The 2006 RALPH Australian Swimwear Model of the Year, 18-year-old Perth beauty Samantha Lee, was head and shoulders above the competition – literally.

So, RALPH ASMY is the first time you’ve won anything, right?
Yes, I’d never won anything before. I was so unlucky! That’s why I was so shocked when it happened.

You looked like a natural on stage. Have you always been confident?
No, I haven’t, especially in bathers. The first time I got on a stage in a bikini I was very self-conscious, like, “Oh my God, I’m nearly half-naked!” But after a while I was quite comfortable.

You wore very sexy black boots in the final, which made you about 7ft tall. Discuss.
I was wearing a black bikini and thinking of what shoes to wear. I tried my boots on and it clicked in my head that it looked absolutely amazing. Mum was saying, “You can’t wear boots, you can’t wear boots, it’ll look tacky!” But I decided to be a rebel, go against Mum’s advice and do what I thought looked good.

Where do you get your height from?
My dad. It means I get noticed... in good and bad ways. Boys prefer middle-height or shorter girls, particularly here in Perth, where there aren’t that many tall guys. People notice you in shopping centres because they spot you from a distance, but I only wear the boots for modelling competitions. I don’t want to be 7ft tall and stand out all the time, like a giant.

Are guys intimidated by your height?
No. I’ve had other hair colours and Some of them are, because I don’t get shorter guys coming up and talking to me, that’s for sure.

Why did you decide to study forensics and criminology at uni? Did you watch too much CSI?
Exactly. I love that show. I’ve been watching it for a couple of years and love the way they go into the lab and find out who the killer is.

Have you seen a dead body?
Not yet. But in forensics I’ve seen dead pigs and horses cut up into little bits. I couldn’t even touch the pig; it was a bit icky for me and the smell was pretty bad.

How do you expect your family and friends to react to your shoot?
They’ll be totally stunned but not surprised, because they know I have it in me. My next-door neighbour has already put clippings of me on her fridge, apparently. She’s so proud of me and I don’t even know her that well.

Have you been recognised since you won?
When I came back to Perth there were lots of newspaper articles, and a guy at my gym recognised me. He asked me to sign a RALPH when my shoot goes in.

We notice your e-mail is “Milfintraining” – is that your big ambition, to be a yummy mummy?
I saw it on a top in Supre and I was looking for a new e-mail address that was hot and sexy, so I decided on milfintraining. But yeah, I would like to be a hot mum one day. Not for a while yet, though.

Yummy mummys know they drive teenage boys wild – you’ll be happy doing that?
(Laughs) Yes!

What attributes will the guy you marry need to have?
A lot of things, actually. A decent job – something that pays well so I don’t have to be working all the time and can relax. I like blond boys with blue eyes, not too short and not too long... and nice arms. I like nice arms.

What mistakes do guys tend to make when they approach you?
I’d just like them to act more like my best friend, not try to get into my pants all the time. Try to have a decent conversation and show you have lots of things in common with me instead of, “Hey, how’re ya doin’?” and coming on really sleazy.

Do you get intimidated by hot guys?
No, not at all. I don’t get intimidated by guys, even if they’re famous, because I don’t speak to them unless I feel I have something in common with them.

Have you met anyone famous?
Dr Harry.

Oh yeah, he’s hot.
It was a while ago. He was signing books at Garden City shopping centre. I’ve always admired him because I wanted to be a vet once.

Michael Pickering

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