Lauren Lambert
'Britain's and Ireland's Next Top Model' winner Lauren Lambert wants to "inspire" people with tough upbringings to follow their dreams.
The 23-year-old model, who shockingly revealed she was kicked out of her mother's home at 15, was crowned winner of the Sky Living show by judges Elle Macpherson, Dannii Minogue and Tyson Beckford during last night (05.09.13) in what has become her very own rags to riches story.
Lauren revealed on the show she had spent part of her teenage years hanging out on park benches and sleeping in her dad's car before moving in with her younger sister and nephew into a one-bedroom flat, which she paid for through jobs in retail, admin and as a carer, ahead of her stint on the series.
Speaking of her experience, Lauren - who moved with her mum and brothers to London from St. Lucia when she was 10 years old - exclusively told BANG Showbiz: "It was difficult for me to open up to the girls, but it's a part of my life its a part of who I am.
"I hope I can be an inspiration to those who are in the position that I was then, I know there are a few people who I have spoken to on Twitter and a few of them have been in a similar position. They can relate to me and I am so glad because I can talk to them, I'm hoping that they can take a leaf out of my book and follow their dreams."
Meanwhile, the brunette beauty finds it difficult to watch the moment she beat finalists Emma Ward and Sarah Kennedy because it was such an "emotional roller-coaster".
Lauren - who gained a contract with top agency Models 1 - said:" I watched it back with my family so it was even more emotional roller-coaster, especially in the finals going against two amazing girls. It was tough, it was very difficult to watch it back because I knew I felt that emotion that I felt then."
Lauren will cover Company magazine's September issue and be featured in Revlon's nationwide campaign.
Tagged in Dannii Minogue Tyson Beckford