Cinco de Mayo (May 5, 2010)

This week’s focus was ADAPTATION, how quickly and deeply can you do it. The Business is nothing if not on constantly shifting sand. From the moment you enter the modeling world you will be asked to adapt to; different time zones, cultures, climates, hair, clothes and levels of professionalism! Your ability to do this will translate into an amazing career if that’s what you want. This holds true if your goal is AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL, or more local work.

On many photo shoots at the level of ANTM, you are ranked straight up and out of just about ALL of your comfort zones, ALL at once! There is not much time for patience and “thinking” ones way through. You are now on a very emotionally charged journey. There are a number of ways to approach your submersion into this world, you can fight it, and each other, which we have seen plenty of, or you can TRUST in the ones telling you what to correct and how! If you have an agent you trust, then TRUST them! Take direction, which is all too often received as criticism. Perez is criticism, Mr. J is fabulous direction.

Alexandra and Krista very successfully displayed how adaptation, in the form of making the uncomfortable look relaxed and comfortable, worked for them in the “Hobbit” shoot. They both carried that through to Tyra’s “Find the Light” shoot, with Alexandra looking “ethnic”. Adaptation equals versatility in the modeling biz and that can only mean one thing to any model, lots of bookings, which is the point after all. Make sure your repertoire includes the ability to take on any assigned role, and when you think about the length of time you are actually asked to “pretend” it’s not too much to ask you to be PREPARED for anything.

Many of the themes for the show really are the same as the needs from the industry. They are repeated on the show and in this blog in various forms, because they bear repeating and if applied, can only help you on the path to your dreams. For the purposes of those not on the show, and trying to build a career, you must begin with hiring an agent that you trust. Like all aspects of this or any business, do your research and once that work is done and you have placed yourself in an agents hands, start and continue to take direction well and no matter what level of this business you are in, you will be busy.

Tip: If you Respect the Industry, it will respect you right back!