Topfer Takes on International Talent Title

Josh Topfer, one of my oldest friends and absolute gorgeous human beings, has just come back from America after winning Senior Male Model of the World. Having congratulated him on his amazing win he asked me if I wouldn't mind writing a little something for the local paper. Of course I was extremely honoured and felt flattered that he thought my writing was good enough to do his story justice. The following piece is what I sent into the Glasshouse Country and Maleny News which you can find in the August 10th edition. You can view the article here.

19-year-old Glasshouse local, Josh Topfer was thrown into the 20th annual World Championships of Performing Arts (WCOPA) and won, claiming the title of Grand Champion Senior Male Model of the World.

“When I won the award I was just shaking, I didn’t know what to do,” said Josh on his spectacular global win.

Having auditioned for the Annie Warbucks musical at Goodwin Performing Arts on the Sunshine Coast, Associate Director and Licensed Talent Scout Alison Goodwin spoke about the possibility of him travelling to California to compete in the invitational-only event.

Josh, who had no prior modeling experience, saved a small fortune through his work at his parents fruit shop and travelled the 13 hours by himself to compete in what is known as the ‘talent Olympics’.

After a week of celebrating the fourth of July holiday with fireworks off the Queen Mary and displaying the ultimate patriotism at the competitions opening ceremony, Josh experienced a full day of the Worldstars Bootcamp. This workshop gave him an insight into the modeling world as renowned experts gave each competitor comprehensive entertainment educational training.

The WCOPA ran from the 8th – 17th of July in Long Beach, California as over 40 countries competed in the junior (5-15 years) and senior (16+ years) competitions.

There was also the opportunity to meet with modeling agencies, known as the ‘go-see’s’. According to Josh everyone had their own business cards, but given the rush to get to America this was not something he had thought off.

“I went to the hotel souvenir store, bought a notepad to the goo-see’s and on each piece of the notepad I wrote my name, email and phone number.

“How bogan is that?”

Three different agents invited Josh to meet with them, which was considered a milestone and massive achievement in the eyes of his competitors.

Ultimately, he was awarded with the gold finalist award, three overall awards, five gold medals (for swimwear, casual, formal, photographic and spokesmodel) and an industry award. He also received a trophy and Oleg Cassini designed suit as part of his modeling title.

Through this international adventure Josh met people from across the globe and had the time of his life. It’s now onwards and upwards for him as he already made his mark in the modelling industry.

#ashleighdwan #beyondthestory #journalism