HOW I BECAME A MODEL

This question is something I literally hear everyday. Okay, maybe not literally, but like: a lot. A lot a lot. And it's usually followed by the next question "How do I become a model?" Well here's the truth: I have no clue. All I know is how I got into the business. My route was pretty conventional, and not every aspiring model can begin the same way. So this is my story. And like a good (or bad) infomercial, I must advice: RESULTS NOT TYPICAL.

"You Should Be A Model"

How easy and humble would it be to say, "oh everyone encouraged me but I didn't think I'd make it" ? Pretty darn easy. When I made this website I vowed to never take the easy route. So I'll give it to you straight. As I consumed the world record amount of America's Next Top Model, I pleasantly declared to myself, "I could do that." The lifestyle, the daily routine, the seeing-your-face-on-a-billboard appeal; I ate that shit up. To a little lanky kid who was told (through the Power of Tyra) that my boyish frame was appealing to the fashion world, fifteen year old me was hooked.

Getting an Agent

The first (and most conventional) step I took was to get an agent. I applied to one and, look at that, I got one. After an extremely nervous interview, I was enrolled into essentially Modelling 101. Through a series of classes on posing, business, etc, I was ready for my first photoshoot.

That Fame Doe

I knew I'd always wanted to be famous. My first love was acting, and then into modelling when it seemed to become the path of least resistance. And what insecure teenager wouldn't want to be covered in makeup, cloaked in designer outfits, and have fancy photos taken? Answer: not a lot of teenagers. I started shooting, getting more excited about this newfound attention. This was my in to this fabulous new world. There was some good, bad, and ugly photoshoots, but I did it all to try and get ahead. As Oprah Winfrey once said "You do what you have to do until you can do what you want to do".

The First Year

I slowly evolved my posing and facial expressions. I learned that grumpy face did not always equal model face. I gained some experience and knowledge, but it wasn't fast. Some models are discovered and within a few months are opening shows. I had interest from a couple asian agencies when I first started, but nothing came to fruition. This meant doing a lot of charity events, Testing For Print (TFP's), and student work just to gain valuable experience. After a year, I had a few fashion shows, a couple cool photosets, and a lot of life experience under my belt.

Anywaaaays

I am glad I took my time and learned who I was as a model before I took off on some contract. Who I am now is not who I was when I was 15. And so I am happy with how this whole she-bang has worked out. All I can do now is look forward to the future, and work my ass off. And I mean literally.

-XO Lex

#modelling #aspiring #me