MODEL citizens
FEATURES | April 21, 2016
Margaret Cahill & Christina Johnson Features Editors
W
ith the popularity of TV shows like “America’s Next Top Model” and “Project Runway,” many students dream of modeling. For some Maine South students, however, this dream has become their reality. These students got their start in a variety of ways. Many of these students had parents who recognized their potential at a very young age and got them involved in the business. “I began modeling when my mom brought me to get baby pictures taken,” said senior Anna Benuzzi. “The photographer asked her if she ever considered taking me to an agency to try out modeling. She hadn’t, but she decided to do it after he told her about
it. I began modeling when I was 18 months old.” For others, the whole prospect of modeling came somewhat out of the blue. “We just got in the car one day and my mom said ‘Hey do you guys want to go and try [modeling]?’ And I guessed we’d go and see how far it goes,’” said senior Luke Giambrone. Many modeling agencies and companies hire scouts to find the company new talent. These scouts tend to look in a variety of places for models that have certain ages, genders, or looks according to their clients’ needs. This way companies or agencies can recruit undiscovered, potential talent. “I was scouted a couple of times at different shopping malls and I decided to give modeling a try,” said sophomore
pAMERICA’S NEXT POP MODEL
Olivia Chudziaszek. “Also, during one of my volleyball tournaments a man came up to my dad and said that instead of continuing volleyball, I should be a model because of my long legs.” Although some models see modeling as just another high school job, there are many experiences that are totally unique to this line of work. “For my first photo shoot, I was at a bird sanctuary in downtown Chicago,” said Chudziaszek. “I felt special because it was just me and the whole crew and they were all focused on me.” As glamorous as the world of modeling may seem, going to so many auditions can become dull and somewhat unsettling. “You’re there and they’re looking you over like you’re cattle,” said Giambrone. “It’s a strange thing. You go and you sit
in this back area full of people and wait there. It’s kind of like caddying, that’s the other job I did, you just sit around waiting for hours.” Still, there are many opportunities for fun depending on the type of shoot and the brand being promoted. “I had fun on every shoot I did, but I think my favorite was when I was when I was eight years old and I did a job for McDonald’s,” said junior Kelly Maigler. “It was a commercial promoting their Happy Meal and it took the whole day to shoot. Luckily for the two other girls and me in the commercial, we got to eat as many chicken nuggets as we wanted. I honestly think I ate 40 that day.” There are many different types of modeling including promotional, fashion, and commercial print. Most models tend to stick with one of these
PHOTO COURTESY ANNA BENUZZI
Senior Anna Benuzzi appears in an ad for Coca-Cola which was found in a few Jewel-Osco stores. Commercials and print ads like this are the main focus of Benuzzi’s modeling career. Benuzzi has also appeared in ads for Skittles and in the “American Girl Doll” magazine.
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