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We love a good Reddit Ask Me Anything session—they’re always insightful, provocative and just a little bit dishy. So of course it caught our attention when earlier this week a retired, 25-year-old fashion model opened up about her experiences in the industry. Going simply by the screenname Dolcenbanana (cute), she explained that her international career, which spanned a total of eight years, brought her “from prestigious shows in Paris to very terrible 20-plus hour catalogues in China.” She shared the ins and outs of her career—from to working with top supermodels to being propositioned for sexual favors. Here are the 13 things we learned about the modeling industry from her AMA.
- Most retired models don’t view the industry negatively. “I am doing the AMA because I don't view the industry as ‘evil’ as a lot of people portray [it as], though [a] business [is] still a business.”
- They work with supermodels all the time, but it doesn’t mean they’re BFF’s. “I met Adriana Lima, but by "met" I mean we worked together on fashion shows, but so did 30 to 40 other girls on any given day. Sometimes you meet some of them because they are from the same agency.”
- Models make fun of all those strange, outrageous designs—just like everyone else. “We joke a lot backstage and sometimes even the fashion show coordinators (the people that organize all the show crew) join in. But of course we don't do in front of the designer or their assistants. Once they are near we are quiet and composed.”
- All the backstage fighting you see on TV dramas is exactly that—TV drama. “It’s always friendly. Traveling around a lot you always know some girls in every show, or you get to know new ones… we all [get] along well, [I’ve] never seen any weird reality TV-style cattish stuff.”
- Models are surrounded by drugs, but no more than anyone else their age. “Sure, models are around drugs, [but] so are any other teenagers that go out to clubs. I know girls that did a lot of drugs, but also know a lot of girls that never touched it. I kept myself mostly out of those circles.”
- They’re not as rich as you think. “I think the secret models don't want you to know is that they are all broke. Sure you make money, but only at the end of your contract in each country (usually two to three months at a time). Meanwhile you get a little allowance that is [barely] enough to take the trains around town.”
- Most expenses are paid for by agencies, but then those expenses are deducted from their paychecks. “They pay for your apartment, weekly allowance, transport, any paperwork needed, etc. At the end of your contract they put on a statement how much you made minus taxes. From that they take away all the expenses and a 20 to 40 percent commission—you get the rest.”
- It’s not all glamorous runway shows and photoshoots, sometimes clients ask them for pretty strange stuff. “In Japan they have wedding show rooms, selling an entire bridal package. I was introduced to my ‘groom’ early in the morning and had to simulate an entire wedding for a group of brides-to-be to see. It included an actual wedding, with my fake bridesmaids and family, cutting a cake, having a first dance, etc. [The] entire nine yards!”
- Many young women are putting their education on hold for a career in modeling. “I managed to finish high school, and it’s more than a lot of people do while modeling. That is the frustrating part, you work so hard for so many years and grow as a person and a professional, but you are still viewed as a 25-year-old with no education and no valid experience.”
- Being propositioned for sexual favors in return for modeling gigs is rare, but it does happen. “I heard those stories, but mainly from girls that meet some dudes and they say they are affiliated [with] a certain place and would get them a job if they did something. From all the clients, photographers and jobs I had through my agency, I have never been asked to do anything inappropriate. Even when I worked jobs that had nudity I made sure it was stated in the job contract and that there was a full crew [present], or else I would've just left.”
- Unfortunately, poor working conditions and long hours do happen. “In countries like Japan, Korea, Taiwan and China, since the locals don't normally speak English, they pick all the girls up in the morning [in a] van with a driver and an interpreter that takes you to all your casting calls. The problem is, sometimes you only have one casting, but other girls have more, [but] you still have to stay all day in the van. Once in Tokyo, I spent so much time in the van or in underground photography studios that I realized I hadn’t seen sunlight (unless [it was] out of the car window) for an entire month.”
- Models eat just like everyone else. “The thing is, most models are teenagers and the reasons they get into this career is because they are that awkward, very skinny girl. Most girls eat everything, like normal people. Of course when you get a little bit older and you start to see those measurements change, you start taking care of what you eat. I just ate very healthy, [I] didn’t drink soft drinks or eat fast food, and [I] cooked most of my meals so I knew what was in it, but nothing crazy.”
- Most models aren’t going to become the next Gisele or Cara. “It's a very good career because it allows you to travel, meet people and learn a lot about yourself, but don't convince yourself that you are going to be famous. A lot of very successful models are still very anonymous. Manage expectations.”
