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Answering a Reader Question #200

Anonymous Wrote:


Hi Dania,

My name is Courtney and i'm 16 and i've wanted to be a model since I was 14. I live in South Florida but I kinda wanted to ask you two main questions. The first one is will I be able to get signed with top agencies such as Ford and Elite with braces. I get my braces off hopefully sometime next year but I want to start modeling now. The second one is would I be able to be successful in modeling with KP (A skin condition caused by your body producing too much keratin and clogging follicles which then hardens to form small pin sized bumps). Sorry for the long post lol I just want this so much and I want to do as much research as possible because I feel that if I put the effort into studying this industry like I study in school I can be successful.

Hi, Courtney, and thanks for the questions! There is a slim chance that you could get signed to a top agency with braces. I say "slim" because of the fact that there is not a huge demand for models with braces. Are there modeling gigs that want girls with braces? Of course. Is there enough of this work to go around for agencies to sign more girls with braces? No. However, if you've got a great look then an agency will give you a shot and see what happens. However, the fact that you'll be getting your braces off next year could make an agency want to hold off on signing you until the braces are removed. This is mainly a business call simply because it would be a big inconvenience for an agency to represent you now and have your headshot, portfolio, comp card and other marketing materials with you showing your braces, and then have to completely redo everything next year when you get your braces off.

There is a chance that an agency wouldn't mind having you on their roster right now and just deal with the change in photos next year but in general, this is a situation most agencies will want to avoid. For now, I would suggest attending open calls at local modeling agencies with your braces and seeing what feedback you receive from each one. If you end up getting signed, then great! But if not, don't be discouraged and don't be too surprised if they ask you to come back next year after your braces are off. I know you're eager to get started now but in the worst case scenario you'll have to wait a bit longer. So check out the agencies now, see what they have to say and then take things from there.

As far as your skin condition, if the KP doesn't cause any obvious discoloration on your skin, like very bright, red spots/bumps, then it shouldn't be an issue since it wouldn't photograph badly. But if there is skin discoloration, it may be something you'll want to treat and correct as much as possible before submitting yourself to agencies.

Good luck!!!
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