Skip to main content

You Can't Beat Genetics


It tickles me how many hoops some girls go through in the effort to boost themselves a couple inches so they can be the right height to be a fashion/runway model.

While some claim to be able to increase their height through stretching, pilates, yoga, etc., what it all boils down to is genetics. Please take your hands away from your eyes--as much as you hate to read this, I have to give you the truth.

If you want to know if you'll be tall enough to do fashion or runway, there are two main options for you. One, visit a doctor who can help you determine based on your lifestyle, eating habits and family history, how tall you could potentially grow. Of course the doctor isn't always right, as I know of a few people who grew more or less than their doctor estimated.

Two, look at your family. They are the greatest indicators of all. Do your mom and dad tower over everyone? Are you brothers and sisters short? Are your grandparents on both sides tall, short or average? All of these things factor into how tall you could potentially be.

The whole genetics issue is a tough one to fight. The factors that play into your height start when you're still in your mother's stomach. Her diet, lifestyle and genetics all come into play before you're born. So in a sense, your height's destiny is already determined. Unless you're one of those crazy exceptions to the rule (like super short parents giving birth to a super tall son or daughter).

Instead of spending hours and days of your life trying to find that miracle product, pill, exercise or diet that will cause you to miraculously grow, you should turn all that energy and attention towards trying to pursue a category of modeling that actually welcomes your height, not hinders it. Height potential decreases the older you get so if you're already 16 or older, chances are you aren't going to experience a growth spurt large enough to allow you to walk the runway.

But that doesn't mean you can't appear in a magazine or catalog. Catch my drift? Stop focusing on what you aren't and focus on what you are and find the right fit in your modeling career Besides, don't you know stress can stunt your growth? Just kidding. Or am I? See, how exhausting it is to try and analyze all this? Stop worrying and start modeling already!

Comments

Anonymous said…
This is really helpful! I was wondering though if you are on the other side of the spectrum (really tall) if that is a thing that can hinder you from modeling? I'm only 14 and I've already hit the 5'10.5"
and I still have a couple more years to grow. Is there a way to be too tall?
Dania Denise said…
Thanks for the comment! Your question has been in answered in my recent post, titled, "Answering a Reader Question #7."
Stripedfire said…
While there is no miracle method or sure fire way to gain inches, I know that there are exercises that help. I did some stretches for a month and grew an inch but it wasn't my bones that grew - it was the muscles in my back. The exercises gave me the strength to hold my body higher. The exercises did need to be kept up, but it still helped. You are right though - people should accept and love their bodies and there is no easy or sure fire way to make yourself grow permanent inches.

Popular posts from this blog

Modeling & Pay Rates: How Much Should You Charge?

(This post is more targeted towards freelance models and not those with agency representation, although it may apply to those that have an agent but continue to find their own work.) A part of being a successful model is making money from the jobs that you book. However, being a freelance model comes with many challenges--figuring out what you should charge is one of them. I will say upfront that there are no established black and white rules when it comes to pay rates. Each modeling job is different, each client is different and budgets vary. Ultimately the factors that should influence what you charge should be the amount of experience you have, the strength of the images in your portfolio and the client's budget/needs. Not every client is going to pay what you want to charge. There may be times when you will be skipped over for charging too much or taken advantage of for charging too little. It's going to happen so be prepared for it and do not take it personally. It

What Are Male Models Supposed to Look Like?

The modeling world is filled with women. That's never been a secret and sadly, that often means male models fall by the wayside. There are successful male models in all categories across the industry but the fact that the modeling business revolves around women can make it challenging for newbies to figure out how to pursue their goals of male modeling. It is important to know that because there are different types of modeling categories out there, that means there are also different types of male models. They aren't all supposed to look alike and what ends up being in demand does change every year. Let's break down the common attributes that come with male modeling in various popular categories, shall we? THE MALE FASHION/RUNWAY/EDITORIAL MODEL These are the typical types of models most of us tend to think of when it comes to men in modeling. What is important to know and understand if you're an aspiring male model is that agencies have all different looks

Modeling and Weight

One of the first things I hear potential models ask is what the weight requirement for modeling is. Sometimes that is the main issue they worry about when it comes to pursuing modeling. Let me tell you right now that weight should NOT be one of those concerns. Obviously, the height requirement reigns supreme when measuring up to the modeling standards sought out by agencies. If you meet the height requirements--whether it's for fashion and runway or commercial/print--that is the first step towards starting on the path to modeling. How much you weigh shouldn't be your biggest fear. It is rare that anyone can look at someone and say, "Oh, my gosh, he/she looks like they are 5 pounds over our weight requirement!" It just isn't realistic. If you look at many modeling agency websites, they clearly list the age and height requirements--rarely, if at all do they list any weight restrictions. The general rule of thumb when it comes to weight is that for models who