MODELS: Are they real people?

We have all seen models on the cover of a magazine, or walking the catwalk and we assume they are "perfect".  People don't even think of models as people, they are just perfect beings put on Earth to look beautiful and make everybody else feel bad about themselves.  But a model is a regular human being just like you and me.  Everybody has flaws and things about themselves that they would like to change, and models are no exception.  I guarantee if you had a talk with every super model in the world, they would all have at least one thing that they would like to change about their body, their personality, or even their life in general.  You would also find out that their lives are not much different than yours.  They are just regular people whose dream happened to come true.

My absolute favourite shows are America's Next Top Model, Canada's Next Top Model, and Australia's Next Top Model.  I love watching these shows because I really relate to some of the contestants.  Every model on these shows have their own personal stories.  On America's Next Top Model Cycle 13, Nicole beat Laura in an amazing finale.  Both of these girls had touching stories.  Nicole was the classic shy girl at school.  She wouldn't talk to anybody and would even sit in a bathroom stall at lunch so nobody would see her eating alone.  Laura on the other hand was very outgoing, but that doesn't mean her life was perfect.  Laura suffered from dyslexia and had a very hard time reading and remembering commercials on the show.  Neither of them were perfect by any means.  Then there is Cycle 15 winner Ann Ward.  Ann was extremely tall (6'2").  She was also extremely skinny.  Some people may think this is a good thing, but Ann always got made fun of at school and people would point at her in public.  She was so self conscious about her body.  The big difference between Ann and other girls who have body issues is the fact that Ann learned to use her weird proportions as a strength.  Ann is now a top model living in New York City who has graced the cover of Beauty in Vogue, Italian Vogue, and has a contract with Covergirl and IMG Models.  There are two more girls who stick out to me from Americas Next Top Model that had an incredible story, and that is the two finalists for cycle 16.  The runner up of cycle 16 was named Molly, and she definitely didn't have a perfect life.  Molly was adopted the day she was born and still hasn't met her birth mother.  Because of the adoption, she has had a lot of abandonment issues and has experimented with illegal substances.  She had to go to rehabilitation to get her life back on track, but she still has significant anger issues.  Then there is the winner of cycle 16.  Brittani didn't live the life of luxury before she won this show.  In fact, Brittani lived with her mother in a trailer park.  Not only is she less fortunate, but she is a normal teenager.  If you have seen this show, you may know Brittani as the one who started drama with fellow contestant Alexandria.  In fact, Brittani mouthed off at panel, and almost got herself kicked off.  Brittani worked through all her problems and is now very successful and is able to provide for herself and her mother.  These are only a few of the amazing stories from Americas Next Top Model.  I personally like watching Canada's Next Top Model best because they are so much like me.  All of the girls on the show are just small town Canadian girls who have a dream.  It amazes me when I hear about winners who have come from a small town in Ontario, just like me.  In fact, I have met cycle 2 winner Rebecca Hardy at her agency in Toronto.  Why might you ask? Because Rebecca and I are from the same modeling agency.  Rebecca is one of the nicest girls I have ever met.  So I ask you, are these people perfect? Is it perfect to have anger issues, be the shy girl, eat lunch in a bathroom stall, suffer from learning disorders, and live in a trailer park?  I personally don't think so.

Ann Ward, Cycle 15 WINNER

Brittani Kline, Cycle 16 WINNER

Not only are the girls on Top Model a lot like us, supermodels are too.  One supermodel who I definitely relate to is Addison Gill.  Addison is one of the newest supermodels in the world, but her career shot to the top very fast.  Addison is a small town girl.  Which small town you may ask? Well Addison lives in Brantford, Ontario and goes to Assumption College.  She literally is living my life-going to high school, dealing with homework and boys, partying-except her dream has already come true.  Addison wasn't always model material.  In fact, when she was younger she joined the Limeridge Mall Modeling Contest twice, and lost both times.  Addison was extremely determined to make it into the glittery world of fashion so she joined the Chantale Nadeau Model Search.  Addison won the contest at the young age of fourteen.  The young model then signed with one of the top modeling agencies in Canada, Sutherland Models.  The next year, Addison entered yet another contest.  This one was the V-Magazine Supreme Model Search.  Once again, Addison came out on top.  Her prizes for winning this contest were amazing.  She had a spread in V-Magazine, signed a three year contract with Supreme Management in New York City, as well as a three year contract with Woman Management in Milan.  Addison is just like any other teenager in Brantford

Addison Gill

Addison on the Runway

Addison on the cover of Vogue Italia

Another supermodel who was discovered merely by a contest is the one and only Heidi Klum.  Klum entered a national modeling contest called Model 92.  Out of 25, 000 contestants, she came first and was offered a 300,000 dollar modeling contract with Metropolitan Models in New York City.  Heidi Klum has been on pretty much every magazine there is including Vogue, Elle, and Marie Claire.  Klum is most famous for her work with Sports Illustrated and Victorias Secret.  Heidi Klum actually hosted the 2002, 2006, 2007, and 2009 Victorias Secret Fashion Shows, the most famous fashion event in the world.  Heidi Klum is one of the world's highest paid supermodel, but she didn't get to that point by just being pretty.  Klum is known to be extremely hard working.  As well as modeling, Klum has appeared in many movies and TV shows such as How I Met Your Mother, Yes Dear, Sex And The City, and The Devil Wears Prada.  Heidi Klum is now signed with IMG Models which is the same agency as fellow supermodels Kate Moss, and Gisele.  Even though Heidi Klum is busy as a supermodel and actress, she has a personal life just like any other person on this planet.  Heidi Klum married a stylist named Ric Pipino in 1997, but just like a lot of couples, they divorced in 2002.  While pregnant, Heidi Klum started dating Seal Samuel who is a musician.  She gave birth to her first daughter Helene Boshoven "Leni" Klum and states that since her biological father is not involved in Leni's life, Seal is the father.  In fact, Seal Samuel later adopted Leni.  Seal and Heidi eventually married on the beach in Mexico and had three more kids: sons Henry, and Johan, and daughter Lou.  Every year, Heidi Klum and Seal Samuel renew their vows in front of family and friends.  On November 21, 2009, Heidi Klum took Seal's last name and is now known as Heidi Samuel. 

Heidi Klum on the runway for Victoria's Secret

Heidi Klum for Vogue

Hearing all of these supermodels' personal stories makes me realize that they are not "perfect".  They are just regular human beings like you and I who happen to be living their dreams.  I personally am trying to become a top model.  I have walked for famous hairstylist Robin Barker, and Toronto designer Annie Thompson.  I have also appeared in a few ads, and am hoping to appear in Toronto Fashion Week this year.  I have also done numerous photo shoots with top photographers such as John Ortner and David Hou.  I am currently signed with the same agency as Canada's Next Top Model winner cycle 2 Rebecca Hardy, and supermodel Addison Gill.  It is also the same agency that shot supermodel Shalom Harlow to the top.  Knowing that so many supermodels come from small towns and go through the same day to day life as me really gives me hope that my dream will come true.

Me on the runway for Annie Thompson's show

Head shot shot by David Hou

Body shot shot by David Hou