Is pretty enough?
Teen learns what it takes to be a model
By Susan Young, STAFF WRITER
PAULINA WAS BORN to be a model.
Her mother Anney Daugherty knew it the minute she gazed into those lovely brown eyes on that finely etched face and named her after one of the original supermodels, Paulina Porizkova.
The Livermore girl grew up to look much like her namesake, a beauty reminiscent of "The O.C.'s" Mischa Barton. Anyone who sees the 17-year-old's delicate Eastern European features, olive skin and lithe, 5-foot, 11-inch frame can picture Paulina making it as a covergirl.
But could she?
Is it enough just to be pretty, tall and slender?
In the wake of wannabe shows from "America's Next Top Model" to "American Idol," everyday folks are wondering if they have what it takes for a career in fashion, singing and even dancing. After all, on TV one minute you're an unknown, and the next you're a household name.
So we decided to find out by accompanying Paulina on the start of her quest to become a model.
Paulina, who will be a senior this fall at Livermore High School, keeps trim riding her jumper, Jack of Diamonds, and working with the family's three other horses. She's close to her devoted mom, who supports her dreams of becoming a model.
Often, Paulina helps out at home with her half-sister, Chloe, and half-brother, Nikko. Stepdad Tom Daugherty quietly supports Paulina's plan to become a model.
Paulina and her mom share a love of horses, and she looks like a natural beauty in her tight riding breeches and trendy T-shirts, wearing just a touch of make-up.
"I've always wanted to be a model, and people have told me that they think I could do it, but I'm just not sure," affable Paulina says. "I guess at least I'll find out if I should even try and pursue this."
Her mom Anney agrees.
"I'm glad she's making an effort to see if this is something she can do with her life," Daugherty says. "We'll do whatever it takes to give her a chance at this."
And if she receives only rejection?
"I guess I'll go to college and do something with horses," says Paulina with a smile. "But at least I'll know I gave modeling a shot."
Rules of the game
First lesson: Never pay for acting and modeling lessons unless you just want to do it for the fun of it. Reputable agents do not ask their clients for money.
Many shady outfits will hook up a model with a photographer to take those portfolio shots. More than likely, those photos will cost more than they should because those agencies get a cut of the action.
That being said, being a model is a business. You are the business and you have to act accordingly.
"You need to market yourself, and in order to do that, you need to have certain things," says agent Ryan Lippert, who works for the prestigious Look Model Agency in San Francisco. "You need to have some good photos taken, you need to have some business cards made. Like any other business, there are expenses. You have to spend money, but you have to spend it on the right things."
But Lippert says if a model needs a little guidence in regards to hair and makeup, the agency will provide that at no charge.
There are a number of reputable agencies in the Bay Area. Just check the phone book and call for an appointment. But don't give anyone money for something up front.
Some, such as Look, hold weekly open casting calls. Look requires that its female models be at least 13 years old and 5-7 to 5-11. Male models need to be 15 or older and 5-11 to 6-3. They ask models to bring to the call current snapshots and/or a portfolio. The dress is casual and the wannabe models should wear just light makeup or none at all.
Excited to find out about the Look casting call, Paulina heads to Stoneridge mall in Pleasanton to pick out what she had heard "America's Next Top Model" host Tyra Banks suggested for auditions: nice-fitting jeans, an unadorned top and high heels.
Turns out, that's what Jada Ogden, an agent at Look, also prefers.
"Nothing makes your legs look better than jeans and high heels, although you can also wear a skirt with heels," Ogden says. "And we don't want to see you with makeup. We need to see what your skin looks like and what you look like without makeup."
At trendy Hollister, Paulina navigates through the cramped aisles on her hunt for jeans that fit. Turns out that even size 4 bodies have a hard time finding clothes.
"It's so frustrating," she sighs. "I'll find something I really like, but they never have it in my size."
Finally she selects a tight-fitting pair that flatter her long legs. Her mom watches nearby, volunteering to pick up the pricey tab as part of Paulina's birthday present.
Finding shoes prove to be a much tougher task for Paulina's size 11 feet. She spots the perfect shoes at Nordstrom — Steve Maddens she had been coveting since seeing them in a magazine spread. The "come hither" beige open-toed, sequin sparklers look great — but none are available in her size.
She hits every store in the mall, from Steve Madden to Macy's, but not a single size 11 can be found.
"It's so hard to find shoes in her size," says mom Anney as she sifts through the scant offerings. "If I find a pair she likes, I snap it up."
Mom and daughter settle on two pairs: a black strappy pair and a black pump adorned with embroidered flowers.
The excitment around the shopping trip and newspaper photo shoot were so rough on Paulina that she was sick to her stomach the night before. But the shoot went better than she expected, and Paulina ended up having a good time with the photographer, who eased her into relaxing a bit. By the time she went to her audition at Look, Paulina had mastered her queasy tummy.
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