Welcome to the Slander Slender Beauty Blog. My name is Julia, and I am a healthy model...
January 2008
Happy New Year!
It's been a great year! I've been attending Scripps College in Claremont, CA, and am majoring
in Women's Studies with an emphasis in writing. I am excited to start this record of my experiences as
a healthy model.
Last year, I was turned down from an agency who told me to drop 15 pounds, or else they wouldn't
sign me. After thinking for a bit, I knew that losing 15 pounds would take some unhealthy tactics,
since I'm already fit and a bit "lanky" compared to the average person. I told them I would rather
look elsewhere.
Now I am with a modeling agency in Santa Monica, CA that does not pressure me to look skinnier.
To protect their privacy, I will not mention their name, but I am so happy to be healthy and free to live
a suitable lifestyle for my body type.
The following blog entries are all true and as accurate as I can recall them! I hope you enjoy
my story and appreciate what I have to say. I truly believe that body image in the modern world is
unfair, unrealistic, and needs to be changed for both men and women around the globe.
Thank you for reading!
~Julia
March 2008
Castings.
As a model, you either dread, enjoy, or get irritated with these. The casting directors
schedule a time and location for you to attend, and line you up with a number of other models.
Sometimes you get to try on some clothes. Sometimes they just take your picture and ask a couple questions.
Sometimes, they make you wait for hours before they're ready to see you, and everyone waits in a
silent waiting room, hoping for a phone to ring or a sneeze to break the tension.
I enjoy making conversation and friendly networking when I have the time. I have met a lot
of really friendly people during these waiting periods, and heard a few stories (of which I'll share
with you) along the way. However, since they see me as their competition, I often don't bother when
they pretend to ignore me. :)
Story #1:
In one of these waiting rooms, I met a 16-year old girl from Orange County. Let's call her "Amy."
Amy was one of those flawless-looking girls, with no acne, no scars, no freckles, and long legs.
As flawless as she seemed, however, she was as thin as a rail. I could see the tendons in her arms, neck, and legs,
and her skull looked larger than normal because her body was so much smaller proportionally.
And her agency was telling her to lose even more weight.
I couldn't believe how normally she went about telling me this fact. Amy was 16 years old,
and already on the skinny side for someone her age.
I decided this shouldn't be normal. The industry needs a push in the right direction.
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