How To: Become A Model

Right now, African is the sexiest thing you can be. Between Beyonce’s Black Is King fiddling with all of our afro-erogenous zones and the general air of body positivity floating around, it is not a surprise that you wake up every day feeling like a snack. Being delicious in the age of Instagram is a lucrative business. Here is how to get on board 

Actress, model and former Disney star Bella Thorne used her looks to earn herself more than $1million (around R17 million) in 24 hours on OnlyFans.com, a content hosting website. Here at home a bevy of beautiful people have cashed in on their genetics to become either influencers or models (we’re looking at you, Maps). So how does one join the ranks of the people who are paid to be pretty? Model Scout and Founder of the Model Squad modelling agency Shadi Letoaba has some advice: 

1. DO YOUR RESEARCH

According to Letoaba “it is imperative that you check for reputable agencies in your area”. Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban (in that order) are where it is happening but that doesn’t mean that you have to give up if you are from somewhere smaller. 

“There are generally modeling/grooming schools in smaller towns and that could also be a great start,” explained Letoaba.

2. GOOD IMAGES 

Modelling is not about your personality, it’s about how you look and that one nice photo on Facebook is not going to be enough to make sure you wow scouts. Letoaba suggests that you prepare clear, high quality images with either a professional camera or with a good quality phone. “You’re going to need head and shoulder shots as well as full length,” she said.

3. SHOOT YOUR SHOT

You can’t win the lotto if you never play and if you never apply, you will probably never become a model. Don’t think that you are Naomi Campbell and a scout is going to bump into you at Cubana and jumpstart your dreams. If you want it, you’ve got to chase it.

“All agencies have an online application process. So log onto the agency website and apply. Make sure you have your measurements,” counselled Letoaba. 

4. BE PREPARED

Stay ready so you don’t have to get ready. If you just went through a break up and did the whole drastic hair cut thing, bear in mind that it is a look that may lose you money. Agencies may also just not find you that interesting overall. So be prepared for rejection or even conditional acceptance.

5. LOOKS ARE EVERYTHING

It is modelling. The painful truth is that no one is going to care that you picked up a few kilograms due to a family death and the beauty standards are going to be unrealistic. So if you get accepted, make sure you look good enough to make Jay Z cheat on Beyonce all over again because agents are a superficial bunch. As a general rule they are probably going to be looking for a fairly standard type of look but some agencies, like Letoaba’s are creating spaces in the market for non traditional, queer-friendly models. If you want more tips or to get in touch with her, visit her YouTube page The Model Coach.