MEL CORNELIUS

MELISSA TANITA CORNELIUS, a young South African born Commercial model, who entered onto the scene with beauty pageants. Having always been comfortable in front of the camera, Melissa was encouraged by many to sign with an agency. She was first signed with Topco in 2009, at the age of 15 years old, and later moved to Twenty Model Management and is now part of the Mainboard division. Here’s where she landed her major campaigns, such as clothing store windows, VAWTER commercial, Close-Up Toothpaste, Mastercard & Standard Bank commercials Toyota Hybrid Commercials. Melissa also has some global campaigns under the belt, which includes the Jameson Orange, Catle Lite Beer (on screen now) and Michelin Tyres Campaigns. While her local e-commerce shoot for Old Khaki & Pep are her return clients, she has also engaged in shoots for international brands such as Om & Ah (London), LIDL retail chain company (Germany) and Poland Underwear Store windows. 
She is an animal lover, who doesn’t mind getting her hands dirty, yet an absolute girly-girl! Mel is passionate about make-up, Skin care and Health&Wellness, and she is often the one who is styling her friends and family. Her other interests include life’s more serious rallies, like Early Childhood Development and Bullying – both of which she has been involved in community drives and public campaigns of awareness.
Melissa has spent some of her free time volunteering at the Haven Night Shelter, as well as volunteering at various Animal Shelters, which is where she found her beloved Blu-boy, who is the latest addition to her household of three dogs.  She offered her time while studying BA Psychology, full time. She graduated a triple major in psychology, sociology and linguistics in 2016. These volunteer missions became a part of her, and she hasn’t stopped since.
The last born to a family of five, Melissa spent most of her days with her two older siblings. Later became an aunty to two nieces and a nephew who all adore her immensely – the cool aunt, of course!

We hope you enjoyed learning more about our wonderful daughter, sister, dog mom, fiance' and friend, and trust that you’re inspired by Melissa’s confidence, and encouraged by her bravery.​​​