Modeling & Acting 101 - A Model/Actor's Diary

Anonymous Wrote: Heyy, Dania. First of all, I hope you have much success ahead of you! =] Well, I was actually wondering if you could help me out with a question I have. I also have stretch marks all over my butt and I have tried all the products but nothing works. Have the stretch marks ever been a set back to getting agencies, such as Ford, or do they get in the way of obtaining a job? Thanks so much! =] Hello, and thanks for the kind words! On the topic of stretch marks, I personally have never experienced a set back with agencies or clients. In terms of modeling in general, stretch marks can be worked around. If you wanted to become a pro swimsuit model then maybe there would be some concern but for booking general swimsuit work it won't be a huge deal. When looking for modeling work (if you freelance) clients usually will ask for models with clear skin or will specifically ask for models without stretch marks...those are the ones you probably won't be able to book. However...

Sky Wrote: Heyyyyy, My name Sky is I want to be a model. I am 19 and 6'2. My measurement is 32-27-34. Do you think I have a chance to become an Elite or Ford model. I really do want to become a VS model. Hi, Sky! To answer your question, unfortunately, you've got two things working against you if you hope to become a fashion model/VS model: your height and your waist measurement. There is such a thing as being too tall for modeling. Even men have difficulty in this area. While being naturally tall is great for fashion and runway modeling, 6'2" exceeds the ideal height requirement for female models. Some agencies will take a chance at signing a 6'0" female model and that's if she has a really great look. Unfortunately, I think you being 6'2" will work against you in your search for an agency. Does that mean you'll never get signed? Not necessarily but the odds will be against you, so be prepared for that. As far as your measurements, your bust ...

Yep, you read right. I won't be renewing my contract with Ford Models in San Francisco. Before I get into details, let me answer some of the more obvious questions I know you'll ask: 1) Are you crazy?! No. LOL. 2) Are you mad/upset/sad/depressed/scared? No. 3) Aren't you worried about your career now? Not at all. 4) Any regrets? Nope! Now that I've gotten that out of the way (haha), let me start off by saying that while Ford was good to me and treated me well, it was a mutual decision. Trust me, breaking away from a big name agency isn't going to be career suicide for me. It'd be different if I was a newbie or had no idea how the industry works or operates. I stayed with my contract as long as I could and during that time they did not book me any work, unfortunately. The shoots and gigs that I did get and posted about on here were through my own efforts as a freelance model. It is because of my efforts that I am not worried at all about leaving Ford. They are a ...

Anonymous Wrote: Hey, Dania So I've got the usual story of "I've always dreamed of being a model" but only recently have I given it some serious thought. I'm 20 years old and am thinking of trying out for ANTM and giving the dream a shot. However I'm worried about two things before pursuing this, I am just shy of 5'7'', the requirement on the application (I'm 5'6'' and some). I also am curvy, and whereas I know my chest won't work against me, I was wondering if my hips would. What's the usual hip size for models? And do you think I should still go ahead and apply, even though I am a little under 5'7'' (Eva was 5'7'' wasn't she?) Do you have any other tips/advice for applying to ANTM? Thanks! Hello and thanks for your questions. Ah, ANTM...let's see...yes, Eva was 5'7" but even though you are a bit shy of that height, you will be surprised by how much they will discriminate against tha...

Antoinette Wrote: 24 year old Tx girl, I always wanted to be a victoria secret model. I have a little experience and I just got a one year contact with DMG Model Management in Dallas,Tx. After it expires what can I do to try out by me being 5'5 in height? Hi, Antoinette! Congrats on getting signed to an agent! You are where many, many aspiring models hope to be so pat yourself on the back for a job well done. =) Unfortunately, I'm going to give it to you straight: Victoria's Secret recruits its models from high fashion modeling agencies and prefer their models to be 5'8" or taller. The ideal VS model is 5'10". At your height, you wouldn't be able to get signed to a high fashion modeling agency in order to be considered for a spot as a VS model. You are the ideal height for commercial/print so stick to that and you will still find a successful career in that field since commercial/print models are always in demand. I wish you much luck in your career wi...

Heather Gross Wrote: Hi my name is Heather Gross I am 18 and i am trying to get into modeling. Hollywood North Entertainment cating agency contacted me and wanted me to give them a call. So I did and they ask me to send 4-6 photos to them. Iagreed and sent the photos and they offered me a contract. The contract is simple and i read it throughly. The only thing that is stopping me is the "Cost is $288.75 on visa or master card for the prints." Any advice? Hello, Heather, and thanks for your question. You said you were interested in modeling. That being said, are you aware that the Hollywood North Entertainment Casting Agency specializes in reality TV shows? They are responsible for placing talent on all sorts of reality TV shows from America's Got Talent to The Apprentice. From what I know, they do not represent models or find modeling work in any of the fields (fashion/runway/commercial/print). If modeling is your goal, I suggest not turning to a reality TV casting agency...

The great thing about being in the modeling industry for so long is that I can usually spot a scam a mile away. But the scammers are slowly starting to learn from their mistakes. So I just wanted to tell you about a recent scam I avoided and am hoping to exploit. This particular scam has actually been around for a while but it's been some time since I've seen it, which means it must be back in season or something haha. While I can spot the signs, sadly, not all people can or will and I really want to save as many people as I can from falling prey. As you may well know, I'm pretty easy to find on the Internet. I have profiles on a lot of online modeling community sites in order to expand my exposure as well as my networking opportunities. This has led to clients finding my photos and information and offering opportunities for me to work with them. While this works out most of the time, there are those that will try to scam me. I recently received a message via one of ...

The past weekend has been such a journey and quite an experience for me. I definitely went there to win but not getting the crown or placing in the top 15 has not discouraged me in the slightest. If anything, it's invigorated me and makes me want to enter another pageant! Well, not right away but I will be taking some time soon to research other pageants. I think it's about finding the right kind that suits your strengths so that will be my strategy for next year. Regardless of what I decide to do, you will all be in the loop every step of the way! =) While I didn't make the top 15, I was surprised to receive a call from my pageant coach (who is away at school in Hawaii, which is why he couldn't be there), telling me that while reading over the pageant forums online, he found that I had made the list of many people's picks for the pageant. There is a whole world of pageant followers out there and they devote a lot of time into blogs, forums, websites, etc. where the...

Here are some flicks from the competition weekend... Me & Miss Palos Verdes, Nicole Chiu, she stayed across the hall from me: Miss North Bay Area...yeah, I'm representing! Getting beautiful in the dressing rooms is no easy task: Former Miss Venezuela teaches us the right stuff: This was pretty much what 95% of the pageant was...hurrying up to...wait around...LOL: You try spending 4-6 hours dancing and walking in heels...you'd be a corpse, too! A behind-the-scenes look at rehearsal. We were introducing ourselves: Good times: That's how we roll on the dance floor: Behind-the-scenes at the crowning ceremony: The non-finalists rushing to the stage for the final evening gown walk: Her face pretty much says it all..."Help, we want to go home now and our feet hurt!!!" Leading the pack offstage:

So Day 3 finally came! It was the finals show and all of the contestants had a lot on our minds. We all realized that by this time, the top 15 had already been chosen and now all we could do was cross our fingers and hope for the best. We started our morning super early (5am!) in order to pack our bags, and check out of our rooms. My boyfriend picked up my luggage and then I headed to breakfast with my roommate and the other girls. Afterwards, we headed to rehearsal, where all the teen and miss contestants did a full run-through of the finals show from the opening number to the mock crowning. We all learned where to stand, enter, and exit, as well as what the routine would be if we won. This was also the night were we got to introduce ourselves to the audience. Because the show was scheduled for 3pm, we rehearsed all morning, took a break for lunch, and then immediately went to our dressing rooms, where we had to wear our swimsuits again for the final show. I didn't make the top 15...

Some pictures from Saturday night: Miss North Bay Area & Miss USA Crystle Stewart:

The great thing about the pageant is that they allowed us some time to be with our loved ones. The Beauty of California Dinner took place on Saturday night, after our interviews earlier that day. By the time the preliminary and interview portions were over, there was only the finals show on Sunday night so the competition was pretty much over. Our reward was a special dinner and a night of dancing away our stress and all those freaking hours of dancing and walking in heels! The coolest thing next to having our family and friends there to be with us, was having the current Miss USA Krystle Stewart as our guest of honor! I got to meet her and take pictures...she is so humble, sweet, and genuine. I love how even though she is Miss USA, she still acts as if she's not a big deal. She truly cared about everyone that came to greet her and take pictures with her. Definitely worthy of the crown in my opinion. After taking pictures with her, I went back to my table with my boyfriend, who was...

Day 2 was all about our interviews with the pageant judges. This is a huge section to score points in for the competition. My interview time was 10:20am so luckily I got to sleep in for a bit. I got up, did my hair and makeup, and put on my interview outfit. This time around, they changed the rules for attire. In the past it was mandatory to wear business wardrobe, but I guess this year they wanted to see more of the contestants' personalities so the attire for the interview portion was completely up to us. I personally love wearing business clothes so I choose a happy medium: black, capri slacks, black, strappy peep-toe heels, and a maroon, sleeveless top with a chinese neckline. I kept it dressy casual. I wore my hair down and had my makeup more natural, since I wasn't required to be onstage. I checked into the Grand Ballroom and waited my turn. Then I was escorted into one of the conference rooms of the building, where I stood in front of the panel of the six Miss judges. Th...

Here are some of my favorite flicks from the first day of the preliminary competition... SWIMWEAR: EVENING GOWN: Hanging out with my sweetie after preliminaries:

Hello, my beloved readers! I had hoped to do a post each night of the pageant but it all proved to be pretty exhausting so by the time I got to my room, I just wanted to sleep! LOL. So I'll recap each day of the competition in its own post. Let's get started! Day 1 of the Preliminary Competition took place on Friday, November 21 in Palm Springs, CA. It was our first time on stage in front of both the audience and the judges and we did swimwear and evening gown. There was no opening number or dancing so it was straight to business. The Preliminary Competition for Friday was for Swimwear and Evening Gown. I started my morning early, grabbed some light lunch and then had my boyfriend drop me and my bags off at the Riviera Resort and Spa, where the festivities were taking palce. All the contestants checked in, picked up our sashes (which we are required to wear anytime we're out and about in the hotel), and got settled into our rooms. My roommate is a sweetheart (Jan Humphrey -...

Hey, all! I got some copies from one of my most recent shoots for a new innovative company called ELV Motors. In the effort to "go green," ELV Motors has come out with a collection of new scooters and electric bicycles. These aren't your ordinary scooters or bikes, either. To charge a scooter, it costs 10 cents. I believe it's about $1 a day to fully charge the scooter but get this: for each full charge, the scooter can run for 400 miles! Unfortunately, because it can only go between 20-30 mph, it is not intended for use on freeways but is great for getting around town and can be used on some highways. The electric bicycles have a built in motor and you can actually throttle the bike in order to get up steep climbs without pedaling. Pretty amazing stuff! The shoot was on a Sunday and lasted all day. There were four other models in addition to myself and we started in the city of San Jose and then drove about 15 minutes to a town called Los Gatos and shot there fo...