Meet the Rookie

Andy Gray | Feb 28, 2013

Natasha Barnard :: James Macari/SI

Name: Natasha Barnard

Hometown: Trichardt, South Africa

Discovered: Natasha was discovered by a modeling agency in Cape Town when she was 18-years-old.

Random Fact: Natasha loves all kinds of wildlife and plans to work with animals when her modeling career is over.

Favorite Sport: Formula 1 Racing

What Friends Call Natasha: Tash-Tash; Tashy

Favorite Music: AC/DC, 30 Seconds to Mars, Blink 182, Eminem, The Script, UB40

Pet Peeves: Liars; Bad drivers

Guilty Pleasures: Cupcakes, Toblerone, Belgian Chocolate Seashells, Macaroons

MORE ROOKIE PROFILES:Emily DiDonato | Hannah Davis

GALLERY: Natasha Barnard's 2013 Swimsuit Photos

VIDEO: Up Close With Natasha | Intimate

Follow Natasha on Twitter| Follow Natasha on Instagram

Natasha Barnard :: James Macari/SI

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Natasha Barnard :: James Macari/SI

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Natasha Barnard :: James Macari/SI

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Natasha Barnard :: James Macari/SI

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Natasha Barnard :: James Macari/SI

Click here to vote for the Dodge Rookie of the Year

MORE ROOKIE PROFILES:Emily DiDonato | Hannah Davis

GALLERY: Natasha Barnard's 2013 Swimsuit Photos

VIDEO: Up Close With Natasha | Intimate

Follow Natasha on Twitter| Follow Natasha on Instagram

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Want to learn more about Natasha? Visit her website NatashaBarnard.com. Here's an excerpt from the "About Me" section:

My father taught me three important things while growing up. One, you can have anything in life that you want; two, you just have to know what that is and three, make sure that it is what you really want, because you will get it. These three things have brought me where I am today and the reason why you are reading my “About Me” section on my very own website :) I will never take for granted how truly blessed and privileged I am, not only for my career, but for the special people in my life, who inspire me to be a better person. And no matter what happens, I will always be a small town Afrikaans girl who lives in her own little world :)I grew up in a very small town in South Africa called Witbank and I will always be very thankful for that. Not only did it make me even more determined to follow my big dreams, but it also taught me to appreciate the smaller things in life. I had a very normal childhood, filled with lots of love and laughter, with a very close family.In Primary School I dreamt of becoming a Game Ranger so that I could work with animals, but I guess life had other plans for me. I was always very quiet and shy, which is why I joined a modelling school when I was about 15 years old. I realised that modelling was something that I wanted to pursue. Today I am still a quiet person, but I have gained so much more confidence and I am very happy in my own skin.I started my modelling career after I finished High school, at the age of 18. I had to move away from home to further my career and although that was not easy for me to do, it made me stronger, independent and so much wiser. You grow up fast in the industry, but you quickly learn to stand on your own two feet. I have been very fortunate to work with many incredible people in the industry and I continue to learn more and more every day. Being a model is certainly hard work, but I have always loved a challenge ;)I will always be grateful for my parents who gave me the best upbringing I could have asked for. Without them none of this would have been possible and their support has carried me every step of the way on this crazy, complicated, sometimes scary, yet wonderful journey of mine.I am extremely patriotic about my beautiful country South Africa and even though I travel around the world, I have not yet found a place that comes close. I remember countless road trips around South Africa and many family holidays in the bush. Nothing gives me more pleasure than sitting around a fire, listening to the sounds of the animals. It’s the best sound you will ever hear, take my word for it.