There I was. Just another regular old night on the hotel stomping grounds bringing up check-in after check-in as the onslaught of arriving guests wouldn’t let up.
I was minding my own business, at least trying to mind my own business, because all of the guests I was checking in were the hottest girls in the world! And when I say hottest girls in the world, I actually mean the hottest girls in the world.
Every year, FORD Models hosts The Supermodel of the World contest in NYC. Approximately 50 gals, aged 16 to 21, are scouted and plucked from countries around the world to compete in a week of events in order to crown The Supermodel of the World. This isn’t Project Runway, people: This is the real deal.
The top prize typically takes $500,000.00 home, a contract with FORD and, of course, an almost guaranteed career. Runner ups do well, too, with prize money ranging from $125,000.00 to $250,000.00.
Well, there I was, minding my own business, assisting girl after girl from the curb, to the elevator, to their rooms. Eventually one of the coordinators on FORD’s side spotted me and approached me.
He was an attractive, tall, guy with long, blonde hair, and rocking the finest clothes fashion had to offer.
He struts over to me.
“Thanks for all of your help. You guys are awesome!” he says
“No worries. It’s a nice treat to you tell you the truth,” I reply
“Yeah. Hanging out with the most beautiful women, ain’t bad. Is it?” he smirks
“No it is not. So, do you do this every year?” I ask
“Every year. I fly in from Paris after flying all over the world finding these ladies.” He says.
“WOW! You live in Paris? And your job is to find gorgeous women around the world. That’s insane,” I shout
“Yeah. It is nice. It’s harder than it sounds, though.”
I’m thinking, “Is this guy insane? Scouting women for one of the best agencies in the world. Flying from country to country, meeting all of those people, learning all of those new customs. That’s the greatest job in the world!”
“Have you ever thought about modeling?”
The question lands like the weight of the world has just been thrown on my shoulders. Here is the man that has made so many dreams come true. And he’s now asking me personally, about the very industry he has mastered.
“Umm, yeah, a little.”
“Well, you should. You have a great look. I think you would be great.”
Now, I’m on cloud nine. What if I make a million dollars? What if I fly around the world modeling? What if? What if? What if?
“Really? Well, what do you think I should do?” I ask.
“Do you have any pictures?”
“Sure.”
“Slide them under the door of 1622. I’ll check them out and get back to you. And no nude ones.”
We both laugh.
“You got it. Thanks so much. Really. Thank you.”
I bid him a good night and then rush throughout the hotel telling my fellow bellmen, scouring my bag to find some pics. All upcoming models and actors tend to have such things ready for such occasions.
Just my luck, I had a few shots from a recent test shoot. I delivered them under the door and said a prayer to the heavens, “PLEASE!”
Two weeks later, I received a call from, FORD, requesting a meeting. On that fateful day, I was signed to FORD models and began a 4-year stint modeling that proved to be some of the best times of my life and the most successful financial part of my life.
And I owe it all to being at the right place at the right time. And to the best FORD scout out there. Thank you. He was so down to Earth and still is this day.
Modeling is a wild business. There are so many dirtbags involved with it. It’s scary! But FORD was like a family. Every agent to accountant to front desk greeter to the models were cool. It was one wild adventure that I cherish.
Leading up to this point in my life. I had been trying to get an agent for acting and modeling on my days off with no luck. I was down in the dumps. Lifting bags after acquiring a college education. All I could think of was, What if I fail? What if I make no money? What if I do this for the rest of my life?
And out of the dark, came just what I needed.
Who knows what may come to me tomorrow…
Moral of the Story: No Matter how hard you think your life is or the fact that you don’t think you are making any tread-way, that special present may be just around the corner.