Sasha Shantel Bennett

iCandy’s very own Sasha Shantel Bennett not only has the beautiful, feminine curves and striking looks but she is also flowering into an entrepreneur. Amongst her many talents she is a model, a writer and an actress, as well as a mentor for young people searching for employment. After winning the title of Miss Flavour 2008, Sasha’s modelling career is in the fast lane and with the ability to produce images like these it is not hard to see why…

Likes… spending time with friends and loved ones, my mother’s cooking, sunsets, men with good manners, shopping!

Dislikes… bad breath, sarcasm, backstabbers and rudeness!

Tell us about your best experience to date.
My best experience was graduating from university. I felt a deep sense of achievement because I have never found studying easy and have always needed to put in extra work to be the best. However, when you have to work hard for something, it is all the sweeter. It also reminded me that I never give up, or give in. I always set challenges for myself and without fail, I always overcome adversity.

What was it like winning Miss Flavour 2008?
It was brilliant because it helped me to grow more confident in myself and in my abilities. It is not easy standing in a room full of people and walking around in a bikini. It takes a whole heap of guts and it makes you develop a thick skin. The title allowed me to widen my horizons and showcase not only my modelling but also my writing talents. During my reign, I was able to work with some of the best photographers, stylists and make-up artists. It was wonderful to have the Flavour team behind me because they recognise how hard it is to be noticed and to stand out from the crowd. Meeting the other contestants was also inspiring because they each had achieved so much. As a result of the Miss Flavour experience I am now more hardworking and focussed. I really see no limits in what I can achieve.

What has been the biggest turning point for you?
…Realising that I should never be my own worst enemy. For too long I came down hard on myself if things didn’t quite pan out the way I wanted. I never congratulated myself enough for what I had achieved…be it academically, financially or professionally. However, over the past few years I have come to realise that when I remain positive, better things happen. Life is too short to be focussing on what I don’t have. I choose now to focus on my confidence, determination and drive which helps me attain more.

Where do you see yourself in five years time?
In five years time I see myself running my own lifestyle company, acting in films, modelling my own clothing line and becoming an all-round entrepreneur. I am working on so many things right now. I am training to teach exercise, I’m taking a short course in style coaching (I’ve always been interested in fashion), I’ll be mentoring and developing positive thinking strategies for other individuals who want to change their lives… I definitely aim to have a nice house and a sports car!!

What’s coming up in 2010?
I’m launching my fitness and online jewellery brand with my business partner, as well as expanding on my personal blog and my new inspirational and positive thinking blog In-spire Lifestyles. I love acting and am currently filming a short film. I am also spending time promoting myself on a number of networking sites because I want to feature in other online and mainstream publications and hopefully, now that I have representation, I can move onto bigger and brighter ventures.

Finish the sentences:
Modelling… isn’t easy. You always need to work on your facial expressions and body movements. I am constantly learning and looking at other peoples images to get ideas for my own work. There is always room for improvement and posing in front of the mirror with a digital camera does not a model make!

My biggest fear is… that one day I will stop appreciating what is good in my life. I want to always cease the day and know that in whatever I attempted to do, I always did it to the best of my ability and with passion.

People… can achieve amazing things when they commit to following their dreams.

Age - 24
Measurements 34-27-33
Bust – 34D
Hips - 33
Waist - 27
Location - South London, UK
Websites – facebook.com/sashashantel
modelmayhem.com/sexysashashantel
twitter.com/sashashanteIVIP
sashashantelonline.blogspot.com

Words by Berni Christie

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