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

Just thought I'd share some fun pictures from when I was a co-host at the BET Awards Show in Los Angeles a while back and to show that even if you don't make it big right away, that doesn't mean you can't still go on to do big things... Flavor Flave!!!!!!!! Me & the Crew Posing with Gabrielle Union My Co-Host Interviewing Dave Navarro (I was too busy staring at his body...that man is hot! LOL) Me & Hip-Hop Violinist, Miri Ben Ari Me and My Co-Host with Director Bryan Barber Me and Fantasia The Crew at The After Party After a Long Day's Work

Well, here I am 100 posts later...who would have thought I could find so much to talk about when it comes to modeling?! Obviously, you see my passion for this field is strong and as long as that passion is in me, I will continue to update this blog and share my latest photos and experiences as a commercial/print model. For me, there's more to modeling than just being in front of the camera striking a pose. Luckily, I have a lot of experience in broadcasting and working in the television field. This has led to many exciting projects and once-in-a-lifetime opportunities, one of the most memorable was as a co-host live on the red carpet conducting interviews with celebrities at the 2004 & 2005 BET Awards Show in Los Angeles. If you just want to stick to modeling, there's nothing wrong with that at all but for those of you who are like me, there are ways to use your modeling career to cross over into new territories. Many supermodels and other top models have been ver...

I've already made a post similar to this one but I want to focus more on the actual physical working relationship between an agent and a model. Having an agency at your side is the ultimate asset any model can have, male or female, young or old. However, it is a business relationship and only the most successful modeling careers continue to flourish when there is mutual respect and trust between an agency and its models. There is such a thing as a model being fitted with the wrong agency. That's why it's important to do your homework and make sure that you find an agency that is right for you. That being said, when you're attending open casting calls, interviewing with modeling agencies, or are going over your contract, there are a few things to keep in mind, aside from trying to keep yourself from getting scammed. Because you'll be working one-on-one with your agent, make sure that you are comforable around him/her. You may be working with different bo...

Plus-size modeling, unlike petite modeling, is gathering a huge following in the fashion world and more and more agencies are developing plus-size divisions. The reason for this is simple: in America people are getting bigger in size, not smaller. That's not to say that anyone is promoting obesity, but with the average sized woman being larger than your typical fashion model, the modeling industry is starting to cater to this large target audience. Plus-size models must meet almost the same requirements as fashion models: they must be tall (5'8" to 6'0"), with a great face, nice bone structure, clear skin and a well proportioned body. The size requirements may differ from each agency but the general range is somewhere between a size 10-18 (some exceptions are made for size 8). Plus-size models get booked for runway shows, fit modeling, print work and a score of other well-paying gigs. The best way to find out if you have what it takes to be a plus-size ...

I have a petite build. Always have, always will. However, I am not a petite model. I am a commercial/print model and I think that there is some confusion between the two. Commercial/print modeling is a very in demand part of the modeling industry that uses models of all sizes to promote products through catalogs, flyers, magazines, etc. and are aimed at the general public. Petite modeling operates in the same way, except that the target audience is smaller and the requirements aren't as open as commercial/print. Think of commercial/print as a "free for all" and petite modeling as a "select few". This type of modeling does include runway but because this part of the modeling industry isn't as well-known or popular, these types of bookings are very rare. Many agencies have a special petite models division and there are some that solely specialize in petite models only. The general requirements vary but the rule of thumb is that anybody who is unde...

Okay, fellas, I found another topic for you! Although some of the information I give the ladies also applies for men as well, there are a few topics that do need to be addressed separately. The best advice I can give any aspiring male model is to take care of your skin. If you haven't had any skin issues in the past, then congrats, you're one of the lucky ones. But if you're like many other guys out where who are dealing with breakouts, acne or other skin problems, the first thing you should do is visit a dermatologist or other skin care specialist who can help you figure out the best way to take care of your complexion and what types of products you should be using. Your face is your greatest asset so your skin needs to be on its best behavior. If you have facial hair of any kind, keep it well groomed by a professional barber or other type of hair stylist. You never want a hair out of place. Of course if you're able to maintain your facial hair by yoursel...

In order to be a successful fashion/runway model, you have to learn how to walk down a runway. The best advice in a nutshell is to watch fashion shows and take note of the various ways the models walk. No two models walk the same and as you get more experience, you'll be able to own your own style or throw in a little nuance that will set you apart from the other girls. Of course there are a few basic rules of thumb that every runway model should know: Posture There's nothing glamorous about a runway model that is hunched over. Anytime you set foot on that runway, your whole body needs to be upright and alert but not so rigid that you look like a robot. While walking, keep your chin tilted down slightly but not in a way that your whole head is looking down. The audience sits below you during a runway show and you don't want them completely looking up your nose the entire time. It's all in the eyes Anytime you watch a fashion show, the model's eyes are...