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Original poster

Daughter wants to be a model

38 replies

namechangedbutneedadvice · 31/07/2020 12:43

DD11 found a website and filled in an enquiry form last night all by herself. Was a bit shocked... They've emailed me and want to see her. We have an 'assessment' next week. Entirely her idea and I feel sick about it. Her dad and I are both quite against the idea and have told her this but that we want to support her.

Obviously I think she's beautiful and is a wonderful person but not sure if she's model style good looks. I'm worried about the effect rejection might have on her self-esteem at her age... or if she is accepted. Has anyone any experience? They said they'll give her a decision on the day which could be f*ing awful. This isn't a stealth boast... I'm so far from being a pushy mother and I'm trying to support her but if I'm honest, I've been very negative about it to her and already made her well up this morning Sad not my finest hour as a parent. Would really appreciate some advice even if it's just to chill the f*k out.

OP posts:
FollowYourOwnNorthStar · 31/07/2020 13:21

I’m glad you’ve cancelled @namechangedbutneedadvice

Here is a link to a blog post written by Helena Frith Powell when it happened to her daughter. And she was watching upfront for it to be a scam, yet still went to the shoot/session.

helenafrithpowell.com/blog/the-future-is-definitely-not-orange

FlorenceFlounce · 31/07/2020 13:23

99% of these “agencies” and “scouts” are scams.

If they have a page where you submit your own details it’s probably a scam.
If you get an almost instantaneous invite to be “assessed” it is certainly a scam.
If you are asked for any money at any point it is a scam. (Eg: We took all these portfolio photos on her assessment day, you owe us £600 for services already rendered and we’ll take you to court if you don’t pay up)

She’s better off out of it anyway! It’s not the glamour and cash you’d imagine

FollowYourOwnNorthStar · 31/07/2020 13:25

Also the comments to the blog post are also very interesting as well

Noidea2114 · 31/07/2020 13:28

My DGd went to an assessment a few months ago and it was just a front to sell photos.
She is 13 but when they explained that they wanted £1000 up front she said no without any prompting.

A friend took some photos of her and she sent them to 4 agencies in London, all have now contacted her parents for her to be seen.
With no up front payment needed.

WorraLiberty · 31/07/2020 13:35

@namechangedbutneedadvice

Hi - she didn't lie. She told me she was doing it... I just let her and thought it wouldn't come to much. I have to say she is patient and resilient. But I've tried finding this company online and their information is quite hidden. No outright name or company number. Thank you *@ChelseaCat* I don't have a good gut feeling but don't want to seem unsupportive. Would you cancel if you were me?
DD11 found a website and filled in an enquiry form last night all by herself. Was a bit shocked...

Why were you shocked she did that if she told you she was doing it?

TheVanguardSix · 31/07/2020 13:37

I started modelling at 16, OP. Feel free to PM me. I was with Storm in London. Ford in New York and Paris.
I was scouted back in the late 80s but was in the industry until the early 2000s. Although I am no longer in that industry, I am still very good friends with my former agents and bookers who are still going strong!

If your DD wants to become a model, wait until she's 16 and only visit reputable agencies: Storm, Models1, Select, Bookings, to name a few.

How tall is she? Will she grow to be at least 5’10”? Because if not, don’t bother. They will want you to pay for her to have professional photos taken but unless she has the height she won’t make it.

This is not quite true. Kate Moss is an example of that. She is 5'7". But to be honest, at 16, it is ideal if your DD is about 5'8". If she shorter than 5'7", I wouldn't bother unless, to be really blunt, she has an extraordinary face. Check out the agencies I've listed and they will have a tab on their website telling you literally how to become a model and how to book an appointment to see them. This will be different in Covid times, but still the information is all there. Also, you can look at the models they represent and see what the agency is all about. You really don't have to go out and pay for a professional photo shoot. The agency can set up a 'test shoot'. They'll know in the blink of an eye if your DD has 'it' or not on the day they meet her.
It's a tough industry and you get a few good kicks up the backside. It's not a particularly joyful industry, but if your DD can get a few bob for university in the future, it could be worth it.

TheVanguardSix · 31/07/2020 13:40

By the way, a reputable agency, meaning a REAL agency, will NEVER ask for any money. Never fork over ANY money, not even a pound coin unless it's for parking outside.

elephantfeels · 31/07/2020 13:53

There is a Facebook page called parents of child models on Facebook. They are full of useful info and know which companies are legit and vetted etc

TempestHayes · 31/07/2020 14:00

They reply to EVERYONE with 'come in for an assessment.' You get your photo done and then they pressure you to hand over a lot of cash to join the agency and get the headshots sent out. Boom, they have your money and you don't get any work.

It's like publishing. You're not supposed to pay to get it done - THEY pay YOU. A legitimate agency will see someone could earn them some money via taking a commission from their pay. They then want the model on their books as that's how they'll earn - by getting them work.

Taking money from naive parents and hopefuls is not the sign of a legit agency. There's no incentive for them to find you work.

www.liveabout.com/five-things-a-legitimate-modeling-agency-will-never-ask-of-you-3196229

www.modelmanagement.com/modeling-advice/legitimate-modeling-agencies/

There.

Now, be strict and tell her no.

TempestHayes · 31/07/2020 14:01

(I mean, god, if you really want to do it speak to a local drama school, who will have a casting agency with a modelling arm most likely. That's if your kid wants to hold up tins of peas or be on a poster at the dentist. Remind her that's modelling.)

TempestHayes · 31/07/2020 14:01

(btw, ex child model/actress. It's skeezy. Run a mile.)

alimauqca · 09/09/2020 20:02

Babymodels UK are a scam, they sent several emails enticing me to join and when I did join they suggested that I do a portfolio so that my daughter be part of the A-list group of babies. The portfolio was extremely expensive, the website 'member area' was never updated with jobs the staff over the phone appeared to be clueless and I was never called or messaged about any castings let a lone landing a job. A complete waste of time and money. Parents stay away from this agency!

CorianderLord · 09/09/2020 20:08

I wouldn't want them doing this at 11. Even if she gets in legitimately I have pals who are ex-models from when they were 14-18 and many have eating issues because they're told to stay a certain size... even though they're getting older. Often told to lose weight. And if she stops growing at 5'6/5'7 there's likely no future in it for her

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