Height stands in the way of my modelling career

[~FloweryFriend~]

Posted: 1/5/06 at 12:47pm

So I was watching an America's Next Top Model marathon a few weeks ago.
I thought to myself, "most of those girls are idiots... I can do that".
Some of them have poor self-esteem and cry all the time.
I don't.
Some can't take criticism or direction.
I have no problem with that.
Some can't face the camera straight on.
Not a problem for me.
Some can't act.
Definitely not a problem for me.
Some of them don't prioritize and go shoe-shopping at inopportune moments.
I wouldn't.

I have presence, personality, acting training, and I photograph relatively well.
If I got on the show I would work hard, unlike most of the morons on it.
I know I have flaws, but being critiqued does not scare me.
I welcome the challenge.

Unfortunately, there is a height requirement listed in the registration information of 5'7".
I am 5'6".
The same height as Twiggy.
Only 1/2" shorter than Eva, Top Model of the third cycle.

I have watched the girls on the program fight for their goals despite physical and mental limitations.
Some girls have struggled with weight (although frankly, I never thought any of them were something other than thin) and others with confidence.
Tyra always encourages the models to fight the ideals set by the industry and create their own definitions of beautiful.

Am I to believe that people under 5'7" cannot model?
Tyra and her team have instructed the competitors to find tricks to disguise their flaws.
I can project size.
I can take up psychic space despite my height.
I can wear high heels.
I can be shot from low angles.
I can stand the way Eva did in the cell phone shoot with her foot out in front.
The show has taught me that there are ways to work around limitations, and I know that I can do that.

If I send in an audition tape as a 5'6" potential model, will it be immeadiately rejected and ignored?
Or will I be given a chance, despite the industry standards working against me?


I wrote Ms. Banks an e-mail a few weeks back, but still have received no response.

Oh well... Maybe I'll just apply to be on Big Brother instead.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 1/5/06 at 12:50pm

If they relax the standards 1", then they'll have to relax them another inch for the 5'5" person who doesn't understand why they couldn't get in, just one inch below 5'6", and soon America's Next Top Model will be 4'11".

Updated On: 1/5/06 at 12:50 PM

[smartpenguin78]

Posted: 1/5/06 at 12:52pm

"and soon America's Next Top Model will be 4'11'"

Good.

[~FloweryFriend~]

Posted: 1/5/06 at 12:59pm

I see nothing wrong with a 4'11" model.
Runway is only a fraction of the industry.
Print work doesn't need a height requirement.

[singingsweetee82]

Posted: 1/5/06 at 1:50pm

I doubt that you'll be rejected from the very beginning based on your height alone. there was at least one girl in the past season who was much shorter than all the others, and she made it pretty far. In the end, they did cut her, and it seemed like her height had something to do with it. However, I wouldn't let that stop you from sending in a tape.

[ToBeingAnUsForOnce]

Posted: 1/5/06 at 2:05pm

Just say you're 5'7" and see how long it takes for them to figure out that you're not. If this is something that you really, really, really want, then I say do whatever you can to get it.

[Mamie]

Posted: 1/5/06 at 2:11pm

This is no joke - start Pilates exercises. These stretch the spine and will actually add an inch (and sometimes more) to your height. (And these stretches feel wonderful!)

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 1/5/06 at 2:12pm

Mamie's advice is much better than ToBe's. They'll know right away you're not 5'7", they're pretty high-tech that way. And they will not be cool about you lying.

[~FloweryFriend~]

Posted: 1/5/06 at 2:17pm

I actually have a disorder affecting my spine.
If I ever have surgery to correct it, I could end up being taller.
So there's always that.

But at this point, pain isn't bad enough for me to want to go through a surgical procedure... and I'm certainly not going under the knife for a chance at a reality television career.

I'm not going to apply to be ANTM.
I just really wanted to grumble.
I'm done now.
:)

[Love4Cheno]

Posted: 1/5/06 at 2:22pm

Flowery- you can do print work. I'm 5'9 (pretty short for a guy) and I do print work.

I understand why runway models need to be tall and thin though. Honestly, clothes do look better draped and billowing on a tall and thin frame.

[etoile]

Posted: 1/5/06 at 4:05pm

A tiara can add three inches to your height.

[RachLaura]

Posted: 1/5/06 at 4:18pm

i say do big brother

peanut butter and jelly...Mmmmmmm

[~FloweryFriend~]

Posted: 1/5/06 at 6:05pm

lol... thanks etoile. I'll keep that in mind

[Millie42]

Posted: 1/5/06 at 6:22pm

Though barely fitting the height requirements, I realized that ANTM wasn't the place for me (Not that I ever wanted it, but for the sake of argument) when I saw one of the shows and a girl was around 5'8" and she weighed 130ish and they told her that she really needed to lose... she was around 15 pounds more than the others who were even taller.
Yep--- I think that still places her at below average/average weight.
I can't imagine being known as "the fat one" just because you look remotely healthy.

[Link Larkin Wanabe]

Posted: 1/5/06 at 6:29pm

I say go fo it and fudge your height a little. Quite frankly its what people do in the industry. I think you have a look that fits with the show (as much as I can tell from your fanphotos).

Hah, I have been watching the reruns this week and its is so addictive. I think i might get back into modelling because of it actually. I have been asked to audition for the biggest runway fashion show in Canada this year and I think watching the show has made me want to do it.

Keep us updated on any developments, Flowery!

Akiva

[justagirl2]

Posted: 1/5/06 at 6:41pm

Lie. They'll never know, they're models. If you think you've got it, you've got it! You sound very confident, and that's what you need to get ahead more than anything else on that show and in the real world, too.

I kind of want to apply to ANTM and see what happens. It would be funny. At least I'm tall enough.