WALK LIKE AN EGYPTIAN

More than two centuries ago, following Napoleon's quest to conquer Egypt in 1797, an insurgence of Egyptomania began spreading across Europe. The rest of the world soon followed. Often described as "a remote vast desert land scarcely populated by exotic people amidst monumental ruins half covered in the sand of times at the banks of a mystical river whose unexplored source was deep in the heart of a primitive continent", it's no wonder that Egypt became the inspiration of many for artistic imagery. From literature, art, music to film, no stone was left unturned when it came to the aesthetic impact by Egypt.

Over the past decades, box office hits such as "The Ten Commandments" (1956), "Cleopatra" (1963), "The Mummy" (1999) and "The Mummy Returns” (2001) and "The Scorpion King" (2003) captivated audiences with their breath-taking cinematography, and elaborate costumes. Attributing to the success of these films was also the undeniably sizzling onscreen chemistry between the leads. While men everywhere coveted for the seductive wiles of Anne Baxter, Elizabeth Taylor and Rachel Weisz, women on the other hand swooned over the rugged virility of Charleston Heston, Richard Burton and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.

Today, the fascination for Egypt and all things Egyptian still exists. Just ask Manhunt Singapore 2013 finalist Khye Norello. The 24 year old freelance personal trainer confesses to being a great fan of Egypt's ancient history and mythology. Besides taking an interest in documentaries featuring the pyramids, tombs and other artefacts and relics of the beautiful, exotic country, the young Egyptomaniac also counts "The Scorpion King" as one of his favourite films.

Raving about his envy of the hulking tattooed physique of its WWE-turned-male-lead, Khye too shows off his very own majestic tattoo of "The Eye of Ra" emblazoned across his chest. Dating back to olden times when it was incorporated onto royal and divine headdresses as protectors of gods and kings, Khye handpicked this to be his very first tattoo back when he was 16, specifically for its symbolic significance of power and royalty.

With his bad-boy looks, and as many as sixteen tattoos adorning his 70kg ripped physique, it's easy to see why this 1.75m modern day "Prince of Egypt" has been touted as one of the hot favourites in this year's pageant. Now, the only question remains whether would he ascend to the throne of the pageantry stage. Only the sands of time could tell.

Photos Credit:

Beam Artistes Pte Ltd (www.beam.com.sg),
Photography by Barry Seah Photography
PPi :: Print | Photography | Ideas
(http://ppideas.wix.com/ppideas
https://www.facebook.com/barry.seahphotography)
The Makeover Inc.
(http://www.themakeoverinc.com.sg/index.htm
https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Makeover-Inc/145085108885779)