How model Elyse Knowles became The Block’s unlikely superstar

SHE’S a smoking hottie, but Aussie model Elyse Knowles set out to prove she’s more than a pretty face when she signed up for The Block.

Elyse Knowles for new Bras N Things collection called Vamp

JUST a week after filming wrapped on this season of Channel Nine’s The Block, Aussie model Elyse Knowles was back at her usual day job, on the set of a lingerie photoshoot in her undies.

The 25-year-old and her partner Josh Barker had spent the previous 13 weeks up at all hours finishing renovations on their designated property in Melbourne’s Elsternwick.

Knowles, who works mainly as an underwear and swimwear model fronting campaigns for big brands, normally exercises five to six times a week to maintain her figure and is very strict with her diet, avoiding all processed foods, sugar and junk food.

Picture: Bras N Things

Picture: Bras N Things

But during filming, she only had time to workout once a week. Her normal regimen took a back seat to plastering and painting.

“It was a bit scary getting into underwear after being in baggy clothes and boots for three months,” Knowles, the face of Bras N Things’ new Vamp campaign, which went live this week, told news.com.au.

“I hadn’t had time to properly prepare, but you can’t back down on these things. I exercised pretty much once a week,” Knowles said.

“We didn’t have any time, because we were always plastering or painting. It comes down to every hour in that week and you have no time to cure your body and rest. It’s go, go, go for three months.”

Elyse Knowles for Bras N Things VAMP range.

She remained disciplined with her eating, admitting she’s “quite picky” when it comes to food.

“I am pretty strict about keeping healthy and making sure I’m not eating processed foods and sugars,” Knowles said.

“I was really lucky to have my mum make food and bring us veggie and lentil soup and healthy quiches with lots of veggies. Having healthy snacks on hand was really key for us, because you’re up at 4am saying, ‘I’m starving, what can I have to eat?’

“There’s a really good smoothie bar down the road and I was there getting green smoothies every morning.

“But you’re tried, you’re stressed, you’re angry. It’s a big whirlwind of emotions. Sometimes you do give in and say, ‘Give me a lolly or a chocolate.’”

Elyse Knowles and her partner Josh Parker have quickly become fan favourites on The Block. Picture: Channel Nine

Being on a construction site is very different to a fashion photoshoot, but Knowles enjoyed the change of scene.

“All the tradies, they don’t care what they look like. You can wear anything, you can wake up any day without makeup and no one judges you. I absolutely loved that and I would wear what I wanted,” she said, adding that she and Parker entered the competition on their own and weren’t approached by Nine to sign up.

“It was a really scary thing coming into The Block. It could have gone either way — it could have had a negative impact on my career.

“There’s this stereotype of a model. Even the contestants on the show — Jason and Sarah and Ronnie and Georgie said it — they said, ‘Oh, she’s a model, who knows what she can do.’

“I wanted to prove to them and everyone else that I am a model but there’s more to me than that.

“We’re exactly the same as you and we’ve worked bloody hard to get where we are in our jobs, just like everyone else.”

She says she’s now regularly approached by mums on the street thanking her for being a positive role model for young women.

“I like to show women and girls that we can do whatever boys do and we can get our hands dirty,” she said.

“I am a tomboy, this is who I am. I wanted to be 100 per cent myself. Maybe I’m a little bit crazy, but I like to show that I am down to earth and everyone can do this.”

Picture: Channel Nine

While her debut TV gig is now “opening different doors”, Knowles’ dream modelling job is walking in the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, a coveted gig for any model, but with a famously ruthless casting process.

“There’s been a lot of knock backs ... years on end when I didn’t get one job at all and I would cry to Mum and say I’m giving up, but she wouldn’t let me.

“I’m going to try hard to get that Victoria’s Secret casting,” she said.

But before all that can begin, Knowles and Parker have to get through The Block finale on Sunday night.

“I’m pretty much sh*tting myself,” she said.

“We’re very nervous and I can’t wait for it all to be over so I can have my brain back and just settle down.”

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