So you want to be a Model? (Readers, beware!)

"Hi, are you working or studying?"

Let's face it.

Being scouted by a modeling agency is a huge ego boost. You'll feel like your looks just got validated by a professional.

Next thing you know, you get an appointment to go down to an agency. They ask you to sell them something. They seem impressed. They love your look. They like how fast you learn. They tell you about how comfortable they are with you and talk about castings like they're going to send you there tomorrow.

Then they reveal the catch: You need to pay if you want to be the next big thing in the world of Models. It could be for your professional makeover, or your professional photoshoot, or even your composite card- the equivalent of a business card for models.

Prices vary: They may ask you to pay anything from $199 to $1999. Or more.

Should I Pay?

The answer is most probably no.

 A legitimate modeling agency should not be asking you to pay for anything upfront.

While a model legitimately needs comp cards, or maybe even a makeover, a legit agency would not ask you to pay for these things.

It's not unheard of for smaller agencies to ask the model to pay the agency back after they start to get work, but the model should not be paying for anything upfront.

You make it sound like a scam. What if it's not?

Let me get this straight: I'm not saying that these agencies are definitely a scam. You're just getting yourself involved in an investment that's.. what's the opposite of wise again?

While some of these agencies offer real work to their models, they also offer the opportunity of becoming a model to anyone who's willing to pay.

What's the possibility of anyone securing a steady supply of jobs, or a job at all, when they have to compete with hordes of model-wannabes from their own agency, as well as models from other agencies?

If you can get the job, you probably deserve a better agency as well.

Let's say it is a scam. So why do people pay these "agencies"?

When these agencies are trying to convince you to join them, they'll probably show you plenty of advertisements and imply that these are actual clients.

The truth is that it is difficult to reject the idea that you could easily be earning thousands just by doing photoshoots. It's tough to reject a job title as glamourous as "Model", or the idea that you're good looking enough to be a model.

(Plus, I know from firsthand experience* that they usually get the models with good looks to convince prospective "clients". Flattering, no?)

Are you saying that all model scouts aren't legit?

The sad truth in Singapore is that they most probably aren't. Most of the reputable modeling agencies in Singapore hire or "import" plenty of foreign models, so I believe that it's much more likely for them to invest their time in them.

Wait, why do you have firsthand experience?!

I'm ashamed to say that I actually attended an interview once! I usually ignore these "scouts", but I was approached by a couple of male models when I was with a friend, and was assured that it'd be a freelance thing.

In my case, I was hoping to score extra income. (I know very well that I don't have the features/face/height, but hey, if any agency really wanted to represent me, it'd be their loss if I fail to get any jobs right!)

The scenario I described in the earlier part of my post played out almost immediately, except that while I was acting like a stick up the arse and questioning interrogating them, my friend actually paid for the "makeover"!!!

Can you imagine how hard it must've been to reject them if you had a friend, physically present, telling you not to and yet you still do? My friend wasn't even interested in becoming a model prior to the interview.

My friend regretted the decision right after we got out of the building, but they refused to refund my friend no matter how many times my friend asked. I was so furious that I was going through all my Media Law notes in my head, ready to threaten them!

Trust me when I say that this experience is bloody embarrassing and I really wouldn't have blogged about this but awareness needs to be raised.

What if I want to be a model?

Then get the scout's card and tell them that you'll call him/her back if you're interested. Do not give them your contact information. And when you get home, google it to death to find out exactly what you're getting yourself into.

I've heard that some of these "scouts" get paid for each name or number they get, so beware if they're very insistent about getting your contact details.

Even if it does seems legit, never attend these interviews alone!

So how legit is the information you gave?

All information was double checked with a friend who was in the industry as a model for quite a few years. She stopped work late last year, so I'm not 100% certain, but I'm pretty confident.

Whatever it is, whatever she told me is definitely more believable than the people at the agency who kept repeating various proverbs such as "Times have changed" and "There is no free lunch in this world".

While I'm blogging from a Singaporean point of view, I believe that such incidents happen all over the world! Readers please beware. ):

If anyone reading this is currently in the industry, please feel free to correct any inaccuracies in this post.

Have times really changed?