Who will walk the runway during New York Fashion Week and win $20,000? You decide.
Valmy Awasom
Must finish first in their group to advance to the Semifinals.
Voting for this round ends on August 28, 2026 at 10:00 PM EDT
About Valmy Awasom
Cameroonian-born entrepreneur, founder of Hillight, and storyteller passionate about design, culture, and intentional living. I blend luxury, faith, and authenticity to create experiences that inspire people to live authentically.
Learn More About Valmy Awasom
What makes you the Next Runway Star?
What makes me the next runway star is that I represent the courage to believe it is never too late to become who you once dreamed of being. Walking the runway has been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember. But growing up, cultural expectations encouraged me to pursue a more traditional and secure path, so I chose education and built a successful career as a Program Manager in the space industry. I am incredibly proud of that journey, but the dream of modeling never disappeared. Now, in my 40s, I am choosing to make room for that dream. I bring more than a look to the runway, I bring confidence earned through experience, discipline built through achievement, and the presence of a woman who knows who she is. I want to represent women who have spent years building careers, caring for others, and meeting expectations, but still have dreams waiting for their turn. This is mine. In my 40s, I am not too late. I am right on time and ready for the runway.
What would this once in a lifetime experience mean to you and why?
This lifetime opportunity would mean giving myself permission to finally pursue a dream I once believed I had to put aside. For years, I followed the path that was expected of me earning my education, building a successful career, and creating a life I am proud of. But somewhere along the way, I learned that success does not require us to abandon the dreams that once made us come alive. In my 40s, walking the runway would be more than a modeling opportunity; it would be a full-circle moment. It would be proof that dreams do not have expiration dates and that reinvention can happen at any age. I want the woman who thinks she is too old, too established, or too far down another path to see me and reconsider what is still possible for her. This opportunity would allow me to fulfill a dream, but more importantly, to represent the beauty, confidence, and power of becoming who you were always meant to be on your own timeline.
What are you most proud of about yourself or what have you overcome and why?
I am most proud of having the courage to bet on myself. After building a successful career, I ventured into entrepreneurship and founded Hillight, a luxury home fragrance brand that allows me to tap into a creative side of myself that I had not fully explored. Entrepreneurship has been one of the most challenging yet rewarding journeys of my life because every milestone represents faith, resilience, and the willingness to build something from the ground up. Hillight is also deeply personal.My mother’s journey as a breast cancer survivor inspired me to be intentional about the products we bring into our homes and ultimately inspired the creation of a clean home fragrance line in her honor. One of my proudest moments was seeing Hillight products carried by Salamander Resort, one of the country’s premier luxury resorts.I am proud that I took an experience that impacted my family, combined it with my creativity, and turned it into something beautiful that can bring light into people homes.
What would you do with the $20,000 cash prize?
I would use the $20,000 to continue betting on myself. A significant portion would be invested into growing Hillight, the home fragrance and lifestyle brand I founded, by expanding our reach, strengthening our marketing, and creating new opportunities to introduce the brand to more people. I would also invest in this new chapter of my life, pursuing modeling with intention. From professional development and building my portfolio to putting myself in rooms and opportunities I once only dreamed about, I would use the prize to give this dream a real chance. Most importantly, the $20,000 would represent more than money. It would be an investment in possibility. In my 40s, I am building a business, pursuing a lifelong dream, and continuing to discover what I am capable of. I want to look back on this season knowing that when opportunity came, I had the courage to use it to build the life I imagined.
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