Model Nikki Taylor grateful for successive breaks

For the past weeks, a Cebuana beauty has been figuring prominently on national television. The Fil-American model Nikki Taylor has been part of the Palmolive Shining Circle of 10 and the Search for the Next White Castle Girl.

In the Palmolive Search, she made it to the lucky Circle of 10 and she ended up as a finalist for the White Castle Girl search.

Fresh from her stints, she arrived last Tuesday and talked to The FREEMAN Entertainment exclusively about her recent “fruitful” experiences.

She proudly said that making it to the Palmolive tilt, which was launched in the 80s with international singer Lea Salonga as the first spokesperson, is one of her greatest achievements—not only for being the lone Cebuana to be included in the competition, but to be also the only candidate from outside Metro Manila who made it to the final 10.

“I’m happy because I’m the only one from outside Metro Manila. A lot were shocked that I made it. The Cebuanos in Palmolive told me hala nakasulod lagi ang Cebu, nindota ana uy,” enthused Nikki.

The results of the search were based both on text votes and on the criteria and personal qualities (shiny hair, glowing skin and most importantly, vibrant personality) that the Palmolive people wanted for this year’s Shining Circle of 10—and Nikki has it all.

Handled by model agent-discoverer Marlon Wafer, the 18-year-old and 5’7 tall Nikki is no stranger to print publicity here in Cebu. But she still very much gets excited at the sight of herself in Palmolive billboards and tarpaulins in the skyways of Manila.

So, what’s going to happen next? “We had a two-day taping that would present the 10 new Palmolive girls and what the promo is all about. It will come out a week or a month after. We have commercials and TV guestings including this August 19 on ‘ASAP.’ There’ll be year-round roadshows and mall tours. I will be conducting the mall tour here in Cebu.”

How does Nikki sum up her participation in the search? “The Palmolive Circle of Ten was all about girl fun; it was a kikay thing. It’s a new experience for me since I’m not really the girly-girly type. It was girl power and bonding, which was fun. As part of the Shining Circle of 10, I signed a one-year modeling contract and got 100,000 pesos.”

As for the White Castle experience, she said, “I wasn’t really after the winning, but the experience. The exposure was great, definitely! Imagine we were almost all over ABS-CBN shows from ‘Wazzup Wazzup’ to ‘Wowowee’.”

As for the winner, Nikki said that she believes there are more deserving girls like her personal bet, the first runner-up Jacq Yu. “She’s witty and very sexy,” praised Nikki.

Comparing the two most recent breaks, the articulate charmer said, “I think the Palmolive was more difficult because I’m not used to joining talent searches. I mean I have sung and danced with a group, but by myself, never. I mean, I’d rather talk. So, it was really something new to me.”

Nikki said it’s good to be home and back at school, as she’s been away for three to four weeks. “When we were there, they let us be. We worked from almost dawn to midnight. We go to the shoots alone; we have to be largely responsible for ourselves,” said Nikki. Just one proof that she has really grown in experience since she first entered the Cebu modeling scene via the Miss Teen Philippines-Visayas and the Miss Teen Philippines National Search, where she placed first runner-up.

Actually Nikki is being courted to try out the modeling and showbiz scene in Manila and has done some VTRs. “Yes, there are some standing offers. There’s an upcoming show in ABS-CBN that’s going to be launched this semester break. I’m asked to try it out since the shoot is going to be on a sembreak and won’t interfere with school,” she revealed.

Nikki is a second year student at Cebu Doctor’s University taking up Medical Laboratory Sciences. Her ambition in life is to “be a forensic scientist.” “There’s no assurance that showbiz will take me so far, so I need a back up. That’s why I really try to juggle school, modeling and all that, because I don’t want to be like anybody else, I want to be different.”

Despite her controversial withdrawal from the Miss Cebu Pageant this year reportedly prompted by quarters questioning her failure to meet the age requirement, Nikki firmly said, “I’m looking to join Miss Cebu again next year.”

Is she ready to face whatever controversy or challenge that may come her way as in her first try at the pageant? “All those things said about me, perhaps half of them were true or half were not. But I won’t let intrigues thrown at me affect me and keep me from doing what I want,” she affirmed.

Quoting her favorite motto, “I only have one life to live so I’m going to live it like it’s my last,” she believes that whatever fresh experience would happen in her life, she should savor it. “I have future plans, but I don’t really want to worry about my future. Whatever comes, comes. Whatever happens right now, I want to enjoy it all.”