Model Erin Holland is the face of Affinity Diamonds campaign
SHE was crowned Miss World Australia in 2013 and even though she has been working hard ever since, Erin Holland is yet to establish herself as a household name. But she’s happy to take a slow and steady approach to fame.
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SHE is a classically trained opera singer, an actor, presenter, dancer and definitely has model good looks — but somehow former Miss World Australia winner Erin Holland is yet to establish herself as a household name.
While many Aussie A-listers are solely a pretty face or propped up by their famous partner, Holland is considered by many to be the whole package.
However the 29-year-old star on the rise said becoming as recognisable as her idol Jennifer Hawkins takes time.
“You earn a right to have your place in this industry,” Holland, tells BW Magazine.
“You have to do it the right way and work really hard. If I look back to where I was two years ago, it is amazing how things have grown.
“But really, for me, it’s not about being a household name, it’s about making a career out of doing what I love.”
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That career is coming, though. Holland — who has a Bachelor of Classical Voice — this year anchored Star India’s coverage of the Indian Premier League cricket series, beamed into 1 billion homes around the world.
She appeared in Channel 7’s drama The Secret Daughter and, of course, won the 2013 Miss World Australia title.
Holland says while it would be easy to say yes to every opportunity, she believes slow and steady wins the race.
“I’ve had a steady growth rather than something quickly happening which would thrust me into the spotlight,” she says.
“We have seen that’s not always forever. I would rather do the hard yards, which is what I have done so far.
“I am happy I come from that opera, singing and dancing background because when clients are tossing up between me and someone else, I have got that extra skill set that gets me across the line. I love surprising people.”
Part of Holland’s rise to fame in the fickle entertainment industry has been thanks to her remarkable style evolution.
Once a bleach-blonde babe who would kick around Cairns in thongs, Holland has transformed herself into a classy and striking brunette beauty.
“It’s so important to be ever-changing and keep offering something different in this industry,” she says.
“I grew up singing and dancing and playing a part on the stage and it was never about me, it was about the character I was playing.
“When I decided to do the Miss World Australia, it became about Erin Holland, not the character I was playing, so I had to pay close attention to what I was wearing and the image I was portraying.
“I had been blonde for 28 years and when I dyed my hair dark, something changed and I got more work and the opportunity to present the IPL in India.
“Doors opened up for me, I don’t know why but now I genuinely enjoy putting extra effort in and coming up with the perfect outfit and spending more time on my style.”
One of the doors that opened for Holland was an ambassadorship with Affinity Diamonds. She will star as the face of the brand’s Red Carpet Collection campaign.
The collection is a culmination of design concepts from Holland and star stylist Donny Galella.
“Who doesn’t want to be a brand ambassador for a diamond brand,” Holland says.
“They are a family owned and operated business and have been around for more than 30 years.
“I love seeing their brand name pop up more and more. Delta, Kelly Rowland and Sophie Monk have been wearing their pieces quite frequently.
“They are one of those ones who have been around for a while but you don’t realise what you are seeing is Affinity.”
To mark the occasion Holland will don a $1 million headpiece this Saturday at Sydney’s hugely anticipated Everest race day.
“This headpiece is so incredible, we have planned my outfit around the jewels, instead of the other way around,” she says.
“It has been valued at more than a million dollars, so I’ll have security following me around.
“It’s going to be my Hollywood moment.”
Originally published as Model Erin Holland is the face of Affinity Diamonds campaign
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