|
|
"Ok girls, remember, the bikini calendar is looming. Make sure you all keep in shape for the big day," Carole Anne casually announced.
Ha ha, A bikini calendar? Sorry what?! As in pose, in a bikini? Nothing else? With cameras? And pictures? Ooooh wait a wee minute – pictures that will last for a whole year? On a wall? Some girls' worst nightmare, some girls' life dream… I was a bit of both.
Way, way back in June at the auditions we all knew that the vets had posed for a bikini calendar in 2005 and beautiful it was too. The reaction was slightly delayed however in the realisation that we rookies would have to share the load this year. With the number of girls on the squad increasing to 21 this year there was some ambiguity over which individual and group pictures would be chosen. After a few rounds of 'handbags at ten paces' (may the best cheerleader win!) we agreed that the best pictures would amount to the best calendar for the Rockettes and more importantly, more sales for CHAS and Cash for Kids.
So with the big day approaching all too swiftly, the challenge was to prepare for Lights! Camera! Action! This would have been an absolute nightmare if it weren't for our team of fabulous sponsors on hand to transform us into 21 bikini-clad beauties! Smiles Beauty Clinic coped wonderfully with an influx of stressed Rockettes ready to be made over and the Pele Nuevo hairdressing team used the week of the big photoshoot to prime our styles ready for final styling on the big day. I was in the hairdressers at the time when Michael, from Pele's, received the call from Carole Anne to ask him to be part of the panel which would decide on the final 12 pictures. In a state of fluster, he exclaimed, "this will be such a hard choice, how am I meant to possibly choose?" Uch it's a hard job but somebody has to do it eh Michael?!
Next came the dreaded choosing of the bikinis. We all brought the bikinis we wanted to wear to training at JJB Fitness at the Fort. It was hard to accept that 21 girls couldn't all wear pink!! Eventually we were all allocated a colour, and literally had to beg, steal or borrow to get it, then tried it on ready for the thumbs-up or the politely put "hmm let's try another style on you, shall we?"
I borrowed an orange number for my individual photo, hopefully it wouldn't clash with all my fake tan… I would need to make sure my fake tan was flawless with absolutely no streaks! But have no fear – St. Tropez are here! Our new sponsors kindly came to the gym to give us all a professional spray tan the Friday before the shoot. We were officially oompa-loompa free! Result.
So eventually it had arrived! 8:30am (on a Sunday morning – dedication defined!). We arrived at the Daily Record studios to see the Pele hair team, Mailin and Ainslie the make-up artists working their magic. It looked like a pyjama party with everyone sporting cosy housecoats and slippers, posing, straightening hair, filing nails, trying shoes or adjusting bikinis!
Carole Anne was first up in her sexy red bikini standing next to the 6ft-high Rockette 'R' donated by Geoff from PolyScot! Thanks Geoff! Paul Chappells from the Daily Record snapped away and did his best to give us the best shots. Everyone got their moment of "Check me out – I'm a bikini model" pouting glory in their individual shot and was part of two group shots. It was surreal being in a professional studio with instructions being fired at you left right and centre, "look up, look down, arm straight, stomach in, head up!" It was a long day – all this posing is hard work believe it or not, although it came naturally to some of the girls whose photos look great. I felt like a bunny rabbit in the headlights as I'm not overly fond of cameras but admittedly I am looking into a career in professional modelling now… ok, perhaps not.
When it was all over, we awaited the photos with baited breath. Carole Anne revealed them one night after training when none of us were particularly complementary of our own pictures: Kat M "Ah check ma pure skinny legs out" or Lynne, "Oooh my goodness, get that away!" Just as well we're not too sensitive a bunch because the hilarity could've ended in tears! The photos did turn out beautifully although I did feel my orange bikini blended in a bit with my ladled-on tan but it's all for a good cause eh!
So for that reason, I won't reveal the final 12 pictures. You all have to buy a calendar to find out (by following the Merchandise link on our homepage). Roll-up roll-up!!! It's for a great cause!! Do your good deed this Christmas!! Perfect stocking fillers!! Absolute bargain at just £6… or 2 for twelve quid!!! (If this dancing caper falls through come visit me at the Barras!)
Have a great 2007!
Lots of Love,
Meg xxx
|
|
