Becoming a Model-----how old should you be?
By idowrite72
@idowrite72 (2213)
United States
August 3, 2008 1:15am CST
I am asking since my granddaughter is 12 years old, looks much older and is training to be a model. She is fantastic!! My daughter and I brag on her, of course, along with other family members, but she now has a mentor within the modeling agency who is sure that she will go places if she continues to be so serious about becoming a model. He says that she has the poise and the looks to go far and has talked of her going to different places with the talent that she has. How old do you think someone should be to take modeling seriously? I think she isn't ready for the major shows, but I watched her do her first runway show today and it was unbelievable how poised, together, glamourous, beautiful, grownup, "Tyra Bank-like" that she looked. She is African-American/Caucasion mixed with lighter colored eyes that are large and she is about 5'5" tall and could pass for 16. Do you think that she is too young to take this seriously??
1 person likes this
4 responses
@nanciem (1105)
• United States
3 Aug 08
First of al let me say that she sounds like a BEAUTIFUL Girl, I my self have two nephews that are African-American/Caucasion mix.. Most beautiful people if you ask me! But I am Bias... Ok down to the question, please don't hate me for my answer..
I do think 12 years old is too young, I know 13 year olds start their career then.. but geeze.. 12 and even 13 are still babies!
Gosh this is confusing as you don't want her to throw away a chance of a lifteime, but, you don't want her to expect it to be her lifetime...If she is well educated, and will continue to be.. then try it.. she can always stop if it gets to much... But make sure SHE wants to do it, not Mommy, Not Gramma..she has to want to do it ya know? And I mean this with all Due respect! I wih her TONS of luck in whatever she chooses!
@idowrite72 (2213)
• United States
3 Aug 08
Thanks so much for the comments and there are so many other things that mom is making go right along with it. I'm not sure where it started, but it is definitely HER interest and she is putting her own effort into it. Let me tell you how wonderful she is, and this isn't just Nana bragging. She almost always makes the Honor Roll at school, she is a cheerleader and on a competition squad that has always taken 1st or 2nd places when they have competed the last 3 years,she plays softball....started at slow pitch and ended with fast pitch and was the short stop this season, and she plays basketball and is a center. She is looking forward to playing volleyball next year in junior high. She is very athletic, very girly, at times and very active and involved and well-liked. I have a grand-niece who talks of being just like her when she gets bigger......she is also African American/Caucasian mixed. Thanks so much for the TONS of luck!
@nanciem (1105)
• United States
3 Aug 08
Ok so.. if you repeat this I will deny it! LOl, You have brought tears to my eyes.
I don't care if you are Nona, nana , Genar what ever.. this is your baby girl... and if it what she wants.. we should entertain that.. but we have to be careful.. I know my neices are absolutley beautiful girls , same mix (hope that is ok to say, tired of typing all those letters)... We have to be sooo careful, my nephews also. I wish her so much luck.. and I know you and her mom will just watch out for her ok?.. They are too precious... I hope to see her soon (well in a few years, I still think she is young) LOL. I hope to see her on Americas Next Top Model!.. Good Luck and Tons of Good Luck hugs! Wish her luck for me.. LOL no she doesn't know me, but she sounds like a beautiful persons, as well as you do! Good Luck!
1 person likes this
@youless (112178)
• Guangzhou, China
6 Aug 08
I think that it's better for a person to be at least 18 years old so that he/she can consider to be a model. Because I still think the education is important for everyone. And that's better to finish the essential education so that you can choose what you want to be in the future. Especially being a model seems to have a short career time. They have to consider what they will be after being models.
I love China
@idowrite72 (2213)
• United States
19 Sep 08
Her education is still the first thing she has to deal with. The modeling has to be secondary to her schooling. She does well in school and then does the modeling, but she hasn't really started it yet and just turned 13. She is just getting started and is trying to get some paying jobs. She needs to get herself established first. Thank you for responding.
@MatejScorp13 (926)
• Croatia (Hrvatska)
4 Aug 08
give us some pics so we can judge it ... just kidding ;)
i think that 12y is too young, in my opinioun the best age to start is 16, in that age you know something about the real life (world) and you are some kind of "older man" and not when you are 12y when you are just a little kid who still needs to go to school and spend his time playing with friends
im not say that she quit it, but just saying that in my thinking it will be better to wait and prepare for those that come
1 person likes this
@idowrite72 (2213)
• United States
6 Aug 08
I think if she wasn't so mature for her age, it would be entirely different. But she is mature and has a very mature outlook on things. I am not saying that she is grown, but her demeanor is very mature and no one ever thinks that she is only 12.....almost 13......when they see her or are around her. She carries her little sister and people think she is her baby! Her mother and I have both told people that she is her sister!! She is being told that school must come first. Thanks for your comments.
@wilsongoddard (7291)
• United States
3 Aug 08
Modeling is a very tough business, and 12 is a very young and vulnerable age.
Personally, being a bit cynical, I would keep an eye on any male mentors, photographers or others who pump up your granddaughter about how gorgeous and mature she is. She sounds beautiful, and you need to keep an eye on men who would "groom" her for their purposes.
If she really wants to model, that is great. However, keep a good eye on her until she is legally an adult; she needs a strong familial unit to keep her from drowning in some of the stuff that goes on in the industry.
Also, make sure that she works on other aspects beyond her looks. Models generally don't have long careers, and she needs to have developed some useful skills to survive once her career is over-- or if it never really takes off.
@idowrite72 (2213)
• United States
6 Aug 08
Her mother has stressed this to her and she has seen part of this already. She has a modeling thing coming up and couldn't understand why the hairdressers and make-up people were getting paid and they weren't. Her mentor is very much gay and I am sure he would be livid if anything happened to any of the girls AND no one would want to be around her mother if they tried anything with her. Trust me, I've known her her entire life!! But I do understand what you are saying and being so young it is easier for someone to try to take advantage. Her mother has asked if I would go with her if she isn't available.....like in the morning I am taking her to her classes. She will be very well protected. Thanks for your comments. Oh, one more thing. Her education is the number one priority right now and mom is seeing to that.
