Beauty: Chontelle Berryman from Endeavour Hills is starring in a hit reality show.By LIA SPENCER
IN high school, Chontelle Berryman was crowned the Most Likely to be the Next Paris Hilton.
One year later, and the 18-year-old blond-haired beauty may be well on her way earning the title having recently wrapped up filming for a popular reality show.
Chontelle, an Endeavour Hills resident who graduated from Hallam Senior College last year, was one of 10 women picked from across Australia to compete on Channel 7 show Beauty and the Geek.
The show teams up beauties and geeks who compete in a series of challenges to test their brains and charisma in a pursuit of a $100,000 prize.
Chontelle said she auditioned with a friend for a spot on Beauty and the Geek, but never thought she would be selected. Once she was, Chontelle deferred her special-effects make-up course at Swinburne University, packed up her bags and flew to Sydney for the making of the show.
“I was in shock when I got picked,” she said.
“It was absolutely amazing.”
Before she starting filming, Chontelle admitted she focused too much on her outward appearance and always had a full face of make-up. Chontelle said she hoped to learn not to worry so much about her looks and in return, she wanted to share her confidence with the geeks.
Chontelle was matched up with Cody, a 19-year-old webmaster from South Australia. She said he taught her “a lot more general knowledge” and showed her that personality mattered. She still keeps in contact with Cody as well as other beauties and geeks from the show.
“We all have each other’s numbers and keep in touch,” she said.
“(The show) has definitely changed me. I used to never talk to people – like geeks and things like that – but they are people I would talk to a lot more now.”
Chontelle is unable to reveal what happens on upcoming episodes of Beauty and the Geek, but said she tunes in to watch it every week.
“It’s really strange to watch yourself on TV – I watch it and cringe – it’s embarrassing,” she said.
“But I watch it with friends and the love it. My friends and family are really proud of me.”
Chontelle has since received some promotional work and plans to go back to university next term.
