Naomi Campbell will be tough judge on The Face

Naomi Campbell has been giving out ''tough love'' on 'The Face'.

The supermodel will be a strict mentor on her new TV show - where she sits on the panel alongside former 'America's Next Top Model' judge Nigel Barker and top models Karolina Kurkova and Coco Rocha - and has promised not to go soft on the crop of aspiring fashion models.

She told OK! magazine: ''I'm definitely sergeant major! I'm the mentor that is tough love. I tell them when things are not right and I don't believe you should sugar-coat anything.

''I want these girls to have as much understanding and authenticity from myself as what's going to be out there in the real world of modelling. But I do give praise to my girls too.''

However, the programme - which will be aired on the same network as Tyra Banks' flagship show 'ANTM' - was emotionally taxing on the statuesque beauty as she had no idea she would become so invested in the girls' lives.

Naomi sighed: ''It was such an emotional journey. I had no idea it would be like this but about the fourth or fifth day it, it hit me!

''I'm not a shrink but I felt like one. I had to be there to hear everything about there girls, like their family history, their background, their tragedies, their ups and downs. I felt very sympathetic to their stories.''

The 42-year-old star is convinced 'The Face' will find the next big fashion star with all the qualities and confidence necessary to become a household name and says she is looking for someone exactly like herself.

Naomi explained: ''Were looking for someone who catches your eye, has drive, passionate, can take direction. Someone who walks into the room and takes your breath away. So yes, we are looking for a supermodel like myself. They have to believe in themselves.''