2017 has been filled with so many amazing highlights here at Energetiks, and one of our favourite events this year was running our 2018 Energetiks Model Search with Dance Informa, which saw hundreds of dancers enter for the chance to become an Energetiks Model, star on the cover of Dance Informa and be the official VDF 2018 Ambassador.
...And whilst all of the incredible entries we received made it a very tough decision, at last our Winner was chosen! Now, after flying to Melbourne earlier this month for a two day photoshoot with Energetiks, it's finally time for you to meet our 2018 Model Search Winner, Portia Talib! 

Check out Portia's chat with us below and get an exclusive preview of the gorgeous new Collections modelled by Portia during her campaign photoshoot with Energetiks.

Q. You’ve just won the Energetiks 2018 Model Search, Congrats! How did you react when you found out?
I was at school in English class and my mum left me a message saying “portia call me back asap, I need to talk to you” thinking  that there was an emergency I walked out of class. Mum was in Melbourne at the time and our phones wouldn’t connect but finally I called her and straight away she screamed in my ear  “YOU WON THE ENERGETIKS COMPETITION!" Everyone was in class at the time so I had to hold in my excitement (which was very very hard) but inside I was bursting with joy. When I got home I literally ran around the house because I was ecstatic.
 

Q. Did you enjoy the experience of flying to Melbourne for your photoshoot?
I absolutely love Melbourne so being flown over was terrific. On the plane ride over I had extra leg room which was definitely a plus. The overall experience was amazing and the photo shoot was so much fun!
 

Q. How did your journey with dance begin, and how old were you?
My mum enrolled me in dance class when I was 3 years old, I remember loving it from the very start and it was something that I always (and still) look forward to.
 

Q. What part of dancing do you love the most?
I love that dance can tell a story without any words, by using the body as a form of expression. So many emotions can be seen, felt and expressed by the body’s movement.
 

Q. Where do you hope to be in five years time?
In five years I hope to be living in Melbourne, either dancing, acting or modeling. 
 

Q. What’s something people may be surprised to know about you? 
That I am a black belt in Taekwondo.

Q. Which part of class do you most enjoy?
I always love to see the finished product of a dance. You can see how you have improved, what new skills you have learnt and the outcome makes you feel proud and accomplished.
 

Q. What’s your favourite song this summer?
‘Good old days’ by Macklemore and Kesha.
 

Q. How would you describe your (fashion) style in three words?
Comfy, urban, and elegant.

Q. Tell us about your favourite performance moment:
My favourite performance moment would have to be performing the dance ‘cell block tango’ from the movie Chicago in my recent end of year concert. It was such an exhilarating and strong dance, and it made me realise how far I have come since injuring myself at the start of the year. It also allowed me to acknowledge how much I love dance and how amazing it would be to do it as a career. 
 

Q. What saying, quote or mantra do you always try to live by?
“You can fail at what you don’t want, so you might as well take a chance on doing what you love” - Jim Carrey 

Q. Favourite dance outfit at the moment:
Energetiks ribbed detail leotard, Energetiks leggings and a Classic tank top.

Q. Any hidden talents?
That I can act and sing.

Q. Favourite guilty pleasure:
Eating a whole pizza and drinking a chocolate deluxe thick shake!

Q. The 3 people in the world you’d most like to meet: 
Zac Efron, Jennifer Lawrence, and Pink.

Q. What’s something you’ve learned this year?
Something that I have learnt this year is that you have to work hard to get where you want to be, because it doesn’t just happen; every successful person had to start somewhere and you have to have your breakdowns to have your breakthroughs.

Q. How do you stay motivated when you’re having a challenging day?
Whenever I’m having a challenging day I always try to surround myself with positive people, I put some upbeat music on and remind myself that I will get through it.

Q. What cartoon/animated character are you most like?
I have been told that I look most like Pocahontas, I also see my self as independent, free-spirited and strong minded which Pocahontas also portrays.

Q. Any final words of advice to other dancers/aspiring models?
I would tell other dancers, models and really anybody aspiring to be in the entertainment industry to always think of your end goal, to push yourself to your fullest potential and when the going gets tough to keep on persevering and believing in yourself

Follow Portia on instagram here: @portia.jade.t and stay tuned to our instagram for more photos from Portia's shoot!

Watch this space for news on the Latest Energetiks Collections and release date announcements.

Interview and photography by Elly Ford.

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