Natasha Bedingfield Courtesy of Istock/Edstck for the image in Wilhelmina
WILHELMINA How History Is Made By Fran Sells
It was years ago, in the early cycles of America’s Next Top Model, that I first learned to perk my ears at the mention of the name. The winner of ANTM: Season 3 would be signed with this leading agency and by that embark on a new career in modeling, all thanks to Wilhelmina Modeling. Since those days, I’ve learned that Wilhelmina is not only synonymous with ‘leader in the industry,’ it really was the beginning of the modeling world.
Born of Dutch descent, Wilhelmina Behmenburg started modeling after her family relocated to Chicago, Illinois in the 1950s. It was she who epitomized the classic female look sought after by designers worldwide. She was the one who made the numbers matter. Standing at 5 feet, 11 inches and donning the truly feminine figure of 38-24-36, Wilhelmina forever changed what it meant to be a model. With her face and form displayed on 27 Vogue covers, no model has ever surpassed her success.
At the peak of her career, she combined her beauty with a keen sense of business and launched her own management company that streamlined talented models with hiring clients. Models everywhere responded to the opportunity, including the famous first black model, Naomi Sims, and later, the beautiful Iman. The rest is history. Everyone knows Wilhelmina models.
Today, the agency manages thousands of models worldwide, along with a long list of celebrities like Fergie, Natasha Bedingfield and Beyonce.
For aspiring models hoping to sign with an agency of such high acclaim, be prepared to bring your best...and then some! Judy Linton, once with Wilhelmina New York, explains that when the ‘right’ girl walks into the agency “It’s like falling in love. You can’t pinpoint when it’s going to happen. It just happens. You get a feeling. The girl will be beautiful, and her expression will portray a sense of openness and responsibility. It doesn’t matter the color of the eyes as long as they’re expressive, evenly spaced. Fuller lips are preferred to thinner but, again, it’s an overall experience. I can see a blond girl with big blue eyes, but then the nose is not quite right with the rest of the face.
For that reason, it is essential for you to do your best with what is in your control. When it comes to the snapshots, it is recommended to keep them as natural as possible. There really is no necessity to pay hundreds of dollars on semi-professional photos when what agencies are looking for is the working potential hiding under all the make-up. Images taken in natural light, during sunrise or sunset, create the softest images. An up-close shot of the face and a swimsuit picture are enough to get you started. Try to convey through your photo the essence of who you are.
Kevin Jones, former Wilhelmina agent, explains, “There’s a connection. We look for beautiful eyes, beautiful skin, a great attitude. There are some girls who tend to be very beautiful but are very dead behind it all. Being a little more extroverted helps. This is not a business for anybody who wants to be shy. It’s just not that kind of business. You have to go after what you want. Once you have the type of snapshots agencies are looking for, show your professionalism by composing a letter of interest to promote yourself. Include in this letter the personal statistics of interest, elements such as date of birth, height, dress size, hair color and eye color, along with your bust, chest, hip and waist measurements.
And don’t forget to do your homework. Every extra step you take to prepare and ready yourself for a successful career in modeling could be the very thing that sets you apart from the hundreds of other photos received that day.
Read books written for models (like The Wilhelmina Guide to Modeling by Natasha Esch or Janice Dickinson’s book, No Life Guard On Duty: The Accidental Life of the World’s First Supermodel) and find out if there are any open calls coming to your area.
Most of all, Wilhelmina says, “Please do not lose hope! We are limited by what looks work for our market. Your look or type might not work for our agency at this particular time. We encourage you to resubmit your photos after six months. If you are seriously interested in modeling, with hard work and persistence, you can find success.”
Catch A Rising Star
DMF’s Fran Sells was able to catch up with Kaitlin Welton and hear first-hand her journey in modeling/acting, landing the television role and what she's learned in the process.
1. How did you get started in the modeling/acting industry?
I began doing photoshoots in college to help with expenses. That led to becoming a product specialist for Chrysler Motor Company, where I was infront of people a lot of the time. It was there I realized I had a passion for being on stage.
2. What were some of the biggest challenges you faced early in your career?
Definitely understanding how tough this industry can be on women. I learned more about myself and my goals through modeling and acting in these past few months of working than I would have ever thought. You've got to be committed to what you are after. If you are, you can make it. If there's one piece of advice I'd give to girls hoping to be in my shoes someday it is to never lose that sense of who you are, your morals, and where you plan on going in life.
3. Tell us about the highlights of your work. Are there elements from behind the scenes that caught you by surprise?
I really loved being on NBC’s The Playboy Club because it is such an iconic piece of the past. I was shocked by how much work went into transforming into that time period, in becoming a 1960s Playboy Bunny. It takes A LOT of hair and makeup! To be camera-ready, we had to show up at least 4 hours before filming, even if our scene was just to be laying in bed!
Working on the set of The Playboy Club was different from other jobs because it required so much research on my part to understand the era and what really went along with being a Bunny. It's not just about the outfit. It really symbolized power and freedom for a lot of women. I was so privileged to meet Hugh Hefner while I was recently in Los Angeles. I'd definitely mark it as a personally, life-changing experience.
4. When it comes to modeling/acting, what is the one thing you would do over if given the chance?
I'm also in the upcoming movie Real Steel with Hugh Jackman. I would love to be able to shoot that over again simply because the people involved with the making of that movie are wonderful. I really loved working with the director and the whole Michigan family of people. It was a great experience!
5. How do you enjoy your free time?
Sleep. I never get enough of it. It takes a lot of hours of hard work to make your dreams possible. My philosophy on my career is to always be thankful. I grew up as an ordinary girl in the midwest. This is exactly what I want to be doing with my life.
What I want to set me apart from every other model and actress out there is my passion. I honestly put my whole heart and my whole life into this career. I understand that I need to be more than just a pretty face. I need to make smart business choices. I need to be it all. I know that as long as I don't ever lose sight of my goals, I will see them accomplished.
There seems to be the same thread running through the story of every girl featured: dedication and hard work pay off.
While you're keeping an eye out for Kaitlan's face and name in her future work, know that you could follow her path. You could be the next one featured in an issue of Discover Me First. Keep your eye on your goal, work towards it each day, take advantage of all our services and you could be the next to make it big!
