Hi Bellaboo fans, I’m Yvette Duncan, and I’ll be answering all of your questions regularly for 2Cents on the hot new Bellaboo website. Please send through any questions you might have and give me your 2Cents about life, love, the up and downs we all go through… pretty much anything that’s on your mind.

Since we’ve just launched, I thought I’d write about some of my experiences. As a model, TV presenter and actor, I’ve worked in an industry that you wouldn’t call ‘normal’. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve had some amazing adventures and travelled to awesome places, but growing up can be tough enough without living in a world of ‘the beautiful people’.

A lot of people check out magazines and want to look like all of the stunning supermodels and celebrities but the reality is that these people not only have stylists, makeup artists, dieticians and personal trainers, but the photos we see in the mags are photo-shopped so they look perfect.

Perfect isn’t something that anyone can achieve and why would you? Everyone is different and each of us has characteristics that make us who we are. Whether you’re tall, short, blonde or brunette, have big ear lobes or funny toes, you are you. Working in a such a beauty-driven industry and having seen people go through a lot of situations where they question themselves and their body image, led me to www.reachout.com.au about four years ago.

It’s a website that helps young people through tough times. I got involved in the organisation because I have been through some tough times myself (haven’t we all). I wanted to be able to let people know, through my position as a VJ on MTV, that if you are going through something that you find confronting or makes you feel sad, that there are people to talk to. Whether it’s your family, friends, teachers, counsellors or a voice on the end of the phone on a help line, don’t ever feel like you are alone.

About a year and a half ago they made me an Inspire Ambassador and I’ve been hanging out with lots of guys and girls at schools and community centres around Sydney and speaking about some of my experiences and struggles and how I’ve dealt with them. Not that I’m an expert or anything, but I do want to create awareness within society that it’s ok to feel down, confused, angry or sad and if those feelings become overwhelming that there is always someone to talk to and help you.

Let me know what you think and send in some questions about anything…… Why doesn’t he like me? Want some advice on getting into the modelling and television industry? You’re not getting along with your parents and need to know why? Being outcast at school? Send me your questions, I’ll post a selection on the Bellaboo site each month.

If you want to share issues, opinions or just need to get something off your chest, email yvette 2cents@bellaboobabe.com