Shontelle heads to Jamaica for Pulse event

International recording star and singer of the Billboard hot 100 hit single T-Shirt and the current runaway smash Impossible, Shontelle Layne, better known by her first name Shontelle, will be the headline act at Pulse's Caribbean Model Search finals on September 5 in the Wyndham Kingston ballroom. The Bajan singer-songwriter will headline a cast of international entertainers, celebrities and supermodels who will be part of the entertainment as Pulse looks to find its next superstar models.

So far, more than 500 contestants have entered the search and that number will be reduced to a group of finalists ahead of the event. The live event will be followed by multiple TV reality series for standard and full-figure new faces. However, Pulse is still looking for that special face, so entry to the event remains open. Model hopefuls should call 960 0049, or visit Pulse at the Pulse Centre, 38A Trafalgar Road, New Kingston. Winners will be selected in four categories: Fashion Model, Male Face, Full Figure and Petite Fashion Model.

Pulse Caribbean Model Search is a Pulse production, presented in partnership with Supreme Ventures Sports Betting, Just Bet, Nestle Fitness Cereal, Eye Q Optical, The Gleaner, The Wyndham, CVM TV, Hype TV, Zip FM, Studio 38 and Samurai Investments Ltd.

A stunning beauty, Shontelle's first music venture was when she appeared in the music video for the reworked Roll It, performed by J-Status, featuring her and Rihanna, in 2006.

Shontelle is signed to Street Records/Universal Motown, where she released her debut album Shontellegence. The album spawned the singles T-Shirt, Stuck With Each Other, featuring Akon and Battle Cry. She also won the Barbados Music Award (BMA) for 'Song of the Year' (2009) for T-Shirt. Her sophomore album No Gravity, from which singles Impossible and Licky (Under the Covers) have come.

Shontelle was a student at Harrison College in her native Barbados and attended the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill campus (currently on hold). She was on her way to becoming a lawyer before SRC, the same label known for discovering her friend Rihanna, saw her talent. Shontelle wrote the song Roll It Gal for regionally renowned Alison Hinds.

The 2010 Gleaner-sponsored Pulse Caribbean Model Search is now on. This year's search will feature more than the usual new model hopefuls, adding major celebrities, international supermodels and superstar performers, headlined by R&B recording star Shontelle.

New faces will compete in four categories for the titles - Jamaica Fashion Model, Petite Jamaica Fashion Model, Male Face of Jamaica and Full-Figured Fashion Model at the finals, which will be held on Sunday, September 5 at the Wyndham Kingston Hotel. Today, Alicia Simpson, Stephanie Plummer, Kadian Shirley, and Kadia Dias.