Her body art got her noticed - and also earned her a passport to Round 2 of The New Paper New Face 2012 competition.
Cherry Ju, a 21-year old of Chinese and Korean descent, sports five tattoos - on her back, arms, neck and ankle.
She told The New Paper: "I like my tattoos and I feel that they make me memorable as a person."
The student of fashion also believes that tattoos should not be associated with gangsters, adding: "We're modern. Tattoos can be nice as well. To me, they are an art form."
The feisty young woman is in fact learning how to be a tattoo artist, and revealed that the markings around her left ankle were done by herself.
One of the New Face 2012 judges, Mr Dollah Jaafar, creative director in Singapore Press Holdings' Marketing Division, said: "Being quirky and different may make you stand out.
"Some girls may not have the 'symmetrical' model face, but they have proven that they stand out in other ways and impress us.
"Of course, we're not discounting the girl-next-door beauty."
Another contestant who left a deep impression with her unique style was Marie Soh, a 22-year-old nurse and make-up artist who ended up becoming the runway show "special effects" of the day at the walk-in auditions.
The "hair chameleon", who first went blonde about two months back, has also dyed her hair pink, ombre and now sports a green-blue hue.
And for that, she got the judges' green light.
The bubbly woman revealed: "Dyeing my hair is something I want to try while I'm still young.
"Wouldn't it be weird if I wanted it when I'm in my 30s or older?"
When asked if she thought her tresses were the main thing that got her through to Round 2, Soh squealed: "I hope it's my face and not just my hair.
"I mean, (the competition) is called New Face after all."
This article was first published in The New Paper.
