How To Make It As An African-American Model Total results: 4 Pages: 1 [ 1] |
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 ID: 228669 Posts: 87 | Date: 2008-01-29 22:06 How Tyra Banks Has Inspired African American Girls to Pursue Their Modeling
Dreams
By Eve Matheson
While women of color still struggle for assignments, many opportunities are
opening up to those models who leave the strongest impressions.
I receive numerous questions from African-American girls who dream of a career
in modeling. The following question is a typical example of what they want to
know and their concerns.
Q. I am African-American and want to be a model more than anything else. My
parents are unhappy about this because they say it is a dangerous business and a
black girl stands very little chance of becoming a model. Is that true? Is it
harder for us and what would you suggest? I don't want to give up my dream. I
watch Tyra Banks all the time. She is my inspiration and her America's Next Top
Model is my favorite show."
Tyra Banks African American Model
A. Yes, it is harder for an African-American girl to realize this dream. Your
parents' concerns are justified. Modeling is a dangerous business if you don't
know how to avoid the pitfalls and meet legitimate people who can establish and
guide your career. I am pleased that your parents are not pushing you into this
career, as many do, without having investigated it thoroughly. I am also
delighted with the passion I sense in your letter, as this is a crucial
ingredient for success. I strongly suggest that as a family you learn how the
business works and how it is possible to have a safe, happy and successful
career. I also agree with you that Tyra is an inspiration and she is also very
honest about the agony and the ecstasy aspects of a modeling career.
To help you, your parents and all the aspiring models who have written to me, I
would like to share the results of my research on this issue. All of the
African-American models I spoke to agreed that it had been difficult for them to
break into the business. They had accepted the challenge and worked hard at
promoting and preparing themselves. They were emphatic that a new model should
develop her own "look" and not try to be another Tyra or Naomi. Agencies do not
want copies of an original.
Sandi Bass, a former international model and now an international scout, told
me: "It is very difficult for us, but it is getting better. I had a great career
but I had to go to Europe to do it. I would say to my black sisters, if you
really want a modeling career, go for it! But don't just look at modeling; look
at acting, also. We have to try a little bit harder. We have to offer a little
bit more. Go to school. Get an education. Have something to fall back on. Don't
be afraid to hold on to your dreams and they will come."
Despite the fact that lovely Peggy Dillard was told by every major model agent
in New York to give up the idea of modeling, she enjoyed 10 years as a much
sought-after international model. Her advice: "You don't have to be a superstar
to be successful. There are many black models who have been successful in this
industry, whether it is on the runway or in catalog, who are not household
names. They live somewhat more normal lives. Look at your individual attributes
and realize how to market them. Learn everything you can about the business. Do
your homework. Approach this business as you would a college project. Find out
what photographers are looking for. Go to see the agents and listen to their
perspectives. Don't be discouraged."
International model Shailah Edmonds told me: "The market is smaller and there
are a lot of us out there. However, any good agency in their representation
includes African-American or ethnic or minority models. If the model fits the
criteria there is a market." I was deeply impressed by the commitment of many
African-American models to give back to society. They step off the world's
runways and leave the beautiful clothes and makeup behind to immerse themselves
in charity work. We seldom hear of their tireless crusades. Somalian supermodel
Iman is a wife, mother, author, and founder of her own cosmetic company. She was
appointed the global ambassador for Keep A Child Alive and its "one dollar a
day" campaign which provides antiretroviral drugs for HIV-positive children in
Sub Saharan Africa. Iman has also used her celebrity status to raise the
awareness of other charities, including Mother's Voice, Action Against Hunger,
and the Children's Defense Fund.
Supermodel Liya Kebede, who grew up in Ethiopia, is committed to highlighting
the awareness of several causes. Her most recent role is that of World Health
Organization goodwill ambassador for maternal, newborn and child health. Her
mission is "to reduce maternal and child mortality." Waris Dirie, another
Somalian supermodel, crusades to eliminate the barbaric practice of female
circumcision, in the Sudan. She also established the Desert Dawn Foundation, a
charitable organization which helps to fund Red Cross operated health and
education programs in six African countries.
For the last 10 years, dynamic Chicago-born Juliette Hagerman of Hagerman &
Associates, a multi-dimensional entertainment company in Los Angeles, has
produced fashion shows and pageants for African-American models. Supermodel and
television celebrity Tyra Banks was the inspiration for her to bring a little
hope, glamour, and excitement to aspiring models in Africa. Twice a year,
Juliette stages fashion shows and pageants in Nigeria in West Africa. Her main
focus is training girls for, and producing the Miss Silverbird International
fashion show for pageant winners of all races from around the world; The Most
Beautiful Girl in Nigeria pageant, and the enormously popular Miss Nigeria
Pageant. One of her students, Agbani Durango, became Miss Nigeria and made
history when she was crowned Miss World 2001. A proud Juliette told me, "Agbani
was the first African to bring home that crown."
I asked Juliette if career opportunities for black models were getting better.
She said: "More doors are opening. When I started, there weren't many black
models being accepted by agencies or seen on the runways. Pioneers like Beverly
Johnson and Iman opened doors, and Tyra Banks has pushed and promoted black
models." Her advice to new girls is don't give up just because you are rejected
one day, because you may be accepted the next.
We discussed one of Juliette's particular concerns - the issue of a model's
weight. She said: "I am loving the fact that the newest thing is that models
don't have to be so skinny. This will help us a lot."
Juliette's concern led her to start a Miss Plus Size pageant in this country,
for all nationalities. She said, "The average American woman is size 12, which
is a plus size. I started a free modeling workshop. At first I had to coax
ladies to take part; they were ashamed to get on stage and show themselves. Now
I am bombarded and have added more workshops. Some girls come from very adverse
circumstances. They are trying to get a start in life. I want to boost their
self-esteem. This is a stepping stone."
See this article at Pageantry Magazine: Modeling's New Color Spectrum
Eve Matheson is the author of The Modeling Handbook , a bestseller in the
industry. She has been writing about the modeling and acting world for over 20
years. Her new book Model Scoop And Acting Info provides a wealth of information
on how to have a happy, successful, safe career and is now available. Eve is a
journalist and the mother of a former international model. She has worked as a
model, and in radio and television as a writer and presenter. Eve lives with her
husband, Ian, a plastic surgeon, in Tampa, Florida.http://www.onemodelessencelimited.com |
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 ID: 180369 Posts: 3 | Date: 2008-08-23 22:07 Great article! |
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 ID: 246345 Posts: 644 | Date: 2008-08-24 01:06 U could write an article, is more propriate and I will certainly vote for it |
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 ID: 155195 Posts: 737 | Date: 2008-08-24 11:51 A very good one. Learnt some things from it.
Now i see i've got to work extra to be noticed as a black model
Libby |
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