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Jillian Shanebrook likes to travel and model. She took flight to faraway places, where American beauties are the exotic imports, giving her a leg up on the competition. So can you.
The game plan? Go abroad, my friends! Go where you are a rarity, where there are fewer young women who look like you, where you represent the exotic import. Many foreign countries thirst for American models. Of course, these countries have their own beautiful women, but most agencies still desire the American look, because American pop culture is the standard fare across the globe. Your target locations? Countries on the cusp of Westernization, where huge international modeling agencies have not yet introduced Western glamour. You are searching for demand (you are the supply!); avoid spots where American culture — Japan, for instance — is already played out. What's the first step? Well, set aside some time — maybe spring break, or a few weeks over summer vacation, or the month before heading off to college. Decide which country you want to visit, keeping in mind two considerations: 1. Look for a hot modeling market, and 2. Pick a culture that you are interested in, so you can have fun sightseeing as well. In general, Asia is your best bet, as the Eastern market covets the Western look, and most Asian countries are relatively safe and easy to travel in. Right now, China and Vietnam are very hot — they hold major potential to launch some American supermodels. Round up your mom, your girlfriends — heck, travel with a whole posse. When you get there, start looking and acting like the model diva you want to be. Don your best duds and make the rounds of the modeling agencies (there are some websites with listings, but also check the local phone book.) Ask specific questions — "What kind of potential do you think I have here?" "What kind of income could I expect to make?" "What are the working conditions?" Be informed. If the agency is interested in you, they can handle your visa, paperwork, and often your housing. If you have done any modeling in the United States, show them your portfolio. The key is to market yourself, and this is no time to be shy.
If you get some nibbles, great, take a year off and go for it. If you don't, there is nothing to stop you from trying another market on your next vacation. Your particular look may be more appealing in a different area. And, at the very least, you had an adventure in another country. If you work as a model abroad, you will invariably get more bookings than you would in America, and you will have a bigger and better portfolio. How your portfolio looks is much more important than how you look — casting directors, editors, ad agencies want to see tear sheets, ad campaigns, and catalog work. In addition, you will have gained confidence, training, and, yes, even money. How much money? That depends. In Japan, American models make between $7,500 and $15,000 after expenses per month. In the newer markets, the pay is 20 to 30 percent less, but the work can be more plentiful. And if you hit a few dry spells, it is easy to supplement your modeling income by teaching English. With your boot camp modeling under your belt, you can then try the big leagues: New York and Paris. If you think this seems too good to be true, think again. I did it! After college and graduate school, I traveled to Indonesia as a Princeton University volunteer to teach English. While I was living in Indonesia, I realized that as an American girl, I was a rare and exotic commodity. I had never considered modeling in the United States because I am not particularly tall (5'7") or skinny (120 pounds). But in Indonesia, I was unique. On a whim, I decided to try modeling. After scores of magazine covers, TV commercials, and even a role in the Southeast Asian Charlie's Angels, I was recently voted the favorite model in Indonesia. Because of my modeling experience in Indonesia, I have modeled all over the world, from Costa Rica to Fiji to China. And I have had the most colorful adventures, from surfing in the Indian Ocean to drinking kava with a Fijian princess and her ladies-in-waiting. My experience as a model is not unique. This is what Denise Richards (5'7"), Alexis Bledel (5'7"), and Jaime Pressley (5'5") did. Early in their careers, they all modeled in Asia, primarily Japan. Would they have become so successful without their start in Asia? Perhaps not. They might have just remained pretty but unnoticed. You can be the most ravishing beauty in the world, but without exposure, you will never be a successful model. And even taller women like Cameron Diaz (5'10"), Cindy Crawford (5'9"), and Shannon Elizabeth (5'9") all made stops in Japan first to perfect their craft. Why? Even if you have all the "perfect" attributes, competition is still fierce. If you go overseas, you will stand out and get more work. So, jump-start your modeling career by going abroad. In addition to an auspicious start, you will have an amazing adventure. Jillian Shanebrook has written a book about her experiences as a fashion model, called 0illian Shanebrook Model: Life Behind the Makeup, and is working on a second book about her experiences in the Middle East and Europe. To read more stories like this one, subscribe
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kay,
so maybe you are not 5'11", 120 pounds, with perfect bone structure.
And maybe Ford and Elite are not exactly pounding on your front door.
Does this mean your dream of strutting down the catwalk or posing for
the covers of magazines is impossible? Absolutely not. There are abundant
opportunities beyond the conventional path of signing with a major agency
— and, better yet, they involve travel and adventure! You just
have to think outside the box. 