The Curvy Model

So, you know my dilemma with Wilhelmina PA? How they ask for a sum of money up front? Well, I asked famous plus-size model Lizzie Miller via Facebook! And this is what she said! She really helped me, but I still will have some questions for them once I get to see them face to face on Monday!! :D

I am really excited thinking that they are not a scam and an actual good agency! That could mean I will ACTUALLY get some work! :D You would think I would from being with two agencies for over a year, but yea, I got one job. Oh well, Wilhelmina PA is lookin’ pretty darn good right now!! HOORAY!!

(p.s. That doesn’t mean I am giving up on Ford Models, I can always work for them in NYC or CALI while working in PA!)

Posted at 11:32am 7 notes #wilhelmina #ford #models #plus size #me

Wilhelmina: Philadelphia

Hey everyone! So, as most of you know I went to Wilhelmina’s open call yesterday! They had it at Loews Hotel in the middle of the city, it was a lovely hotel. My beautiful mother drove me because my car wouldn’t make it, and my boyfriend couldn’t take me.

So we get there, (6 hour drive I mind you) and we were a little big late. It started at 12pm we got there at 12:15pm, mostly because of Philly traffic. But it worked out well, there was a line to wait in then we got numbers (I was number 133) and we all went to sit in this big room. They give us a little intro and tell us we will all be introducing ourselves to everyone, and walking the runway, (even actors lol). Thank goodness my mom was there! It was fun to talk to her, but I also met an actress who looked exactly like MK Olsen! She was adorable.

ANYWAYS haha, I was glad I was later because my number was higher and when you were done walking the runway you left. So, I was one of the last people to walk the runway. :) They took two pictures of you doing your thing and then you walked off. When I went up with the microphone we were supposed to say our name, age, location, and height. I forgot the location part, so I looked at the lady who was helping us and she said height, but I already said it! haha So we all kinda laughed and then she said location. I was nervous, but I think I did pretty well with my walk…

After the runway those who had their ports got to meet individually with the bookers. I did have my port, but I totally forgot to print some new work out. So I had like 5 pics in my port, people around me had like 30. When I walked up to them they asked me how I was and I said good, and I TOTALLY forgot to ask how they were! I even paused for it, but it didn’t come out! I think it was mostly because I knew what I was going to say, and I didn’t expect them to ask me how I was. DAMNIT! haha But oh well, I was like “I am Mandy, I modeled for ModCloth blah blah blah” haha I smiled a lot, but I felt so robotic about it, I was trying sooo sooooo hard to prove to them I had the “it” factor. But they didn’t seem convinced. So I went the extra mile and told them I was interested in acting too. Then they lit up and were like awesome! And they wrote my number (133) down that I was interested in that also, then they made sure I was a size 14, and I was off to the car with my mom for our journey home.

So yea… I don’t know what is going to happen. I was the ONLY plus size model there. Not sure if that is good, or bad. Maybe they don’t want plus size models? I don’t know. But I was bummed, its hard because I get so excited and I want people to share my excitement, but I couldn’t convince them to. My mom said they had to see a lot of people that day, so they were probably just worn out. But I was watching them talk to other models and they were wayyyy more excited with the skinny ladies. But you know what my beautiful followers? I am not insulted, I am not wounded. I am once again inspired. All of these obstacles make me more driven to succeed. I know that is probably kind of strange, but I cannot let it get me down. I believe in myself.

Keep in mind all of you, I haven’t gotten a “yes” or “no” from Wilhelmina in Philly yet, probably won’t hear back for a week or so. You will be the first to know. :)

Well, I am going to go outside and play with my puppy before I head back to my apt to do homework and clean. But I really do enjoy sharing these experiences with you, I hope you like reading them. :)

<33333 Mandy

Posted at 3:11pm 18 notes #wilhelmina #models #philadelphia #philly #modeling #acting #talent #scouts #plus size

NY Where dreams are made of?

As most of you know, I went to NYC yesterday. I went to follow my dreams and get signed by Ford Models or Wilhelmina.

Here is the story-

I stayed at a fellow models house Tuesday night in Harrisburg, then we woke up at 5AM to leave for NYC. We didn’t get on the road until about 6:40 AM, haha typical models for you. JK! ;) We got to Queens at about 10AM, at her aunts to drop off her car and catch a train (that turns into a subway, I thought it was sweet) into the city to Wilhelmina. Wilhelmina is one of the top modeling agencies in the world, they have models such as Fluvia!

Unfortunately my friend got the addresses mixed up from Ford and Wilhelmina, so we were at Ford when we were supposed to be going to Wilhelmina. We were also running late as it was, the open call was done at 12. So we were on Fifth avenue, when we were supposed to be on Park Avenue. Thank GOD they were close to each other, we hauled our 46 inch hips to Wilhelmina. We made it just on time to the open call. We were the last models there.

Wilhelmina gives us a little piece of paper to fill out, then we hand it in with our portfolio, and wait. We only had to wait for about 10 mins. Thank goodness there was a baby model and a Scottish man to keep me distracted because it felt like an eternity. I was already sweating from running, and my heart was working over time because I was so nervous. Finally a tall, super thin, beautiful black woman came out. She said my name and asked me to follow her. I followed, I am so surprised I didn’t trip. I could tell before she started talking she wasn’t interested. She had this expression on her face, like pity, so I started to slowly fall off of my cloud 9. Thank goodness she was really nice, she asked if I had any experience. I told her I was with two good agencies back home (forgot to tell her about ModCloth.com, and my venus magazine shoot)… She told me I was not what they were looking for at this time, but she suggested I go to Wilhelmina PA. She said I could move up if I started there. Which would be sooooo cool. :) So no to Wilhelmina (for the both of us), but that’s OK, I was after FORD anyways.

Fords open call was at 3pm, so we had some time. I was pretty upset. Mostly because I was thinking that Wilhelmina is not as good as Ford, so if they offered me a contract I would have to wait until Ford saw me. I got off my high horse, and realized that if Wilhelmina didn’t want me- what were the chances at Ford? But I tried desperately to shove that out of my head, we had some food and relaxed at Bryant Park until it was time to walk over to Ford.

We get to Ford (Crystal Renn’s agency) and I couldn’t help but dream that Crystal Renn will just walk in while I was there. I even took it as far as she would stop and say “wow, your gorgeous” and talk to her agent to sign me. Hahahaaaa I told you I am a dreamer. So, I was excited for Ford because I knew exactly what I was going to say when they asked me why I wanted to Model for them. My friend who has been there before told me that I would wait in a line and show someone my portfolio and they would look at me and ask me some questions. I was excited for that, because then I would have some time one on one with the person and win them over! ;) But they did the same thing as Wilhelmina. You fill out a form and put your port with it and some dude takes it to a different room to see who they want and who they don’t. But when he brought all of the portfolios he brought in, out again he said the names who he calls Ford is not interested in. He called my friends name… and then mine.

Crushed. I was totally and completely crushed. My friend headed for the elevator, but I wanted answers. I wanted to know what I could do better, what they wanted. If I ever had a chance to model for them, If I should keep going. So, I walk back up to the man and ask him something along the lines of “What can I do differently” he said with an attitude, “uh, go to different agencies”.

Crushed even more. I thanked him for his time, and get in the elevator with my friend. Going down.

(Solution post in a little bit)

Posted at 9:16pm 21 notes #ford models #wilhelmina #new york city #nyc #modcloth.com

Ahhhh morning coffee!

Ok… More like afternoon coffee with my sleeping patterns.

Yea, I just woke up (no makeup hah). Having my friend over, then taking pics of her woooo hooo! :)

Tomorrow I have a photoshoot at 10:30 AM then off to Harrisburg to meet my friend. We will be leaving her house for NYC early the next day.

I am getting excited for NEW YORK! <Good song! I LOVE Alicia Keys!

Have a good day everyone! <3

Posted at 11:52am 18 notes #alicia keys #ford #wilhelmina #coffee #pictures #nyc #ford models

Sick of lying to myself

I am so ready for NYC. I am going to Ford and Wilhelmina January 6th, I am going to be confident. I am sick of being scared, and nervous about it. I have never felt so prepared for something in my life.

If nothing else, this is what I will do right in my life. That is where I feel I belong.

I do not have support from anyone but my boyfriend, my best friend, and you all. I hope you realize how much all of you mean to me. The e-mails of support I have gotten, the likes, the re-blogs… You are all so amazing, and truly beautiful people.

YOU have inspired me, and have made me confident.

Posted at 7:28pm 26 notes #beauty #tumblr #modeling #ford #wilhelmina #plus size #confidence #new year #2010 #support

Posts tagged wilhelmina

Wilhelmina: Philadelphia

NY Where dreams are made of?

Sick of lying to myself