Ireland's top model Thalia Heffernan announced she is moving to New York to try to crack the states after signing with a top model agency.
The move has been a long time coming for the leading model, who had planned to move in 2020 after impressing IMG Models – whose clients include Gigi and Bella Hadid, Kate Moss, and Hailey Bieber.
Taking to social media to announce her leaving day has finally arrived, she said: “If you’ve been here long enough, you might remember I was in the States just before Covid and I signed with IMG over there.”
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“It was an amazing moment for me, and I really hoped to have gotten over sooner but then Covid happened and the world ended. But here we are now, and it might be two, three years later but I am going to New York in the morning.
The 27-year-old added: “I don’t have a timeline on it necessarily so I don’t really know when I’m going to be back. It’ll probably be around Christmas time.”
The Dubliner said she has no idea how long she'll be away for as she said an emotional goodbye to her boyfriend, former Dancing With The Stars dancer Ryan McShane, and her beloved dogs.
The model admitted her heart felt ‘broken into a million pieces’ as she discussed leaving her loved ones behind to follow her dream in the states.
She said: “Ry has work in Dublin and is also very committed to being a dog dad to our babes for now.
“Ry and I both felt it was far too much for the boys to bring them over when at the minute I still need to find my feet over there.
“Although my heart is broken into a million pieces, I know Ry and his family will take the best care of them and Ry will be coming out to visit me when he can.”
Ryan posted a touching tribute to her ahead of her departure, saying: “From us three to you, be you, be true, and know you’re loved. Never a goodbye, but we will see you soon.”
Thalia responded: “I was so proud I managed to get through that set of stories without tears but this has set me straight off again.”
She also wished anyone else making the move to the Big Apple good luck, as she opened up on her struggle to find somewhere to live stateside.
“Oh. It’s been a journey. Up until 11 last night, I had nowhere to live for my first few weeks. Thankfully I’ve had some amazing help and we got there in the end but yeah. Good luck to everyone in the same boat.”
Fans and famous friends flocked to wish her well as she prepares to set off on her journey, with one writing: “You’ll be that supermodel I said you’d be !! pave the way.”
Another penned: “Bon Voyage you Superstar”.
Thanking those for their support, she added: “It’s been a tough road to get here but I often think how excited and proud my younger self would be if she knew where we were now and it makes it all worthwhile.
“All your gorgeous messages of support are making it a lot easier too. Thank you.”
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