Joey Mead-King • Pose & PAWS

MANILA, Philippines - If the phrase “more than just a pretty face” grew limbs and walked down a runway, it would probably call itself Joey Mead-King. And by doing so, it would also be an understatement.

Joey’s resume reads like an elite cable channel catalogue. She has worked internationally as host for cable giants Channel [V], AXN, ESPN and HBO in the past. She’s also a model, and this intersection of fashion and entertainment made her a perfect addition to Asia’s Next Top Model, the Asian spin-off of Tyra Bank’s successful reality TV show.

As a model mentor on the show, Joey gives the contestants tips on how to pose, carry themselves and ultimately become the top model they all aspire to be. And in a world that loves to portray top-caliber, veteran models as black-hearted divas, Joey defies popular stigma by leaving an indelible mark as the charming, chatty mentor who understands — not just what she’s talking about — but what the contestants are going through as well. She looks, not just at her protégé’s best assets, but her limitations, as well.

For a woman who seems to have mile-long legs, Joey surprisingly ticks the tape at a modest 5’8,” a little shorter than the international standards for female models. “I had always attended castings for fashion festivals during my modeling days in Singapore. Alas, I am two inches shorter and would never be booked in them, with the exception of some Kenzo and Armani shows (which I know, I got thanks to my personality).”

This “shortage” in height relegated her to be no more than what she calls the proverbial “bridal gal,” or the “lifestyle model.” It also brought her further away from her dream of walking at the Audi Fashion Week, which puts a premium on height requirements. “This never fazed me…I knew my strengths and vowed to myself that if I can’t walk, I’ll host one of those Audi fashion shows.”

Still, the small screen and catwalks are not the be-all and end-all for this lady, who also happens to be a dedicated animal activist. “As a kid in Australia, we had several dogs. Due to my many years of living as a gypsy from one country to another, I was unable to have a home for a pet. I just feel pain for homeless animals. How I wish I could care for them all,” she admits.

Needless to say, this Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) advocate uses her celebrity status to educate people on how important it is to treat animals, in general (and not just their pets), with compassion. She, herself, is the proud caretaker of nine cats and three dogs. “All spayed and neutered,” she adds proudly.

For a woman who has made a living by posing in front of the camera, Joey sure knows how to keep things real. She walks the talk, both as a model and as a person, knowing that in the end, it’s what’s inside that would always matter most. “A woman’s strength, her experience through pain and laughter, and the wisdom she learned and earned — that makes a woman alluring,” she concludes.

Photography by MAU AGUASIN • Creative direction by LUIS ESPIRITU JR. • Styling by BANG MARTINEZ • Makeup by FATIMA RABAGO • Hairstyling by DAVE LOPEZ • Clothes by RAJO LAUREL • Jewelry by MILADAY JEWELS • Shot on location at SOLAIRE RESORT & CASINO’s CHAIRMAN’S VILLA