MODELING: THE REAL WORLD VS. THE FABRICATED WORLD

On the first show Piers Morgan hosted after taking over where Larry King Live left off, he interviewed Oprah Winfrey and one question stood out to me "How many times were you properly in love?" I had never heard anyone say it that way. Since that time he has used the word "properly" many times, in many interviews. I like it. It's a difference maker.

Aspiring models and their parents have sought out information and guidance through the years from local agencies, self proclaimed experts, and reality TV. All of which have skewed how to "properly" pursue a modeling career. It seems as of late, there is more and more out there to cause confusion, which makes it tougher and tougher for people to "properly" pursue their dreams of being a model.

We have spent the past 15 years committed to telling "The Model Truth". For many of those years we spoke out against unwarranted money being spent on modeling classes, model and talent conventions, overpriced photo shoots, website fees, comp cards, and aspiring model "packages" Over time, we realized in many cases, people didn't really want to know the truth, they would spend thousands and thousands of dollars if they thought it would bring them closer to their dream...even if it didn't.

Today we live in a SENSATIONALISED SOCIETY, one that consumes reality television shows with over the top characters, with little to no regard for other people. We also live in an INSTANT SOCIETY, people like to believe they can achieve things quickly and with little effort as possible, preferably on their own terms. The combination of these two trends are contributing to what we find a disturbing new issue for all the aspiring models out there.

TWO WORLDS HAVE EMERGED FOR MODELS: The REAL world and the FABRICATED world.

1, THE REAL WORLD- This is the place where models travel to markets where the majority of bookings happen like New York, Paris, Milan..etc. It's a world where models discipline themselves, take incredible care of their bodies, balance their education, and engage in a professional relationship with their bookers, the top clients, photographers, editors, and stylists in the world. It's an incredible world filled with knowledgeable talented people who help models navigate in one of the most powerful exciting industry's in the world- the fashion industry. To do it properly it takes time, the focus is on timing and longevity, and the best interest of the model always comes first. 

2. THE FABRICATED WORLD - This is the land of make-believe. It exists on television shows where no regard to timing, hard work, the reality of travel, working on making the model body standards, embellishing the truth, and putting models out there long before they are remotely ready.  Height, measurements, work ethic, and what it really takes are rarely discussed. Outrageous personalities and over the top conflict or heart tugging stories come before truth and reality. On top of that there are now local agencies across the country telling their models they can be booked directly from their cities to top clients without having spending time in the markets. The truth about model body standards, travel to international markets, and what it really takes to be a successful working model are not even a part of what these models are told. it's just like a fairy tale. Sounds good in theory, but that's not reality.

Last week two of our models, Lauren and Blake were over at our house spending time before they both embark on their next travel adventures as working models. Both told stories of people coming up to their parents in their communities referencing "America's Next Top Model" and wouldn't it have been cool if their daughters could have been on that show. These two young women have worked hard, achieved success, and are really out there doing it.....not pretending to do it on TV. 

The REAL modeling world and the FABRICATED modeling world could not be more different from each other. MOTHER is determined to continue to speak out and educate, showing how the REAL world is so much more inspiring, exciting, liberating, and interesting than any shallow imitation or imaginary short cut.

Real Development Takes Time

I can't begin to tell you how many inquiries we receive from aspiring models and their parents.

I observe on facebook countless girls wanting to model, constantly doing photo shoot after photo shoot, and talking about their dream to model.

I see agencies in cities across the country promising their models placement in markets like New York and Europe, shooting them and styling them and putting them out there competing with every other aspiring model out there.

In addition, there are reality shows making the entire process appear too simple, that somehow development consists of taking someone with a bit of potential, flying them to NY, styling them, putting them in designer clothes, and shooting them....or on the other extreme, modeling on a tight rope, walking on a slippery runway, or some other gimmick.

The reality is this year alone we have scouted in countless cities, malls, concerts, music festivals, dance competitions, days in days in our car, racking up our Marriott points, and have a handful of models in development to show for it. Some will make it, some won't.

We also have a small roster of girls we have been working with and tracking, some for years, some for months. We promise them and their parents to always be honest, loving, and direct. Each of them has their own path, the markets that are realistic for them, and a journey that only they have to follow. We will be with them every step of the way.

We have an invisible checklist that we go down as we develop a model. It may take months, it may take years. As Jeff says "We are in no hurry" We would MUCH rather, develop, protect, nurture, for when the time is RIGHT.

Age, height, body type, hair, skin, eyebrows, confidence, work ethic, communication skills, attitude, comfort in front of the camera, ability to walk on the runway, the reality of their lives, the reality of the parents lives, school, sports, long term goals, etc...  

We WAIT until it all aligns, the timing is right, the model is READY.

In many cases, they are not yet on our website and the test shoots we have stay right here, we tell them from day one they have to trust us and be patient. If they can't, we are not the right management team for them....they are learning in the process, we are preparing them for their future, and by the way, all the shoots, runway coaching, advice, direction, etc...is at no charge to them. The way it should be. Our team pours themselves into our models and their families and we charge them nothing for it. No modeling school, classes, workshop fees, website fees, photo shoot fees....nothing.

And then when the time comes, we introduce them to NY and the world.

"You never get a second chance to make a first impression" 

To all the aspiring models out there; Do the hard work first. Get your bodies in model shape, your skin clear, your hair healthy, your confidence strong, your mindset ready, your undertsanding of the business clear. Then shoot, not before.  And start with clean shots that are not overstyled, clean face, natural light. Don't shoot if everything isn't ready FIRST.

Don't be in a hurry. You owe yourself the best shot possible.

Good things take time.

MEAN GIRLS (AND GUYS) ARE NOT CHIC, HIP, OR COOL

I woke up this morning to my first morning news story talking about a 10 year old Illinois girl committing suicide due to be bullied at school...this epidemic seems to be growing and growing....it's heartbreaking.

I began reflecting and came to a sad realization. somewhere along the way our society has almost GLAMOURIZED tearing other people down. There are television shows built around it....girls tearing each other apart with their words on America's Next Top Model, "friends" tearing each other apart on Jersey Shore, adult women ripping each other with their words on all the "Real Housewives" series, sisters verbally attacking each other on the Kardashians....are we really surprised about this epidemic? The way these shows are spun they somehow make it look chic or cool, which couldn't be farther from the truth.

Just last week on facebook I saw a girl attacking another girls on facebook, which then led 2-3 other girls to  chime in, 33 comments later I was sickened by the nature of their comments, the threats to get in a fight at school, the cussing, all over a guy they both liked.  I couldn't believe none of their parents stepped in to correct that using a public forum is wrong, and speaking that way is just not right They thought it made themselves look cool and powerful....it made them look shallow, desperate, mean, and unhappy.

Earlier this month on our Mother facebook page a young woman made a nasty hurtful comment about models and their body types. The comment was insulting, and what unfolded was a few people attacking the entire modeling industry in a mean spirited, jealous manner....and then girls who have modeled or who have a particular body type defending their natural appearance and the ridicule they have receieved. I saved the exchange for my upcoming book. It was such an example of people somehow feeling it's okay to attack other people who happen to be different than themselves. 

I heard a quote years ago "Hurting people hurt people"  We all need to know people who attack others don't feel good about themselves. Impossible. Our role in life should be to build others up, not down.

THE BLIND LEADING THE BLIND

People deserve to know it really takes to make it in this business, how a new face should really go about things, and understand the global industry and where and how they could potentially fit in it. 

There is an art to doing it right. There are no shortcuts.

I think it's so unfortunate how all across this country in local and regional markets, there are people running modeling businesses in many variations, who don't have a clue about the big picture of the industry. They buy into gimmicks, trust the wrong people, and in the long run, misguide and in most cases, overcharge aspiring models and their families.

It's just wrong.

Makes me sad.

I believe this book will make a difference and hopefully help a lot of people.

Determined to be finished by the end of the year....so excited!

Parents Always Ask "Is this What I Think It is? Do They Make Money Selling Lots of Kids?" Trust Your Gut

We have been overwhelmed with inquiries since the Good Morning America and Primetime Nightline aired and with Jeff in Paris with the girls winding up shows, I am back home holding down the fort. Without our intern for a few days, I became the person who goes through all email submissions.

It seems obvious one of those companies who comes through town must be in the St Louis area, selling a weekend to "be discovered" because I have had so many parents ask our opinion about such things. Interestingly I have heard these questions from parents from kids who aren't tall enough yet, old enough yet, one girls still has braces, another needs to work on her body, and yet this company is selling them packages to be seen by agencies in October (for $800)

I  am realizing the two biggest common mistakes aspiring models and their parents make: 1) Listening and trusting the wrong people 2) Pursuing things too soon when they aren't in model shape, are too young, haven't done their homework about the industry, and/or haven't cleared up their skin, grown in over-tweezed eyebrows, etc...

SO....trust your gut, YES, they make their money selling hundreds of people for each city. People will tell me their child has been "SELECTED" but the reality is you've been "SOLD". Even if someone has potential, if they are not ready, they will got lost in the shuffle, and it's like throwing money down the drain. THERE IS A BETTER WAY.

For over 15 years I have felt very passionate about helping aspiring models and their parents understand the business and to help guard them against the predatory companies selling them unnecessary classes, expensive shoots, giant model conventions, weekend scouting events, and outrageous website fees.

After our recent turn of events, we are now more determined than ever to be the voice and help educate people through our website. Stay tuned...

One more time, TRUST YOUR GUT. If you're asking if things are unnecessary and too much money, you already know the answer...