What the Ham?!

 

    I know that I am a little late on seeing this but I really want to know what your opinions are of these pictures. This is a shoot that Crystal Renn (plus size supermodel) shot for French Vogue. It depicts the beautiful girl engorging on fattening foods, literally stuffing her face. 

     Crystal is always beautiful and I really do like her as a person, but I am sickened by this depiction. If I thought that it was a statement on how ridiculous the industry is for people thinking that plus models do that sort of thing, then I would like it. However, looking at these shots, all I feel is bad for the model. French Vogue is clearly mocking her. I am embarrassed when I look through these. In one shot she has a ham hock between her legs and is chewing on another slab! I know that Crystal is an artist and these pictures are certainly thought-provoking but if French Vogue had asked me to do these pictures, I would have said “no”. I also would have included some expletives because I would be offended to even be asked to make such a statement on my own industry. Sometimes you have to put your foot down for the sake of your dignity. Plus sized models are not fat, unhealthy or obese. I am not gluttonous or repulsive. I am infuriated that my genre has been portrayed like this. 

      Now tell me, am I missing some sort of message here or do these pictures bother you as well?

Finally, Photo-shop Free!

At this point most people are aware of the heinous retouching that occurs in every advertisement that we see, and if you aren't, then here's your wake up call. The fashion industry will put a model in a bikini and if her breasts are “too small” they Photoshop some new ones in. If her hips are “too wide,” they Photoshop them out (instant lipo!). Heck, if they couldn’t book the model that they originally wanted, they might even shop on a whole new face. I have been saying for years that these advertising/marketing tricks are mean and unnecessary. How are we supposed to feel about ourselves when the standard is being set at someone else’s definition of perfection? 

You don’t even have to be pretty, have good skin or be healthy to be a model anymore. All you need is to fit into the fashion industries’ cookie-cutter mold and they’ll shave down that nose, plump up those lips, erase those rib bones, and place your photo on every magazine cover and leave us “normal people” scratching our heads, wondering why we don’t look like “everyone else." That is why I am so thrilled and refreshed to see the new campaign for Make Up For Ever.

Make Up For Ever’s new advertisement features a close beauty shot of a model with the words “You’re looking at the first unretouched make up ad” next to it. Hell did not freeze over and the ad is still beautiful. The model is gorgeous, the lighting is flattering and the makeup looks really good without looking “fake." I remember seeing my touched CoverGirl advertisement and thinking that I looked like a fish. I wasn’t used to seeing my face without any lines, imperfections and it didn’t look right to me. The model for Make Up For Ever can be proud of her work because it is just that, her own work. There’s nothing worse than doing a shoot and not being able to use the tears, or prints, in your portfolio because they don’t resemble you. Who decided that faces looked better without any flaws? I like the little wrinkles on my forehead. It gives me character, shows that I’m not a child, and that I’ve lived. Perfection is so boring.

I fully support Make Up For Ever in their endeavor to release real, beautiful ads that show their products in action. I hope other make up companies do the same. Can you imagine living in a world where the before and after photos were real? I would love to know how products really work before buying them. I’m so sick of mascara companies claiming that they will “plump your lashes” while flashing the face of a model wearing the biggest set of fake lashes. That isn’t even retouching, it’s just lying.

It’s time that we, as consumers put our money where our mouth is. If you are sick of being lied to every day by badly air-brushed ads, then show your desire for change by purchasing an item from Make Up For Ever. If you don’t have the money then send them an e-mail expressing your support and you will aid in the continuation of these fantastic ads. 

Also, make your voice heard by contacting your favorite make up brands and asking them to do an ad campaign like this one. Love CoverGirl? Why not send them an e-mail or letter, or call customer service and tell them that you love their products but will not be able to continue supporting them until they put girls who look like you in their ads. At the end of the day, you are their boss. If you stop buying from companies that Photoshop their models, they will have no choice but to surrender. Please take this seriously. It only takes a couple of minutes and will save thousands of people from self-esteem issues. 

Thank you!

So, You Want to be a Model?

How to become a model while keeping your dollars and sense

        People are always asking me advice on how to become a model. There isn’t a lot of information out there on “making it” in the industry and I hate the idea of people getting scammed so I thought that maybe I could give a few pointers on the matter. My rule of thumb is very simple, if anyone asks you for money, it’s a scam. I won’t go through my trials and tribulations but I know this firsthand. I know that they are promising you stardom, a chance to make it big, for your dreams to come true but the modeling industry is full of really good liars who want nothing more than to use your dreams against you and take your money. Do not pay anyone to become a success. Trust me. 

        The easiest thing that I suggest is very simple and free. Every time you walk into an agency they take “digitals”. This is when the model has to strip down to a bikini wearing very little makeup with hair pulled out of their face, back against a wall while the agent takes a simple digital camera and snaps shots of the model from the front, both sides(profile) and back. One shot smiling, the others with a relaxed face and maybe one up close (the others are full length). These will not be your most flattering pictures. The agent doesn’t want to see what you look like all done up at your best angle, they want to know exactly what the real you looks like before any touch ups or crazy makeup. You can have a friend or family member do this for you.

       Now that you have your digitals (and they were free!) you will want to do some research online. Look up the best agencies in the world. Read about them, what the models have said, what work they have recently done, even the bad things. There’s no reason not to know every detail about the agency that you want to be with thanks to Google. Do not settle for an agency that you have never heard of with no reputation.

       Do you live near a fashion capital? If you are within driving distance to somewhere like Miami or Chicago then focus your attention on those close cities so that you can slowly work your way into becoming a model and if it doesn’t work out then at least you will have kept your day job. If not, look up cities that you could potentially move to. Modeling may become your life and you need to be realistic. If you are completely available then that’s great too. The world is your oyster! Now go online and find the agencies that you are in love with. Every agency has a “contact us” section on their website. Include you photos with your name, age, height, weight (or measurements) and send it to every agency that you would be proud to work with. Consider it like a college application. Have back-up agencies. It can’t hurt to have too many agencies to choose from. What’s to stop you? It’s completely free and if they aren’t interested then they won’t respond. If the agency is interested then they will contact you and if they aren’t then at least you haven’t lost anything by trying. 

       Remember, you do not need to spend a penny to become a model. Yes, sometimes agencies charge you for pictures, prints, books etc, but a good agency allows to you “borrow against yourself”. This means that the agency believes that you will work so instead of you paying them upfront, they will take the money out of your first pay check. If they don’t want to to do that then they probably aren’t planning on working you and you should run in the opposite direction. While we’re on that note, do not under any circumstances sign a contract until you or your lawyer has read through the entire thing and understands it completely. Some agencies charge several hundred dollars a month, charge you when they update their website (even if your file wasn’t updated), charge your client an extra 20% on top on the money they are taking from you, etc. I have done jobs for $3,000 and by the time I get a check it will be $150. Seriously, don’t be stupid about this. Drag your feet as long as you need to and feel free to say “no” to parts of the contract that you don’t like. Happy hunting!

So You Want to Be on Top? My tips for auditioning!

Whitney Thompson, Cycle 10 winner ofAmerica's Next Top Model (the first plus-size one ever!) and a model for Wilhelmina, shares advice for aspiring models who want to audition for ANTM.

There's one thing every model wannabe needs to know about getting on America's Next Top Model — there's no secret formula. Girls have been trying to crack the code for years and if you are planning on auditioning then you need to realize that there is nothing you can do to guarantee you'll get selected to be on the show. But while I can't read Tyra’s mind and figure out exactly what she's looking for in a given cycle, I can offer you advice from the perspective of someone who was once standing in your shoes, terrified and hopeful for a chance to make it.

Every cycle seems to have a cast of characters. There’s the southern bumpkin, the hipster, the crazy bitch, etc. These characters make the show interesting and relatable, but you must realize that they develop naturally during the filming of the show. No girl walks into her first audition, acts like a crazy bitch, and gets called back. Tyra doesn’t cast that way. The show would be fake if she did and I promise you that there is no scripting of fake-ness (other than Mr, Jays silver hair) going on off camera. Everything that you see is real. That being said, the most important part of the audition is to be yourself. Why do you root for girls? Because they are real. You relate to them, understand their struggles, feel their pain. By being yourself, you will attract attention.

Also, you need to have a purpose. What sets you apart from every other girl in the world? Thousands of girls audition every cycle. Why are you any different from them? It isn’t about looks. Being pretty is the easy part, but what makes you special? Only you can answer that. 

The Top Model staff will ask you to tell them why you are there and I sincerely hope that your answer is not, “Because I really, really want to be a model and I’m tall and people always told me I was pretty." We know all that, honey. Tell them something that isn’t obvious. Think about it for a long time. Write down supporting facts, have a good story to back up your specialness. You can not be too prepared when it comes to selling yourself. Just make sure whatever you say is genuine.

By now you’ve noticed that lots of girls on the show have “sob stories." We all deal with hardships, some more than others, and you have every right to allow that to motivate you, but don’t let it be more interesting than you are. I probably saw a hundred girls cry at my first audition in Orlando because they had been sexually abused, had a family member die, or were struggling with something else, and that is a powerful thing, but do you want Tyra to remember you for your problems alone? Feel free to share your personal story — you will get support from it — but don’t let it be the only thing you have that makes you stand out. What else is going on in your life? Do your problems motivate you to fight harder or help you better understand other people’s struggles? Try to find a positive side.

Remember, beauty resonates from the inside out and you need to find a way to show your inner beauty as well as your outer. I know that my confidence is the only reason I got cast on ANTM and likely played a big part of why I won. I was the only plus-size girl at the audition who was proud of her hips instead of being ashamed. And if you don’t feel confident then you need to learn how to fake it. Modeling is not easy and you need to keep your chin up through thick and thin. Above all, you must learn to love yourself because others will be able to see it and no one can take that away from you.

Break a leg (or stiletto)!

My Favorite Spring Picks!

Focus on Cheeks
Throw away your eyeliner, it’s all about the cheeks this season. Whether you choose to go neon or nude on the lips, you had better make sure that your skin is bronzed and those cheekbones are peach perfection! I love this trend because it takes the focus off of your eyes. No one wants to lug around eyeliner to the beach and worry about smears. However, that means that you will need to plump up the mascara (I recommend Covergirl Lash Blast) or skip the daily swipe and get yourself some lash extensions. They can be a little pricey but worth the extra glamour and time you’ll save by not having to worry about it. You will thank me when you wake up every morning looking beautiful without a stitch of makeup.

Buy Yourself a Trench
The trench coat is always flattering on every shape. It gives curves to box frames and accentuates waists on an hourglass shape. Also, they keep you dry from those April showers without cramping your style. I love a classic nude or black coat because they match anything but for a little drama, pick a bold color and tie the trench in the back to show off your outfit and accentuate your shape.

Let Your Hair Out
You must love 70s hair. Think about it, these coifs were being created before the advent of the hair straightener! My mom used to roll her hair around cans or use an actual iron to get her style! This means that the natural waves in the front of your hair are no longer something to be snuffed out by aCHI flat iron. Instead, embrace a little wave! it makes the style more authentic. Keep your hair thick and bouncy. You might need it to help balance out my next favorite trend. 

Tail Hems Are in Full Swing
If you aren’t familiar with the term, tail hems refers to a dress cut that is a bit longer in back then the front. A good example is my pink Versace dress from the ANTM Cycle 10 finale. The reason that I like this trend is that if you have a little junk in your trunk, you no longer have to worry about a short hem showing off your goodies. You will be fully covered and I find the angled cut around the thighs to make those appear more slim as well which is always a good thing for those of us blessed with “cheerleader”  thighs.  

Simple Jewelry
With bright, patterned clothes taking the spotlight this season, jewelry is reverting back to simple. I’m not going to lie, the bib necklaces were fun but there is nothing exciting about tying a ten pound bib to my neck and trying to remain upright. Tie your outfit together with a classic staple that you can wear with anything! I recommend something like the “Vintage Star” necklace from my collection, Supermodel. It’s only $35 and can be purchased at my website, ShopSupermodel.com. Also, simple pieces like this can be layered for a boho feel over the summer. Always think ahead! 

Cycle 16, episode 2

"Fiercely Real" contestant  Kasia was hardly on Wednesday's episode of ANTM (Cycle 16, Episode 2), but I see that as a good sign — the girls heavily featured in the beginning don’t win. However, I would like to see more of her and her personality because I have a feeling I am going to like it. 

I have met Heather Bauer, Tyra's nutritionist who we saw in the episode, backstage at the Tyra Show before. She is really sweet. I think that it’s important for new models to understand what healthy treats truly consist of, but calling them “cheaties” makes it feel like you are cheating on some sort of diet and being “bad." Honey, if I was going to cheat on my diet, it would not be by eating a waffle with peanut butter —  it would be triple chocolate cheesecake. I just wish that Tyra would have put more emphasis on having a healthy diet consisting of fruits, vegetables, protein and everything in moderation. I did like when one of the girls said that it was “more important to be healthy than skinny." That is exactly what I preach about everyday. 

The self-criticism challenge did paint a very intimate portrait of the girls. It was nice to see such beautiful women so exposed. Everyone has a negative little voice inside their head, bringing them down and when you work in an industry where people are paid to say bad things about you, it is important to get a grip on that nasty little voice because it can and will ruin you.

The photo shoot with the bees didn’t “wow” me but I did think that it was nice to strip down the hair and makeup in order for us to actually see the girls, hair pulled back, fresh faced, and vulnerable. I think that Monique was my favorite picture but it’s probably because her make-up had more structure than some of the other girls. Also, Hannah's neck was breathtaking, but she needs to work on building her confidence. I was so hoping that someone would get stung! 

At one point, Ondrei suddenly announced that she had lost two brothers and one of them was murdered. I was completely shocked by the introduction of this information and was immediately curious as to why producers even put such a fragile girl on the show. She obviously needed time to grieve over a murder that only happened right before she came on the show and I’m glad that she chose to leave, though I do hope that she would be allowed to come back on a later cycle because she was a beautiful girl and seemed nothing but sweet. I can’t imagine having to deal with such terrible issues at such a young age.

I love the guest judge, Alek Wek. I read her book ages ago and she has such an inspiring story that I encourage everyone to learn more about her struggle to become a supermodel. I am not sure how she tied into the episode this week, though. She wasn’t on set with the girls and she wasn’t promoting a project so it seemed a little strange that a random supermodel would just pop on by to judge the girls. Regardless, I can not wait for makeovers. It looks like there is a lot of blonde going on this season.  Can't wait to see how the girls turn out!