CONTENDER #1: KOA
Hailing from Kauai, Hawaii, Koa took a break from his career as a professional surfer to fly to New York and be shot by Steven Klein for the VMAN/Ford Model Search. “I’m sitting in a robe right now and feeling pretty luxurious!” the hopeful said while speaking by phone from set, where he participated in an eye-opening and possibly life-changing photo session with one of the world’s most influential lensmen. Here, he ponders his potential future as a supermodel.
Why do you want to be a model?
KOA My older brother, Travis Smith, is a model, and he’s been doing it for five years or so. I’ve followed him very closely. I see what he does and I’ve always kind of wanted to get into it, and now, it’s happening!
What do you do now?
K I’m a professional surfer.
How does surfing compare to modeling?
K I surf for the adrenaline—it’s a huge adrenaline rush and while I’ve only done a couple of shoots here and there, I’d say you get some gnarly adrenaline from modeling. In that way, they’re surprisingly similar.
What would you sacrifice to become a top male model?
K My pinky finger, but I’d probably need that…
What would be your dream modeling gig?
K An exclusive contract with Calvin Klein or something sounds like a dream.
What’s the biggest draw of the modeling life?
K I think it’s probably the girl models! But really, I think it’s the endless excitement that comes from never knowing what will happen.
