Hometown girl needs YOUR help to make international splash
By Kyra Hoggan
A 19-year-old Castlegar woman is looking to put the Kootenays in the International eye as a semi-finalist in Maxim Australia’s Cover Girl Contest – but she’s running out of time and needs your vote!
The grand prize brings with it $25,000 worth of cash and prizes, including a photo shoot in Australia for the cover and a two-page inside photo spread in Maxim, plus up to 25 per cent proceeds earned from votes purchased to the K2 Adventure Foundation, a not-for-profit organization that cares for children, adults and families with special needs and or life-changing medical and financial circumstances by providing services, support and funds that will be used for educational and medical enrichment.
You may recognize the name Alexia Kardash from figure skating, the 2016 Miss Castlegar Pageant or her work at the Arrow Lakes Veterinary Hospital.
(Her last name, Kardash, is in no way related to the famous Kardashian family, despite the obvious similarity.)
“I’ve gotten jokes about that my entire life – it’s hilarious to me,” she said. “Yes, it IS my real name.”
Born and raised in the Castlegar/Ootischenia area, Alexia has always had an affinity for performance and grew up an avid figure skater. In 2016, she won first place for talent in the Miss Castlegar pageant with an arguably unusual skill.
“Our technology wasn’t so good, so I couldn’t show video of me figure skating,” she said. “I didn’t want to bore anyone, I wanted to be entertaining, so I went with the hula-hoop.
“I created a whole act around it, including a glow-in-the-dark segment.”
After graduating SHSS at 17, Alexia went to work as a kennel assistant at Arrow Lakes Veterinary Hospital – a job that dovetails nicely with her love of animals and her kinetic learning style.
“They let me participate and be hands-on – that’s why I like it,” she said. “I learn best by seeing and doing, so I’m lucky in that aspect.”
Meanwhile, she’s always been passionate about modelling and acting, and hopes this contest will open the door to new opportunities.
“It’s something I’ve always wanted to do, and winning would give me an advantage in showing that it doesn’t matter where you come from, you can still achieve big things.”
She also said she’d like to bring more physical range to the profession, which generally considers 5’7” short – and she’s only 5’2”.
“I’d like to bring that diversity to it,” she said.
Another stand-out element to her work so far is that, while many of her competitors are posting very sexually provocative photos, Alexia’s portfolio shows very little skin.
“I want to do this in a tasteful way – to be known for my talent, skill and class,” she said. “Beauty and sex aren’t the same thing.”
Nor is it all about looks, for Alexia.
“In a way, it’s like acting for me, telling a story with your eyes, your movement,” she said. “I think it requires a lot of creativity.”
This round of the competition ends at 11 p.m. on Oct. 8, and for Alexia to advance, she has to be in first place (she is currently in second). Anyone can vote once a day, and additional votes can be purchased if one chooses.
Just go to https://au.maximcovergirl.com/2020/alexia-kardash daily to vote, and let’s help Alexia win!”
“I would love to be able to represent the Kootenays. I’d be so proud.”
