My sister writes about her experience auditioning for America’s Next Top Model.
by Kat
“All women want to be beautiful,” reveals designer Valentino. Females in all stages of their lives and careers want to be thought attractive by other people, and the ultimate test to that is becoming a model. Girls want to be recognized for their breath-taking, unique, impossible beauty – in fact, modeling & acting might just be the single most popular dream careers (32% of girls dream of modeling, 29% of acting, according to this study).
TV shows like America’s Next Top Model give us that opportunity. When I heard they were casting girls under 5’7” for it’s 13th Cycle, I decided to audition immediately. Being 4’11″ and photogenic, I thought I would be a great candidate. I figured my height would make me stand out and I could represent all the cute “shorties” out there.
Try-outs were held at the Park Central Hotel in Manhattan. ANTM 13 may have attracted more hopefuls than any other reality show yet – it felt like half the Tri-State area of the appropriate age congregated in one place! I arrived at 10:30 am, to find the line wrapping around all 4 sides of the block. The sidewalk was packed with girls of all heights, wearing outrageous outfits, crazy make-up and hair, and even a few boys! I heard one girl telling the cameras she’d been camping out by the hotel entrance for the past 2 nights; another woman (of the towering 6’0” height) drove for 8 hours from Virginia to be here. Girls you’d expect to make it were clutching their portfolio books, shivering in light coats and complaining of foot pain from high heels. At one point, the sheer concentration of gorgeous people was almost too painful for one’s eyes to handle.
And yet the line was moving excruciatingly slowly. I gave up around 2 pm (auditions were officially ending at 3 and there was no way I was getting in), but many girls stayed – if only to be seen and immediately rejected by the rigid audition which only selects 12 contestants nation-wide. I later found out from the news that the crowd became desperate, began to push and run every time the guards would let a small group inside. A bomb scare caused a riot to break out; three people were arrested and six injured. The auditions had to be shut down by the police and all hopefuls were sent home disappointed.
Knowing all this, something drove me to wake up at 6 in the morning last Saturday and go to the second audition. Expecting a similar turnout as in the first, I was pleasantly surprised by the infinitely improved organization, many more cops, and a number of new rules in place (no camping out over night, no cutting in line, only women 18-27 allowed in the area). The girls were smarter this time – dressed warm, in flats, with heels in their purses and fresh faces. The line was not even half a block long – due to the ungodly hour or because only the very dedicated made it out this time.
I didn’t make it to the first round. Neither did anyone under 5’5” for that matter (at least not in my group). ANTM was most likely looking for the tallest among the under 5’7” range, looking for girls still suitable for runway. Devon Aoki and Kate Moss are the shortest known top models – 5’5” and 5’6” respectively. Perhaps ANTM was not ready to push the boundaries just yet.
What would I have done if I got in? Being on the show would have required some serious life (read: work) changes. Although I was slightly disappointed, I was much more relieved I didn’t get in in the end.
Deerlings: if you were offered a major modeling contract, would you drop everything to take it?
Interesting…
If only I were 18 *sigh*
If the company offering the contract was Lane Bryant or Torrid, then there’s a chance I might drop everything for it. All things considered though, I’m happy enough to be able to shop in their stores and for all intents and purposes model their stuff while I’m out and about for everyday life.
It’s rather satisfying when other women want to know where my dress came from so they can find it in their size. :)
I used to dream of modeling. I had the figure, with slim to no hips, very flat just about everywhere, tiny, tiny, tiny with legs that make up the majority of my height. I was 5’7 and barely tipped the scales at 115. I began scouting and looking for contracts, and was immediately shut down because I was told that my shoulders were “too broad” and it gave me a “gawkish appearance without grace”. I was 17 at the time, and very impressionable…grace I had always thought had to do with fluid movement, not appearance. I was a professional equestrian, and you can spot anyone in our profession when we enter a room BECAUSE of an ingrained sense of balance that comes from years and years of riding a horse. So for me it seemed that I was a hopeless cause.
I’m older now, and wish I had pursued it further. I’ve got some curves now, and I’ve lost my svelte figure (seeing me roll in at a hefty 130 at the docs office earlier this month nearly put me to tears) despite a lot of training and exercise. You can’t stay tiny and underdeveloped forever without doing serious harm to yourself. But at the same time, I’m glad I didn’t get in to modeling. I enjoy a life of freedom and eating Burger King when I want. I love doing my yoga, and peaceful meditation, but most of all I don’t miss those 3 months of constantly worrying about my weight and appearance, being so hyper sensitive. If ANTM were to offer me a chance to win, I most likely would turn them down. I don’t need a judge, an audience, and the entire nation to critique me and decide whether or not I’m pretty enough. I am beautiful just as I am, and so long as my fiance continues to think I’m the most beautiful girl in the world, I’m content.
No!
It’s a very demanding job and I wouldn’t want to be told what to eat or that I constantly need to lose weight. Over the weekend I was watching Bravo’s Make Me A Supermodel and they told one of he models that she needed to lose weight. One designer at the Go-See she went to doesn’t book models with hips bigger then 35 inches. She’s almost 6 feet tall and not overweight by any means. I’m petite and my hips are 37…35 really? WTF.
If you happen to be lucky and have the perfect model body and height and don’t have to do much to stay that way it’s great but you need to have rock solid self esteem since you get criticized all the time.
I’m glad they are letting shorter wantabe models on the show but I knew they wouldn’t go shorter then 5′.5″.
I used to model when I was in high school. I had a slim size 5 figure (surprise!) I’m also Mexican, and even at a 5 I had some hips. What hurt the most though was that I was in year 7 of braces. And even though I had the look, my braces stopped me from getting out there, and people would be mean and say that I couldn’t go as far as I wanted (I did get commercials though, but was convinced my braces made me ugly). But I stopped modeling for college.
Now, I’m a 10 (thank you college) but I’m more hippier than I was in high school. I understand that, but even still, I have been stopped by modeling companies, and my cousin’s private agent to do commercial work. I have gladly told them no. I’m happy with teaching, I love to teach, I love seeing those light bulbs turn on in all my students eyes. I wouldn’t give them up if I had to. I’m trying to educate the future of our world and I’m taking this role seriously. I do wish to be back in that role again, but even if I do, my career as a teacher is over. My face to noticeable, and I may be in non appropriate attire that the students may pass around and give to parents who may or may not, get upset. Yes, I may be looking to hard into this, but I just want to play it safe in something I feel passionate about.
Yes, I would! I hope to do that very soon, actually. I have an audition with a magazine coming up in June. I’m very excited!
wow….very interesting…where i live there’s a tv channel that shows ANTM every afternoon,from it’s first season. I have ,too, been indulged by the life of a top model and the confidence they inspire!
I have a cousin who used to be a top model in Greece and have also worked abroad and now works as a fashion photographer for the best fashion magazines!!!
I see it as a step to a very creative carreer but i cant help but think that i could not do it…because i am too insecure about my body sometimes…i do know that i am photogenic and my cousin insists that i should be a photo model but i am too self conscious and it shows, at times…
Although…i would love to be a photographer, or even better an art director…that would be my dream carreer i think…
ps: i am blown away by the editorials of korean vogue!! can i please design the scene and pick the clothes for them??? that would be a dream come true!!!
I cried. When I found out that it was a short girl season, I realized I missed the audition day they held in Miami…the day before….
I’m excited to see the new season though. :D Yay for short girls!
I was incredibly disappointed that the one year I am eighteen and can actually audition for America’s Next Top Model, they are doing it for short people that can’t even model anyway. I mean, honestly. They make clothing in certain sizes for a reason, because taller, skinnier people model clothing better.
I think this entry was funny. I REALLY doubt you would’ve ever been chosen, even if they did get a chance to see you. You aren’t quite….what they’re looking for. :P
I’ve jumped on the limecrime hate train. Sorry…It had to happen sooner or later.
I’d go for it if it came here. But the truth is that as hard as I’d want to get into this world I wouldn’t want to go on the runways (I’m to short), I just love photosessions…
And probably I could do it on my own without an agency behind me…
But… you never know, maybe one day.. soon :D
I was really expecting to read that you’d made it on the show by the end of this post, you have such a wonderful look!
I’ll just share this since I’m new to your blog: I’ve done some modeling, plus worked in the fashion industry for years – lots of fun in both areas. Long long ago (ha!), I was offered 2 contracts, both of which I turned down and I’m glad. By then I was already a mother – I was afraid of the influence it might have on my daughter. But I will have you know I am only 5’4″ and over 30 – and I am still asked to model on a very rare occasion, which is very flattering and I mostly say yes. :)
No, never – apart from the fact that I don’t meet the physical requirements to be a model, it has never been my dream either. Acting is a different story though – I most certainly would drop everything else if I was ever given the chance to sing the leading role in Phantom of the Opera!!
Ooops, just notice the website link on my name is wrong. Fixed!
I can’t imagine prying myself away from my business for that long. It’d have to be one hell of a contract ;P
Haha, so you did go! It sucks you didn’t make it, I bet you would have been awesome. Oh wait, we already know you’re awesome! We don’t need a show to tell us that. <3
BTW, I’m looking forward to seeing Kat’s portfolio continue to grow. She looks great as a model.
Aw, Doe, it’s too bad you didn’t get on, I would have watched the show just to see you on there; i’m sure you would have made it fun!
I think modeling could be fun, getting all dolled up, but I wouldn’t be able to handle the loosing weight! I’m already very slim (at 5’6” and 107 lbs) but i love eating! I doubt that would go over so well ha ha!
i used to model when i was at University, not runway, mainly magazine work. the worst thing about it is that weight restriction is just a minor way of how they get to you. i thought it will be fun and profitable and i ended up in debt to the agency, nearly with a nose job and a serious eating disorder. i never knew a girl who wasn’t in the same boat, and that includes a few pretty well-known names (maybe not anymore, it was about 10 yers ago). if i could make those decisions again, knowing what i know, not in a million years.
And Kat, thank goodness you got out of there before that riot! That sounds pretty wild. At least the next day was more civilized, no?
HELL YES!!! :D
I have absolutely no chance of ever becoming a model (I’m not ugly, but not really gifted with beauty or slimness genes either), but it has always been a secret dream of mine…I have seriously thought of becoming a MUA or a wardrobe stylist just to get a glimpse of that beautiful world but…I don’t think that could be my future either! :(
But I can still hope to have a cute photographer as boyfriend and model for him sometimes, right? :D
Your are so beautiful I’m so shocked they didn’t pick you.
As far as your question would I drop everything for a modeling contract? I think I’m a pretty girl but I’m not a doll, I would have to be one of those models that try extra hard vs. the ones that have it all in one package. So no, I would not drop everything for a modeling contract.
I dream of becoming a model. I think I would have if the industry didn’t require stick-thin people. I’m a little overweight but I have a healthy amount… just not as slim as I’d like to be.
I also have issues fitting in clothing I’m broad and disproportionate in the rest of my body.
My actual waist is okay, but my stomach, thighs, and shoulders give me problems.
I love fashion, but I don’t dress like I do. I love comfy clothing and being comfortable in general.
not really I’d loose so much freedom. I feel too comfortable with myself to have people telling me to be a “certain” way all the time. I’m normal weight but I know how pushy they can be about what you eat if they let you eat at all. And I don’t like that modeling agencies and organizations are usually the ones who tend to set the standards for what beauty is. For example the “being too short” problem. The standards they set for beauty are so rediculous that they make %99 (or more) of all the rest of the female population feel inferrior when infact most women are beautiful but in their own different ways because we dont all come out of one “modeling industry standard mould.” Now I’ll admit its human nature to appreciate the asthetic (artistis of course) and I appreciate it as well, but I would not give up my other goals or desires in life to persue an existance that completely revolved around my looks being asthetically apealing to others. But then again I have never dreamed of being a model or actress it simply has never appealed to me. I’m happy so long as at the end of the day I know who I am and am happy the way I am.
I don’t think I’d drop everything for it, no. If I had a chance to do it to make some extra money, I probably would – but I’m super short (5’2″ or so) and a size 8 or 10, so there’s no way. I think it would be fun to do photo shoots, but there’s not a big demand for short curvy models with tattoos and multicolored hair, so ;)
FYI: the article is not by me, it’s by my sister Kat! :)
Sucks that she didn’t get through, your sister is gorgeous.
I don’t think I’d be able to drop everything to take up a modelling career, but it’s always fun to pose in front of the camera, and I’m sure every girl has at least once come up with her own signature runway walk. I’m happy with getting all dressed up and doing professional(and even amature) photo shoots to put up on my walls. If people compliment me on them, that’s just a bonus. ^_^
Yeah I saw it said written by Kat after I posted haha.. she should have been accepted! You both have a great look. Oh well, I am sure we will continue to see great images from her with or without Top Model.
No way would I drop everything….You can’t rely on your looks forever to get you through life….Life is way to short and there are more things to enjoy and have fun in life with….Being professionally made up and photographed once in a while would be a blast and I would totally enjoy it…..
I’d love to be photographed. But honestly, I don’t think modeling is for me. I agree with Krista that life’s just too short and that there’s so much more fun out there. Most models don’t last past 30 (unless you’re Cindy Crawford…and how often do you see her around?) Gisele is slowly dimming out. You also gotta ask yourself how much actual respect do these models get? People often don’t realise that a model is an artist too. It’s hard work coming up with those poses, enduring shooting bikini catalogues in the winter, being constantly criticized for your outter appearance. One week you’re schedule is full, the next, it may not be. It’s not easy.
No. I wouldn’t want my entire career to be focused on my body. I would be so worried that I would gain weight, or hurt myself, or something, and that I would lose the job, and have to start over form scratch. I might be a bit biased though, since modeling is nothing more than an idle day dream for me, and my real ambitions in that domain lie in photography.
I’ve always wondered. I take a lot of pictures of myself, and they are a hobby but I work hard on it, always looking for ideas (make-up, clothes, poses) and always trying to improve my photos…
Still, when I think about being a model…. I guess I just wouldn’t. It does not fit me.
I want to be a psychologist. I wouldn’t trade that for anything.
It’s a career that, in my country, is pretty hard. My teacher said we’ll take longer than 3 years to make 500$ a month…
But that’s what I love!
I don’t have to model to the world if I can model to myself.
In the end it doesn’t really matter what people think of my pictures but being able to look at myself and say: Hey! I look pretty good here!
Of course I like when I get complimented for a picture I took… like I said, I work hard to improve them, not having any skills or knowledge…
Still, I don’t think I’d feel the same if someone else did the job.
And, wow, I must say I found the riot very scary! O.O”’
by the way, it’s a shame you didn’t get in! ^^ You are stunning! I’ve seen you in model mayhem once and just thought “WOW”!
Really??? u were not picked :( would of been cool seeing Doedeere in TV every week, and i don’t watch TV often, aww but yes i would do it, I was into modeling more in high school and would go to the open calls for America Models Search, and they would have major agents, like Ford, etc, but i would never get calls back after that , lol i was “short” to them, i am 5’6, so yeah i can see why, but if i was offered a modeling contract i would do it, would i drop it all? NO
i would balance my life because modeling would not be all for me.❤
I would definitely drop everything and take the modeling contract. You only live once.
It’s disappointing to hear that ANTM didn’t go all the way with their short model theme. I think some of the most interesting models are short. Raquel, Audrey, Kess, Zui and not to mention, Mosh. =)
Oh I just saw this was written by your sister. Well, she has gorgeous look, too.
And the link that goes with my name was wrong, all better now. I wonder if anyone else looks at those? I look at them…
I would never. I have always been involved in the industry doing one thing or another, from make-up, to hair to stylist and during my FIT years as designer’s assistant and being a model is more hype then anything else. The hours, the pressure, being judged every second. As glamourous as it looks, the Kate Moss’s, Naomi Campbell’s, Tyra Banks, etc are really not the majority when it comes to the business.
I prefer to continue working in the background making all the pretty girls and boys look prettier. :-)
I wouldn’t drop everything for a contract. I think modeling does have a romantic, artistic appeal to me, but in order to pursue such a career you can’t really have anything else in your life. That concept is way too single minded for me. There’s so much more to life!
When I was around 17 and 18 years old I wanted to be a model, I went to some shoots and I love having these pictures of myself now though I kind of gave up the dream because I was a few cm short from the ideal height, I’m 165 cm (5’5).
But now I’m almost 22 and I’ve been working a bit in the fashion industry (studying fashion design) and basically I still like it when people compliment my body/figure because I’m basically like a little boy which the fashion industry loves but I just hate the way most fashion houses treat models. They totally bow to known models like Coco Rocha and Jessica Stam but when it comes to fitting models who have to stand for maybe 8 hours straight and are treated like shit and talked down to, blah… it’s a vision of the glamorous world you don’t want to see.
But I have to admit, when I was working in Paris at one fashion house the creative director didn’t have a fitting model and I fitted some clothes for him in front of the designer, it was totally some kind of a compliment. But after been a fitting model a few times for when I was doing my own 2nd year show… blah, not fun. I got tired after minutes of standing and most fitting models stand for hours! And I wanted to work on my own stuff, not be a fitting model for my classmates!
So I think being a fashion designer is more me :)
Actually, no, I wouldn’t drop everything. Besides the fact that I don’t want to be a model (that’s a pretty big factor…), I would be very skeptical about my ability and appeal. I’m neither tall nor thin, I’m more awkward than graceful, I don’t have a huge interest in fashion, I don’t consider myself very photogenic…basically, everything that one would need to be a good model, I don’t think I have.
But besides all of that, modelling, for most girls, seems to be a somewhat temporary career which doesn’t even pay that much (unless you make it big). I certainly wouldn’t drop everything that I’m doing right now, namely laying the foundations for a hopefully successful and secure future (I’m at university, hoping to go to law school afterwards).
Even if I ended up being a successful model, I don’t think a career based on physical looks would last me a lifetime, so I’d probably end up being down and out at 40 (or 30?) and wishing I’d carried on with my studying…
So the answer for me is no :) but I wish the best of luck to everyone out there who wants to be a model.
I still love watching ANTM, though :) (and the British series)
Simone
x
Well first off, they’d never pick me (I’m 5’3 and wear a size 7-9). But I’ve never really had the desire to model professionally anyway. I think it would be fun to have a photoshoot or something, but not as a career. I wouldn’t enjoy the lifestyle and I wouldn’t like being told what to do. I’m more laid back and would probably get homesick.
It’s a shame your sister didn’t get picked. They obviously don’t know true beauty when they see it. Well she’s probably better off not getting in the middle of all the ANTM drama anyway. I love watching the show, just not too sure I’d wanna be a part of it. =)
That’s rotten! What’s the point of having a short-cycle of ANTM if they’re only going to take the tallest of the short?
I would have tried out myself, but I really didn’t appreciate the way they treated the gorgeous alternative model a few cycles back.
Katia,
I would totally take it if I were offered that opportunity! I would hate to pass up that chance and then spend the rest of my days thinking, “coulda, shoulda, woulda??” Plus why live a life full of regrets, right? I think if you are ready to take that leap of faith then, you should do it! If you are not ready then, it’s okay! At least you now know what was expected and the process of finding a model. I wish you all the best in everything that you do. I have seen your pics and I know you will make a wonderful model.
Ah, as someone also in the under 5′ crowd I was wondering if they were willing to go that short.
I don’t think I would want to be a professional model with a contract and strict schedule but I’m content being a casual model and doing artsy shoots once in a while.
When I was a bit younger, I wanted to be a model. I’ve always been quite slender and at almost 5’10” I would’ve met the requirements. I was offered a contract in a decent modelling agency but after the go-see I realized that I would have to give up so many things that make me me. Like eating.
BTW, getting a contract is hard work and most of the time it can be pretty gruelling. I was told that my butt is too big (and this is when I weighed about 112 pounds) and I was told to lose weight. In modelling, everything is about the way you look. And this is the reality of the industry. Your body and your face are your working tools and you have to be prepared even to sacrifice your health or personal style in order to please your agency and clients. And trust me when I say that the people in modelling agencies are not ashamed to be very blunt with you! I think I was spared a lot of things when I decided not to pursue a career in modelling. You have to be a very strong person to be able to handle the critique and that life style. And only a handful of girls ever become a superstar like Gisele.
Nope. Being in my early 20s, I’d only have a few more good years in me before I’d be officially washed up.
I have too much going for me back home.
I’d do it, but I doubt anyone would take me. Especially that show. I’m 5’7″, around 200 lbs. My measurements are 44-33-44. I’m mathematically perfect, but I wouldn’t get anywhere, I’m sure. Plus, what isn’t my curves is just muscle. I don’t think they’d like me.
But, I think in the end that’s okay. I prefer being a pin-up model as opposed to runway (And I’m one of the few people I know who can run in any sort of heel).
I’ve heard a LOT of horror stories about the ANTM tryouts, even an article (on lj) about a girl who made it, got to the point where Tyra was around picking people out, and just how fake everyone is, and how staged the whole deal is. It looks like fun to me, but I’d rather not go through the show.
I’d also not drop my life for modeling even though if I were taller, I’d like to think I’d be able to do it. like Emily Nicole, I think being a pin-up retro model would be more fun anyways. It seems like too much pressure otherwise, and there’s too many things in my life that I wouldn’t give up.
The only reason I’d do it would be for the free clothes! Not that I’m the right shape for them anyway – way too short at 5’2, with hips and boobs too.
I think the average model (those that aren’t supermodels) probably has a pretty rough deal in reality. Most don’t make all that much money and their careers are pretty short.
Of course having said all that, if for some strange reason someone did say ‘ok, we’re going to take a few photos of you looking gorgeous in great clothes and pay you a lot of money for it, would I say no? I don’t think so!!
Oh, I really hope that they do end up taking someone under 5’5″ this season.
When I heard they were doing a ‘short girl’ season,’ I got so excited! After reading this, however, I find myself slightly disappointed.
Among other reasons, Katia takes such beautiful photographs. She deserved to at least be looked at for this.
As for giving up my life for it.. It would take some serious consideration before I could drop everything for a [CASUAL] modeling career. But in the end, I think I would do it. I wouldn’t want it to be my full-time job though, as I love to make other people beautiful much more than myself.
My life is nothing but makeup and shoes. I currently don’t have a camera of my own, but I’m very much a ham in front of other peoples’.
I DON’T find myself to be very photogenic at all, unless I’m personally in control of the camera, but… I very much want to learn how to make myself beautiful for them.
Being involved in all types of beauty has been a dream for me for a very long time, no matter how I do it. I would never get anywhere doing something other than being involved in beauty.
not counting kate moss and devon (let’s not forget laetitia casta)
if they start allowing short people into the high fashion world of modelling they should then allow ”plus size” and women in their 30′s, 40′s and older to work the exact same runway and editorials equally!