AN OSWESTRY beauty queen is well on her way to a new stage in her career become a film star.

April Luong, with roots in Whittington and now lives near Pant, is set to represent Shropshire in the Miss Galaxy UK competition in 2021 but in the meantime, has been cast in a feature film.

She says she is set to perform her own stunts in the horror film – Night Explorers: The Asylum – playing a character called Claire, and explained how it came about.

"I had a casting from my agent Donna Whelan at T-ypo Talent Agency," she said.

"It was a very quick turnaround; I was sent a script to learn for my audition piece which I had to self record – because of Covid – and send back to my agent the next day.

"The week before I had a request casting for the role of Julia in Rebel Wilson's new film The Almond and the Seahorse.

"I got down to the final round but was ultimately unsuccessful. I was up against a lot of other actresses for the role of Claire so I tried not to get my hopes up and just focussed on being grateful for these incredible opportunities.

"I trained in Theatre Studies at Aberystwyth University but it has always been my life's goal to be on screen and transition into Film and T.V.

"When I found out that I got the part I couldn’t believe it. I felt so elated. I was just so happy.

"All of my preparation and hard work throughout the two lockdowns was finally paying off.

"It didn’t seem real; I still had to pinch myself even up until I arrived on set! I was literally living the life of my dreams."

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A newcomer to the environment, April says she has received plenty of help and support from her new workmates.

She added: "Everyone was extremely welcoming and super kind and supportive towards me for my first day on set.

"The director, the producers and the crew are all insanely talented in their respective fields and I am in complete awe of them!

"I particularly bonded with my co-star Algina Lipskis, an established screen actress who plays Emma in the film.

"She is the most loving and generous person who took me under her wing and helped me get my bearings with this new format.

"I am learning so much and don’t want this journey to end."