The Tribune

By JEFFARAH GIBSON

Tribune Features Writer

jgibson@tribunemedia.net

SASHA Fierce, the alter ego of superstar performer Beyonce, is the way 13-year-old Dana Kemp described her performance during the International Talent Showcase. Her “fierce” transformation in the front of the cameras and on the catwalk snagged her the award for the Overall Child Model.

The Bahamian International Talent Showcase (ITS) is produced by Pia Rolle of PTG Marketing and Modelling Agency. She serves as the director for ITS in the Bahamas.

For four consecutive years, PTG has helped young talent (actors, singers, dancers and models) launch their careers internationally and follow their dreams through development workshops, training, career guidance and management in preparation for the annual International Talent Showcase.

During the International Talent Showcase in Boca Raton, Florida last month there were eight Bahamians among the 130 participants. The Bahamas group made its presence felt and walked away with eight division wins. Young Dana was among the winners.

“One of my dad’s clients told him about auditions for the international talent search competition that was taking place and PTG Agency which is the host company here in Nassau and did the auditions. When I won the award I was ecstatic because I knew I had made not only made myself proud but also my parents, my family, Mrs Rolle, Yodephy, my school, and especially my country. Sometimes I am a very quiet and shy person. But, once I do a photo shoot or fashion show I am truly a different person. My mom and dad say I turn into Sasha Fierce. They say that is my alter ego,”  she told Tribune Entertainment.

The International Talent Showcase is an organisation whose primary objective is to promote and increase the standards of training and education in the modelling and performing arts industry, said Ms Rolle.

“Though most of these young people come to PTG through an open audition, a small number of them have previously been trained by other agencies. PTG re-trains them according to international industry standards and prepares them for the opportunity to perform abroad. Over the years, our success stories have been documented; most of the top Bahamian models have trained with PTG Modelling Agency,” she said.

Dana first started modelling at Yodephy in 2010. She was inspired by an edgy photo of an aunt, who at the time was posing for a photo shoot.

“When I saw the picture of my aunt, she was probably my age with make-up on her face, and I asked my grandmother about the picture. She told me that my aunt was doing a photo shoot for Yodephy. To be honest modelling was never my passion. I wanted to be a teacher then I realized I did not have the patience for it. But when I started Yodephy I realized this was truly my passion,” she told Tribune Entertainment.

Dana has not participated in any other competitions since winning the Overall Child Model title. Her eyes are fixed on the possibility of entering local competitions like Miss Teen Bahamas and Miss Bahamas Universe.

“Right now, I am just trying to stay focused on my school work.”

Dana is in the eighth grade at Kingsway Academy and after graduating she wants to pursue business studies so she can “own a modelling agency while continuing to pursue my modelling career.”