8 March 2010, 09:30

WELL-KNOWN POP STAR’S GIRLFRIEND WALKS AWAY WITH FHM MODELS 2010 WINNER TITLE

With a record-breaking 12 884 322 votes received from admirers across the country, Charné Jane Slee (22) of Johannesburg was announced as the winner of the prestigious FHM Models 2010 campaign, hosted by leading men’s magazine FHM.

The beautiful model, who also works as a project administrator at an IT Software Development company, says that she was literally almost speechless when FHM Editor Hagen Engler called her to share the good news. “I told Hagen I would scream if I could, but had no voice on the day due to campaign parties and lack of sleep. I was astonished and the sense of relief after all the hard work that so many people invested in me brought me to tears.”

Charné says that walking away as winner of FHM Models 2010 means a great deal to her and to represent FHM is a huge honour. She hopes to use this achievement to grow as a personality in the industry and further her modelling career. FHM Editor, Hagen Engler says that Charné is a worthy winner. “Charné is gorgeous and sincere, but she also put in the hard work it takes to win FHM Models 2010. She showed self-belief and she got out there, organising events and promoting herself online and in the real world to encourage people to vote for her. Her results show that she succeeded. She’s got the looks and the dedication and ambition it takes to be a star. And now she’ll be starring in the May issue of FHM.”

Charné’s opinion on why she won is simply: “Like anything it’s up to marketing; once you’re in the top 10 you know as a model that you have what they’re looking for. The rest is dependent on how you get yourself out there. I believe I remained classy, and networked as best I could.” In order to promote herself and encourage votes, she hosted many successful parties. “I had a marketing manager who approached me and together we pulled in great sponsors and venues. Each party consisted of 6 gorgeous girls with laptops at the door, branded with ‘Vote for Charné’ vests and getting people to sign up as fans and vote online. We encouraged SMS voting through tickets and prizes drawn after we held a fashion show.”

In order to celebrate her big win, Charné had friends and family on standby – if they received a smiley face via a text message together with a venue and time they knew why they should be there. Celebrations included dinner and sparkling wine. “They were all incredibly proud. Throughout the duration of this campaign they supported and encouraged me. There were some tough days with some nasty comments and rough criticism, but my family reminded me of who I am and why I was there.” Unfortunately for the hopeful single guys who were dreaming of winning over this beauty, Charné revealed that she is in a very happy relationship with none other than SA Musician Jacques Terre’Blanche. “We’ve been together for three and a half years. We met when I still lived in Cape Town as a student. My dad worried about my modelling interfering with my studies so I had to stop for a while. I did however slip down the street to the casting of Jacques’ music video, and ended up getting the lead role where I was asked to kiss him. After that we were inseparable. Once I completed my studies, I moved to Johannesburg to be with him. It was incredible and I’ve never regretted the move.”

Although she lives in Gauteng, Charné says that the region is not the only one boasting with the hottest girls in the country. “I think SA on a whole has the hottest girls. I grew up in Natal, studied in Cape Town and I’ve lived in Joburg for 3 years. I think I have a good view on what we have to offer and I’m always impressed.” Charné recently completed a photo shoot for FHM that will appear in the May issue. Apart from that she also won an impressive cash prize, which she’ll be using to pay off a loan. “I won’t however tell you what my loan was for,” she laughs. Describing herself as hard working and ambitious, Charné says that she also has the biggest desire to just live. “I love great people and good living. I’m up for any adventure or experience and I am crazy about travelling and food.” Her philosophy in life is her three “E”’s – embrace, experience and enjoy everything. Her biggest dream is to look back on a life full of travel and experiences. Apart from being in great shape herself, Charné already teamed up with fashion designer Steph G as an ambassador for his “say no to size zero” campaign – a cause against bulimia and anorexia. “I stand for curves, and I could think of no better initiative to be a part of; making all women and girls feel beautiful in their bodies.”

Confessing that she has a secret, Charné reveals: “I have a sick obsession with smarties and ultramel custard, mixed! It’s the one thing that makes people look at me weirdly. I indulge on my own every now and then.”  For the rest of the year, Charné wants to grow her modelling career, challenge herself to become an established name in the industry and working in all areas she can. She would also like to get involved in presenting.

For more on Charné and FHM Models 2010, visit fhm.co.za or m.fhm.co.za via your mobile phone’s internet browser. Also see more of Charné in the May issue of FHM, on sale end of March 2010.