09 September 2010

the 5 Greatest Myths about Modeling

As a model, I am always boggled by the (generally untrue) stereotypes that surround the profession! Here's the 5 Greatest Myths of Modeling unraveled.

#1 - Models are tall, blonde Amazons.
In fact, the type of model that is now preferred has striking (and often unusual) features, darkish hair, and skin anywhere from porcelain to coal.
In general, models do not look like this...
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#2 - Models are stupid.
'Scuse me! We models are (usually) just ordinary people, thanks. A lot of models I meet on the job are in college and model for the money (it does pay pretty well).
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#3 - Models are anorexic/bulemic.
This stereotype bothers me the most. True, many models are of healthy or slightly below average weight... but not all of us have eating disorders. (Again: models = regular people. Regular people can have anorexia. Models can too. But it isn't in the job description!) I, for example, have a BMI a few points below average, but see me at any meal and thoughts of an eating disorder will just fly away, LOL!
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#4 - Models make gazillions of dollars, live in big fancy houses, and have small yappy dogs with $800 dollar haircuts.
Haha... no. Though it's true that my average job pays perhaps $300-$400 average, I only get one or two jobs (if any) every three months. And if your parents, like mine, don't pay for a lot of your wants/needs, that money goes bye-bye pretty fast.
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#5 - Modeling requires little to no skill.
Think that modeling just means standing in front of a camera, tossing your head, and looking like an idiot? Think again!
Modeling requires patience, incredible acting skills, and the ability to follow directions to the letter. If the photographer says "act happy", you can't just do a fake smile. You have to have a genuine smile, perhaps laugh a little... convince yourself you just won the lottery and are 100% happy.
It's really hard to do it right.
Oh, and don't forget how uncomfortable modeling can be! Those 'effortless' poses (for example, legs crossed, arms outstretched behind head and holding balloons, while looking totally thrilled?) get incredibly painful after a few hours. Trust me on this... it really hurts!
PS - for the record, I have yet to meet a photographer/director who actually says "work it" or "strike a pose". Or a model who says "I'm ready for my close-up". Seriously, people...
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Well! The Five Myths of Modeling have been officially debunked. Thank you... and I hope you see us models in a better light now. We are truly just ordinary people!

(Also: any other models in the house? Make yourself known! Leave a comment... and perhaps include your own pet peeves about the Myths!)

17 comments:

  1. You should know that I never thought any of that stuff about models. I mean, look at you! You don't look like and anorexic sickly person who wears globs of make-up and is covered in a fake-tan. It's those people on T.V or magazines that have been photo-shopped to make people think they can look like that when they "try this new diet".

    And if you thought I was being serious when I told Emma "strike a pose", well... I wasn't. I don't know if that was about me or anything but... um... just wanted to clear that up...

    P.S
    I would think it would be fun to model (though I have other stuff I'd prefer to do when I'm older) one day.

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  2. Wow... I had NO idea that you were interested in this...

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  3. Interesting post, Olive Tree. I don't think I ever believed these stereotypes, but they are certainly the main American "image" of a model. Thanks for posting about this, though--it was neat to see you explain that models are just human beings, like your or me, not blonde and unintelligent rich people. :)

    Love you!

    Elizabeth Rose

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  4. Hmm...I am not a model, but I wish to be a fashion designer. Yeah, I can be picky about what I wear, but c'mon! I mean, you can't just go out of the house wearing something too small or such! :) hehe.

    ~bree

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  5. P.S. Would you think me as copying you if I did a post about the 10 (yes, there are ten) stereotypes for fashion designers?

    Blessings!
    ~bree

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  6. Great mythbusters :) I like the last one best - never really thought about how hard it must be to hold that smile on your face.

    Question - do you let your photos be airbrushed and can you have any power over that at all?

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  7. You're so lucky. I'd kill to be a model. I used to think I had a shot when I was younger. I'd watch America's Next Top Model like it was my life. (which it pretty much was) That's what dreams are for I guess :)

    Peace,
    [Laurea]

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  8. cool post! Yo ushould post some of your model pics sometimes. :)

    Love,
    Bleah

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  9. Thanks for debunking this crud- I aspire to be in the fashion industry, maybe as a model, and, well, I'm a little embarrassed to admit that I kind of want to be one because of the stereotypes. A catwalk is not holding your head up high, swinging your shoulders violently, and looking bored!

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  10. What a wonderful post! I don't model, but I've had countless people tell I should, had the right build for it, etc.
    And I totally agree about the eating disorders...I'm naturally very skinny, and I may look underweight, but I'm not anorexic. Stereotyping drives me crazy!

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  11. I model sometimes! But I'm afraid I fit in the tall, blond amazon catagory ^_^ But I am definitely NOT anorexic. Or stupid ^_^ And I don't get paid for doing it, and the only dog we have is my brother's duck tolling retriever! ^_^
    ~ Mirraim

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  12. I don't think of those stereotypes ever since I read Airhead by Meg Cabot. I think it would be cool to try to model but I have no idea what to do and who to look for. Maybe you can do a post on that :P

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  13. Oh yeah, Airhead is such a good book! One of the girls is a tall, blonde amazon with a miniature poodle, but... well, you'll see ;)

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  14. Good posting idea! What about pictures of YOU modeling?????

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  15. Hey harumyharu, just because you're blonde doesn't mean you can't model! LOL! Well I think that ANYONE of ANYKIND can model now. Brunets, people with black hair, ginger people, AND blondd people. (Yes I say this because I am a blonde myself)

    Though I am actually... small for my age. I'm proud of it too! 4 Foot 10 and loving every minute of it. LOL!

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  16. Okay, now I have a lot more respect for models everywhere! And also pity for the anorexic ones.

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  17. Hey, isn't the girl at the top from America's Next Top model, in the episode where they transformed the ugly blue dresses into ones that fit the models' personalities? I can't believe I remembered that! That model was one of my favorites.

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