second boot camp for the convention will take place in April where they will go through the final preparations before jetting off to New York.

Link to online article: 

Alberton High learner needs your help to travel overseas

“This opportunity means everything to me as I have been waiting for years to go overseas and show my skills to the world.”

Modelling career and charity work

Strauss started modelling at Figures Model Finesse in Alberton in 2015.

“There, I managed to build my confidence, appearance and modelling-related skills,” she said.

She also received a lot of crowns, sashes, trophies and medals for showcases and competitions she took part in.

In May 2018, she went for a six-month course at The Model Academy where she got introduced to modelling, castings, model etiquette and requirements of a model.

She then graduated in December 2018 as a professional model and signed up with Rage Models.

She was also crowned Miss Alberton High School in 2019.

She is a loveable, vibrant young woman who loves fashion, modelling and singing.

If she is not walking on the runway, she loves to do art and her hobbies include swimming, fishing and spending quality time with friends.

Link to online article: 

Alberton High learner needs your help to travel overseas

Strauss also loves to do community work, where she helps others by donating clothes.

She also collects bottle caps for her school, which has a charity project that donates a wheelchair to people who can’t afford it.

GALLERY: