Hello everyone, it's with so much joy and happiness I announce to you that modelsdiarys turns 1 today Dec 24th. Yay!!!! Modelsdiarys is just one year and I must say, a lot of feat has been achieved within this year. So many people sending in Facebook messages and emails telling me what a good job I'm doing. People calling me to tell me they want to work with me. Models sending me personal messages as to how the blog has really helped them and open their understanding as to what modelling is really about. I want to say a big thank you for your feedbacks, your comments your messages and all. Without you, my blog won't be where it is today. Ever since I started this blog, I have experienced no form of discouragement and little or no challenges. Everything has been going on smoothly. I bless God for that. When I started this blog, I had no clue about what running a blog is all about. Everything I do on this blog, I do it on my own without no one telling me how to do it. Even the posts I put up, everything comes from my head, I don't do copy and paste. It's God all the way.
I want to give special thanks to God who brought me this far, there were times I almost gave up, times when I don't put up anything for weeks because there is nothing new to write or because I have plenty on my plate at that moment, but God gave me the strength to move on. I want to thank Mrs Joan Okorodudu of Isis Models for her support and encouragement, she is one of my driving force, always telling me how good the blog idea is about and all. I pray God help you reach greater heights. I also want to thank Abiola Oromolade for also giving me tips and words of advice once in a while that helps my blog in a way, you are wonderful. I want to thank group members of Model Scout Platform on whatsapp for their support and every other group I share my blog post on whatsapp and Facebook. Thanks for reading and sharing. Finally, I want to thank everyone who I disturb with bbm messages and Facebook messages containing my blog post, everyone who likes my links and shares them, instagram likers, trust me you guys keep me going. And to the constant readers of my blog, without you, my blog won't reach 10,000 views. God bless you and merry Christmas in advance....
Thursday 24 December 2015
Sunday 6 December 2015
The #ModelsnotSlaves campaign
Hello guys. How has your weekend been so far?
Today I'm not going to be talking about any job casting or modelling tips or bring you gist about what goes on in the modelling industry, but I'm going to talk about something we models should be strongly involved in.
Some days ago, a Model messaged me about the experience he had at a just concluded supposedly big fashion show. He told me that he went for the casting and was picked, then he and other models were asked to come every week for rehearsals. For a month, these models go all the way to Ikoyi for the rehersals. Then one day, the organiser of this fashion show asked the Models to share flyers on the street of Lagos, in the hot sun, they did. These models were even given tickets to sell by the organisers and on the day of the show, some models were asked to help in arrangement of the hall. After the show, the Models received a text to come and collect their pay. When they got there , guess what they were paid, 5000 thousand naira, for those who sold tickets, 10,000 naira. I asked another Model who walked for the show, he confirmed it.
Models don't you think such treatments has been going on for too long. Don't you think it's time we fight for what is ours and put a stop to this barbaric acts. Some models and I have been talking about starting a campaign for a while now. We call it #modelnotslave. Now I'm opening this to all other models too. Let's say no to maltreatment, let's say no to models being asked to sell tickets for shows, let's say no to cheating, let's say no to models being paid little compared to work done.
So here is how it's going to work, you get a cardboard and write #modelsnotslaves on it, take a picture of you holding the cardboard with the words on it then upload it on Instagram, Facebook and twitter. For your caption you put your name, reasons why models should not be treated as slaves and put the hashtag #modelsnotslaves. While posting the picture, make sure you tag modelling agencies, top nigerian models, officiallindaikeji, bellanaija and fashion magazines like wow, arise magazine, complete fashion and so on to reach a wide audience. models let's join hands and do this together, let's cooperate and give modelling in Nigeria a new beginning. Let this campaign be the beginning of a new era in the nigerian modelling industry. It is for our own good. Be the change you want the world to see. Thank you
Please don't forget to follow @modelsdiarys on Instagram, like Models Diarys on Facebook and follow our bbm channel C001A0EE9
Today I'm not going to be talking about any job casting or modelling tips or bring you gist about what goes on in the modelling industry, but I'm going to talk about something we models should be strongly involved in.
Some days ago, a Model messaged me about the experience he had at a just concluded supposedly big fashion show. He told me that he went for the casting and was picked, then he and other models were asked to come every week for rehearsals. For a month, these models go all the way to Ikoyi for the rehersals. Then one day, the organiser of this fashion show asked the Models to share flyers on the street of Lagos, in the hot sun, they did. These models were even given tickets to sell by the organisers and on the day of the show, some models were asked to help in arrangement of the hall. After the show, the Models received a text to come and collect their pay. When they got there , guess what they were paid, 5000 thousand naira, for those who sold tickets, 10,000 naira. I asked another Model who walked for the show, he confirmed it.
Models don't you think such treatments has been going on for too long. Don't you think it's time we fight for what is ours and put a stop to this barbaric acts. Some models and I have been talking about starting a campaign for a while now. We call it #modelnotslave. Now I'm opening this to all other models too. Let's say no to maltreatment, let's say no to models being asked to sell tickets for shows, let's say no to cheating, let's say no to models being paid little compared to work done.
So here is how it's going to work, you get a cardboard and write #modelsnotslaves on it, take a picture of you holding the cardboard with the words on it then upload it on Instagram, Facebook and twitter. For your caption you put your name, reasons why models should not be treated as slaves and put the hashtag #modelsnotslaves. While posting the picture, make sure you tag modelling agencies, top nigerian models, officiallindaikeji, bellanaija and fashion magazines like wow, arise magazine, complete fashion and so on to reach a wide audience. models let's join hands and do this together, let's cooperate and give modelling in Nigeria a new beginning. Let this campaign be the beginning of a new era in the nigerian modelling industry. It is for our own good. Be the change you want the world to see. Thank you
Please don't forget to follow @modelsdiarys on Instagram, like Models Diarys on Facebook and follow our bbm channel C001A0EE9
Friday 4 December 2015
Dirty Little Secrets about the Nigerian Modelling Industry
Hello All. How Are you doing.
Today, I am going to spread some so called female Model's dirty laundry outside. I am going to talk about the things some girls do And the extent they go all in the name of I want to be a Model.
Sometimes ago, on a WhatsApp group created strictly for models, we were talking about these dirty little secrets about the modelling industry in Nigeria. Some people shared some really amazing stories about how some girls are desperate all in the name of ‘i want to be on billboards and calendars.’
One shared a story on how he sent a girl to a casting for a calendar job. The pay is 300k. So the guy that was supposed to give the calendar job asked the girl to sleep with him, so the girl now called the guy that sent her for the casting and told him this this this happened. The guy told her its her choice. Really, you go for a casting and a guy ask you to sleep with him and you had to confirm from someone if you should. Are you a mumu ni? Please who birth you? Do you know this guy before? do you know how many girls he has slept with? do you know if he is hiv positive? Do you know if there is something more to him asking you for sex? Do you know people's life and destiny have been destroyed through having sex with random guys? Let’s even leave that Aside.
Another story. This one, there was a casting for female models for a calendar job which was to hold at an hotel. When the Models got there, the person who called for the casting asked the Models to stripe one after the other and they all did. Please, what planet are you guys from! don’t you have sense? don’t you know your body is the temple of God and it as to be kept as such. It did not even end there, this same girls went ahead to meet the guy the next day and still got no jobs. What a pity. After all the stripping, are you are a stripper?
Another one says, at a fashion show, the organiser slept with all the girls that were supposed to walk for the show. He said that is how he gets his payment.
A guy also told us of how he was coming from a show one night and he met a girl on the road crying. He asked her what was wrong, she narrated how a guy called her to come down all the way from the East for a modelling job. There was an arrangement between the girl and the guy who invited her over that accommodation and transport fare will be taken care of, but the girl has to sleep at the guy’s house since he doesn’t have money to pay for hotel accommodation. After she got to Lagos, she ate, changed and slept. At 1:30 am, the guy demanded for sex, the girl did not give in, he kicked her out of the house. I’m not going to applaud the girl for not giving in to his advances if she was truly telling the truth, but what I want to know is why would she agree to sleep in the guy's house in the first place. Someone you are meeting for the first time. What were you expecting? That he will leave you in peace and not ask for sex. Do you think there are good guys in Lagos here? Keep deceiving yourself. When someone tells you to travel somewhere for a job, they must be ready to pay your hotel fees or nothing. Please be smart. What if this guy was a ritualist? Ehn?
Well this type of stories and experiences are not limited to females only, guys to are involved. Here is one experience. One time, a gay guy here was organizing a show, I’m cool with them O, I don’t have a problem with them, as long as they respect themselves. Someone contacted me for him saying he needed models, we all met him, took polaroids and he selected his final models. After that day, he created a whatsapp group for us, and then he messaged me privately. Then one day, he said he wants to have sex with me, with all due respect i told him no peacefully, he said I’m claiming celebrity for him, but i explained myself in a cool way, this is business, and he kept on forcing, even when i go for fittings and rehearsals he tries funny stuffs and i bounce him until he decided to let me be. Unfortunately for me, the day we were suppose to meet, so the bus can take us to the venue of the fashion show since it was a bit far from Accra, I got there, I called him, he picked and told me his models are complete and they have gone so i should go home, he is not using me anymore. That was the most painful moment in my modelling career, i was hurt, but i didn’t mind, because we both gained and we both lost.
Another male model told us how he needed investors for his project and he approached a Nigerian male designer. The male designer asked that they should have then that only then will he help him. On the day of the launch of his project, the designer approached him again and asked to reconsider. He stood his ground.
I want to plead with you, if you belong to any of the instances I mentioned above, stop making modelling look bad for the ones who are really models. Please stop spoiling business for us. You are the ones giving modelling a bad name. As a Model, you have to give yourself respect. You don’t go about having sex with random guys, you don’t go around letting people use you and walk all over you, you don’t go on Instagram posting half naked pictures (except nude shoots) all in the name of ‘i want someone to discover me.’ Wo if you think posting such pictures will attract the right people, you are wrong, you will only get sex preverts and predator’s attention. Ok have you gone through the Instagram pages of Nigerian top models? Do you see them post sultry photos? do you see them put up twerk videos. You only see professional pictures to attract the right crowd or is it not because of these top models you guys want to Model. Even their nude shoots are done tastefully and in a classy artistic way not in sexy, sultry manner like you are inviting a guy to come and have sex with you for free. Please as a model, you have to differentiate between modelling because of the passion and taking it as a career and modelling because of the fame or doing it as a hobby. If it is because of the fame, please be ready to sleep with as many guys as possible of which at the end, you won’t get the fame. Do you think these top models you look up to now, they started modelling because of the fame or because it’s an hobby? Their passion and hardwork brought them the fame and the money.
Please, if you are a Model and your social media accounts do not speak well of you as a responsible lady, please stop making other models Look bad. Your character is what is making people in Nigeria think models are prostitutes. And another thing please, any casting information you receive, make sure you verify before you go. I heard some girls went for a job casting at Egbeda and were raped. You can’t know which is real and which is fake, so to be safe, go for the ones which you know are legit. It is not every job casting you should go for. Have you guys notice I don’t put up just any kind of job casting up on the blog. Even Agencies open casting calls, I’m very careful with that. So you guys, make sure you respect yourself and don’t fall to sexual advances all in the name if ‘i want to make it as a model by force by fire.’ Trust me, it doesn’t help, it will backfire. Don’t sell yourself cheap for that calendar job, you never know one day, you will be the Face of a big brand and you will be on magazines, calendars and billboards. Trust me, this can only be achieved through hardwork and prayer.
Photo credit: @asikoartiste
So that’s all for today. Please don’t forget to follow @modelsdiarys on Instagram and Facebook. Also subscribe to Modelsdiarys bbm channel C001A0EE9. Cheers
Today, I am going to spread some so called female Model's dirty laundry outside. I am going to talk about the things some girls do And the extent they go all in the name of I want to be a Model.
Sometimes ago, on a WhatsApp group created strictly for models, we were talking about these dirty little secrets about the modelling industry in Nigeria. Some people shared some really amazing stories about how some girls are desperate all in the name of ‘i want to be on billboards and calendars.’
One shared a story on how he sent a girl to a casting for a calendar job. The pay is 300k. So the guy that was supposed to give the calendar job asked the girl to sleep with him, so the girl now called the guy that sent her for the casting and told him this this this happened. The guy told her its her choice. Really, you go for a casting and a guy ask you to sleep with him and you had to confirm from someone if you should. Are you a mumu ni? Please who birth you? Do you know this guy before? do you know how many girls he has slept with? do you know if he is hiv positive? Do you know if there is something more to him asking you for sex? Do you know people's life and destiny have been destroyed through having sex with random guys? Let’s even leave that Aside.
Another story. This one, there was a casting for female models for a calendar job which was to hold at an hotel. When the Models got there, the person who called for the casting asked the Models to stripe one after the other and they all did. Please, what planet are you guys from! don’t you have sense? don’t you know your body is the temple of God and it as to be kept as such. It did not even end there, this same girls went ahead to meet the guy the next day and still got no jobs. What a pity. After all the stripping, are you are a stripper?
Another one says, at a fashion show, the organiser slept with all the girls that were supposed to walk for the show. He said that is how he gets his payment.
A guy also told us of how he was coming from a show one night and he met a girl on the road crying. He asked her what was wrong, she narrated how a guy called her to come down all the way from the East for a modelling job. There was an arrangement between the girl and the guy who invited her over that accommodation and transport fare will be taken care of, but the girl has to sleep at the guy’s house since he doesn’t have money to pay for hotel accommodation. After she got to Lagos, she ate, changed and slept. At 1:30 am, the guy demanded for sex, the girl did not give in, he kicked her out of the house. I’m not going to applaud the girl for not giving in to his advances if she was truly telling the truth, but what I want to know is why would she agree to sleep in the guy's house in the first place. Someone you are meeting for the first time. What were you expecting? That he will leave you in peace and not ask for sex. Do you think there are good guys in Lagos here? Keep deceiving yourself. When someone tells you to travel somewhere for a job, they must be ready to pay your hotel fees or nothing. Please be smart. What if this guy was a ritualist? Ehn?
Well this type of stories and experiences are not limited to females only, guys to are involved. Here is one experience. One time, a gay guy here was organizing a show, I’m cool with them O, I don’t have a problem with them, as long as they respect themselves. Someone contacted me for him saying he needed models, we all met him, took polaroids and he selected his final models. After that day, he created a whatsapp group for us, and then he messaged me privately. Then one day, he said he wants to have sex with me, with all due respect i told him no peacefully, he said I’m claiming celebrity for him, but i explained myself in a cool way, this is business, and he kept on forcing, even when i go for fittings and rehearsals he tries funny stuffs and i bounce him until he decided to let me be. Unfortunately for me, the day we were suppose to meet, so the bus can take us to the venue of the fashion show since it was a bit far from Accra, I got there, I called him, he picked and told me his models are complete and they have gone so i should go home, he is not using me anymore. That was the most painful moment in my modelling career, i was hurt, but i didn’t mind, because we both gained and we both lost.
Another male model told us how he needed investors for his project and he approached a Nigerian male designer. The male designer asked that they should have then that only then will he help him. On the day of the launch of his project, the designer approached him again and asked to reconsider. He stood his ground.
I want to plead with you, if you belong to any of the instances I mentioned above, stop making modelling look bad for the ones who are really models. Please stop spoiling business for us. You are the ones giving modelling a bad name. As a Model, you have to give yourself respect. You don’t go about having sex with random guys, you don’t go around letting people use you and walk all over you, you don’t go on Instagram posting half naked pictures (except nude shoots) all in the name of ‘i want someone to discover me.’ Wo if you think posting such pictures will attract the right people, you are wrong, you will only get sex preverts and predator’s attention. Ok have you gone through the Instagram pages of Nigerian top models? Do you see them post sultry photos? do you see them put up twerk videos. You only see professional pictures to attract the right crowd or is it not because of these top models you guys want to Model. Even their nude shoots are done tastefully and in a classy artistic way not in sexy, sultry manner like you are inviting a guy to come and have sex with you for free. Please as a model, you have to differentiate between modelling because of the passion and taking it as a career and modelling because of the fame or doing it as a hobby. If it is because of the fame, please be ready to sleep with as many guys as possible of which at the end, you won’t get the fame. Do you think these top models you look up to now, they started modelling because of the fame or because it’s an hobby? Their passion and hardwork brought them the fame and the money.
Please, if you are a Model and your social media accounts do not speak well of you as a responsible lady, please stop making other models Look bad. Your character is what is making people in Nigeria think models are prostitutes. And another thing please, any casting information you receive, make sure you verify before you go. I heard some girls went for a job casting at Egbeda and were raped. You can’t know which is real and which is fake, so to be safe, go for the ones which you know are legit. It is not every job casting you should go for. Have you guys notice I don’t put up just any kind of job casting up on the blog. Even Agencies open casting calls, I’m very careful with that. So you guys, make sure you respect yourself and don’t fall to sexual advances all in the name if ‘i want to make it as a model by force by fire.’ Trust me, it doesn’t help, it will backfire. Don’t sell yourself cheap for that calendar job, you never know one day, you will be the Face of a big brand and you will be on magazines, calendars and billboards. Trust me, this can only be achieved through hardwork and prayer.
Photo credit: @asikoartiste
So that’s all for today. Please don’t forget to follow @modelsdiarys on Instagram and Facebook. Also subscribe to Modelsdiarys bbm channel C001A0EE9. Cheers
Tuesday 17 November 2015
Zahara Model Management's Open Casting Call
There is going to be a open casting call in Lagos by Zahara Model Management on the 20th of November 2015. Venue: Troy Lounge, 6 and 6A Maroko Foreshore, V.I.(it is next to Oriental Hotel. All models must come wearing black trousers with a black tank top or shirt. Female models must be up to 5'8 in height and male models must be up to 5'11.
Note: models must not be signed to any agency.
Wednesday 11 November 2015
Pearl Look Nigeria 2016 Competition
The Pearl Look Nigeria competition is back.
You don't have to be a professional model before you can register.
This event has been set up in such a way that each contestant participating in the competition will be trained and ready to face the challenges of modelling industry.The finalist will undergo intense training on catwalk, poise and style.
How to register...
visit www.pearllook.com, click on runway model, read the terms and conditions and proceed to register. Download the application forms from pages 1- 5 and print. Please fill in these forms using blue or black ink and block capitals after printing,submit these forms during casting.
Read pages 3-5 of the application forms to see the casting requirements and some important information.
Please use a laptop or desktop computer, you might not be able to download on your mobile phones.
Our last event,all contestants got free trip to South Africa for boot camp, here is an opportunity for you to join the next trip.
Winner get International modeling contracts in Johannesburg, Milan and New York.
Casting dates:
21 November, 2015| Benin-city: Play House. 72 Okhoro Road, Benin City, Edo State.
27 November, 2015| Port Harcourt: Lesuka Event Centre. Peter Odili Road,Trans Amadi.
12 December, 2015| Lagos State: Venue to be announced soon...
Should you require any further clarification, please call me on 08098809090 or 07057111157
Registration closes November 17, 2015
Follow us on instagram@
Source: pearl look's official facebook page
You don't have to be a professional model before you can register.
This event has been set up in such a way that each contestant participating in the competition will be trained and ready to face the challenges of modelling industry.The finalist will undergo intense training on catwalk, poise and style.
How to register...
visit www.pearllook.com, click on runway model, read the terms and conditions and proceed to register. Download the application forms from pages 1- 5 and print. Please fill in these forms using blue or black ink and block capitals after printing,submit these forms during casting.
Read pages 3-5 of the application forms to see the casting requirements and some important information.
Please use a laptop or desktop computer, you might not be able to download on your mobile phones.
Our last event,all contestants got free trip to South Africa for boot camp, here is an opportunity for you to join the next trip.
Winner get International modeling contracts in Johannesburg, Milan and New York.
Casting dates:
21 November, 2015| Benin-city: Play House. 72 Okhoro Road, Benin City, Edo State.
27 November, 2015| Port Harcourt: Lesuka Event Centre. Peter Odili Road,Trans Amadi.
12 December, 2015| Lagos State: Venue to be announced soon...
Should you require any further clarification, please call me on 08098809090 or 07057111157
Registration closes November 17, 2015
Follow us on instagram@
Source: pearl look's official facebook page
Saturday 7 November 2015
Kinabuti and Pulse.ng's Dare2Dream casting dates
Hey everyone, the 2nd edition of the Kinabuti and the pulse.ng's dare2dream is back. Last year's winner Tolu Balogun took home half a million naira, works for 'Kinabuti' a fashion brand for Nigerian women and she is successful in her modelling career
So if you are a young Model who dreams of becoming successful one day in her choosen field or career, then this is for you because it is sort of an empowerment program for young ladies to achieve their dreams.
So have you got talent for singing, dancing, fashion styling or presenting and are you between the ages of 18 and 25 years? Then you stand a chance of winning the second edition of Kinabuti and Pulse.ng’s Dare2Dream!
Casting and selections holding at;
November 16 – 18, 2015: University of Lagos.
November 19 – 21, 2015: University of Abuja.
November 23 -25: University of Port Harcourt
Come with your natural hair, black top, black jeans, heels and lets Dare2Dream.
This initiative is sponsored by FCMB
Source.: pulse.ng
Casting and selections holding at;
November 16 – 18, 2015: University of Lagos.
November 19 – 21, 2015: University of Abuja.
November 23 -25: University of Port Harcourt
Come with your natural hair, black top, black jeans, heels and lets Dare2Dream.
This initiative is sponsored by FCMB
Source.: pulse.ng
Thursday 29 October 2015
PRESS RELEASE: Fourwall Magazine Launches its brand new magazine
Fourwall Magazine will be officially launching its first issue in print and online on the 8th of November 2015. Fourwall Magazine is a refreshingly bold magazine poised to bring the best lifestyle and entertainment guide to Nigeria, Benin Republic and the surrounding areas.
With exclusive interviews and features
from both local and international icons crossing the spectrum of models, fashion, music and young talents to name a few, this new publication will bring its readers closer to the affluent lifestyle that they wish to achieve.
Geared towards the active, fashionable, career focused individual aged between 18 and 25, Fourwall Magazine aims is to be the most informative source for those aspiring to achieve their goals and live a successful lifestyle. Readers can expect to find in-depth articles and columns pertaining to fashion, entertainment, education, career advancement, health & fitness and much more.
Following positive feedback after the release of sample issue, Fourwall Magazine will be launching to appeal to socially active individuals across a wide range of ethnic
backgrounds and social circles. 10,000 copies of Fourwall Magazine will be distributed for free via a network of handpicked and approved retail outlets, salons, hotels and nightlife venues across Nigeria and Benin Republic.
An online version of the magazine will be available on Apple and Android devices.
For Advert & Sponsorship:
Emmanuel Abazu
Editor in chief
+2347062445649, +2348030505877
Fourwallmagazine@yahoo.com
With exclusive interviews and features
from both local and international icons crossing the spectrum of models, fashion, music and young talents to name a few, this new publication will bring its readers closer to the affluent lifestyle that they wish to achieve.
Geared towards the active, fashionable, career focused individual aged between 18 and 25, Fourwall Magazine aims is to be the most informative source for those aspiring to achieve their goals and live a successful lifestyle. Readers can expect to find in-depth articles and columns pertaining to fashion, entertainment, education, career advancement, health & fitness and much more.
Following positive feedback after the release of sample issue, Fourwall Magazine will be launching to appeal to socially active individuals across a wide range of ethnic
backgrounds and social circles. 10,000 copies of Fourwall Magazine will be distributed for free via a network of handpicked and approved retail outlets, salons, hotels and nightlife venues across Nigeria and Benin Republic.
An online version of the magazine will be available on Apple and Android devices.
For Advert & Sponsorship:
Emmanuel Abazu
Editor in chief
+2347062445649, +2348030505877
Fourwallmagazine@yahoo.com
Saturday 17 October 2015
The Beth Model Academy
Beth model academy's 4 weeks model intensive training is for every boy and girl whether he or she aspires to become a professional model or perfecting herself/himself in confidence on or off the runway.This priceless experience is filled with model etiquette 101 that will give you the necessary tools in becoming a successful fashion/commercial model or bring out the supermodel within.
The workshop begins with an industry expert telling it how it is. You will get advice on breaking into the business, finding your brand, what agents expect from new faces, individual make-overs, depicting the commercial and high fashion markets, runway training, confidence, camera angles, portfolio development, posing and much more.
Our celebrity make-up artists will take you on a journey behind the scenes into learning high fashion make up application for your very own photoshoots. A supermodel will train you in front of the camera on angles and posing techniques, that will make you feel comfortable and confident.
Wednesday 14 October 2015
Casting for Nigeria's Next Super Model Season 9
Models are invited to the final casting of the Nigeria's next super model contest which is set to hold on 17th October, 2015.
The event which has produced top models who have walked on major runways across the world like the Johannesburg fashion week, Milan fashion week, Paris fashion weeks, new York fashion week, London fashion week to mention just a few.
The Nigeria's next super model is no doubt the most prestigious modelling contest in the continent and a proudly Nigeria contest that has made impact in the world of fashion modelling.
This year the 9th car will be given away to the 9th girl whose career will automatically start internationally.
3 top agencies in the world will be on ground to find that new face.
Date : 17th Oct, 2015
Venue: Studio 24, 120 awolowo Road ikoyi
Time: 9am
Venue: Studio 24, 120 awolowo Road ikoyi
Time: 9am
Sunday 11 October 2015
Modelling Contracts and Agency; What The Law Says About It
Hello everyone, this is a continuation of my last post. Please read, learn and enjoy.
Consideration
Another element of a valid contract is consideration. What consideration basically talks about is that there must be an exchange of promises or of a promise for an act. Something of value in the eyes of the Law must be given for a promise in order to make it enforceable as a contract. What this simply means is that for a person who is a party to a contract be entitled to sue another person who is also a party to the same contract, he must show that he contributed to the agreement.
A valuable consideration in the eye of the Law may consist of some right, interest, profit or benefit to be enjoyed by a party to a contract or some loss or responsibility given suffered, given or undertaken by the other. For example, I talked about agency fees. Standard agencies do not ask models for agency fees but instead invest in their models, book them for jobs and get the money invested back after the Model is paid for the job. The money initially invested by the agency is some sort of loss or responsibility, so therefore, that is known as consideration. The money that was initially invested on the Models for shoots, to create a portfolio and comp card although I don’t think money is spent on getting models jobs is like some sort of benefit or profit to the Models. So if an agency wants to prove that there was indeed a valid contract, he just needs to show that some amount was spent on you initially. So consideration is basically one party to a contract enjoying some benefit while the other party suffers some loss or shoulders some responsibility.
There are certain instances where there is in fact no consideration even though it looks like it. This is what is know as failure of consideration. For example, an agency promises to book a model for jobs, the agency fails to do so, so therefore, there is no consideration. Why? Because the agency who made the promise did not in fact carry out any act in fulfilment of its promise. Although there are certain instances where a promise is made by a person to another although no act is required to be carried out by the other party a promise was made to.
Another instance of failure of consideration is where the parties to the contract are required to do some things as stated out in the contract and one of the parties is yet to fulfil his part of the agreement. For example, an agency when you signed the contract asked you to lose some pounds or cut your hair which is clearly stated in the agreement. The Model refuses to do so and the agency refused to book the Models for jobs. The Model cannot subsequently sue the agency for not getting him jobs because the Model is yet to fulfil his part of the contract of which the agency can only be liable when the Model does his part of the agreement and therefore there is no valid contract.
Now we are going to consider Adequacy of Consideration. In the absence of fraud, duress, force, misrepresentation, the consideration agreed by the two parties is adequate in the eyes of the Law. For example if the contract contains a term that says a Model shall get 60% of every income made by him from jobs and the agency gets 40%, so far the agency did not force you to sign the contract, there was nothing fishy about the agreement, the term was in plain and clear language, the Model cannot later come around and say the 60/40 cut is cheating, it is not enough.... For example, the job you were booked for is 20,000, and the percentage you get is 60%, that is like 12,000 naira. So when you calculate all the expenses you incur and you compare it to what you will be paid and you see that it is in fact not enough. You cannot complain that the money is not enough or it is ‘chicken change' if you agreed to the term and no one forced your hand to sign the contract, the Law will see it as adequate irrespective. In principle, no consideration is too small, too much or unfair in the eyes of the Law as far as it has been agreed by both parties. And lastly, although consideration need not be adequate, it must be sufficient in the eyes of the Law.
OK so this is where I am going to stop for now, please stay tuned for more.
Consideration
Another element of a valid contract is consideration. What consideration basically talks about is that there must be an exchange of promises or of a promise for an act. Something of value in the eyes of the Law must be given for a promise in order to make it enforceable as a contract. What this simply means is that for a person who is a party to a contract be entitled to sue another person who is also a party to the same contract, he must show that he contributed to the agreement.
A valuable consideration in the eye of the Law may consist of some right, interest, profit or benefit to be enjoyed by a party to a contract or some loss or responsibility given suffered, given or undertaken by the other. For example, I talked about agency fees. Standard agencies do not ask models for agency fees but instead invest in their models, book them for jobs and get the money invested back after the Model is paid for the job. The money initially invested by the agency is some sort of loss or responsibility, so therefore, that is known as consideration. The money that was initially invested on the Models for shoots, to create a portfolio and comp card although I don’t think money is spent on getting models jobs is like some sort of benefit or profit to the Models. So if an agency wants to prove that there was indeed a valid contract, he just needs to show that some amount was spent on you initially. So consideration is basically one party to a contract enjoying some benefit while the other party suffers some loss or shoulders some responsibility.
There are certain instances where there is in fact no consideration even though it looks like it. This is what is know as failure of consideration. For example, an agency promises to book a model for jobs, the agency fails to do so, so therefore, there is no consideration. Why? Because the agency who made the promise did not in fact carry out any act in fulfilment of its promise. Although there are certain instances where a promise is made by a person to another although no act is required to be carried out by the other party a promise was made to.
Another instance of failure of consideration is where the parties to the contract are required to do some things as stated out in the contract and one of the parties is yet to fulfil his part of the agreement. For example, an agency when you signed the contract asked you to lose some pounds or cut your hair which is clearly stated in the agreement. The Model refuses to do so and the agency refused to book the Models for jobs. The Model cannot subsequently sue the agency for not getting him jobs because the Model is yet to fulfil his part of the contract of which the agency can only be liable when the Model does his part of the agreement and therefore there is no valid contract.
Now we are going to consider Adequacy of Consideration. In the absence of fraud, duress, force, misrepresentation, the consideration agreed by the two parties is adequate in the eyes of the Law. For example if the contract contains a term that says a Model shall get 60% of every income made by him from jobs and the agency gets 40%, so far the agency did not force you to sign the contract, there was nothing fishy about the agreement, the term was in plain and clear language, the Model cannot later come around and say the 60/40 cut is cheating, it is not enough.... For example, the job you were booked for is 20,000, and the percentage you get is 60%, that is like 12,000 naira. So when you calculate all the expenses you incur and you compare it to what you will be paid and you see that it is in fact not enough. You cannot complain that the money is not enough or it is ‘chicken change' if you agreed to the term and no one forced your hand to sign the contract, the Law will see it as adequate irrespective. In principle, no consideration is too small, too much or unfair in the eyes of the Law as far as it has been agreed by both parties. And lastly, although consideration need not be adequate, it must be sufficient in the eyes of the Law.
OK so this is where I am going to stop for now, please stay tuned for more.
Thursday 1 October 2015
Modelling Contracts and Agency; What The Law Says About It
Hello y'all, happy independence to you. So sorry for the late post. I hope you all are doing good.
Today I am talking about contract but it is going to be simplified for you to grasp my point. I am going to relate it to a Model and her agency.
Simply put, a contract is an agreement between two or more persons which is binding on them. But in Law, a contract is defined as an agreement which the Law will enforce or recognise as affecting the legal rights and duties of the parties. It can also be defined as a promise or set of promises the Law will enforce. For a contract to be valid and enforceable by law, purpose and intention of the people or parties involved must be mutual and their must be consideration. Consideration can be in form of money or rendering of services.
There are 3 classification of contract. There is the formal contract and simple contract. A formal contract must be in writing or may be typed on a paper. Under formal contract, there is also something called a contract made by deed. A deed for it to be valid must be completed and given full legal effect by the signing, sealing and delivering of it by the party executing to the party in whose favour it is executed. A person executing a deed must now either sign or make his mark in addition to sealing for the contract to be valid. A contract under deed will still be valid even when there is no consideration. A simple contract is defined as all contracts other than formal contracts. They may be in writing or oral. The distinction between these two forms of contract is that the validity of a simple contract is derived from the presence of consideration.
There is also another form of contract known as express and implied contract. An express contract is one when the terms of the contract are clearly stated. For example, modelsdiarys' agency calls for an open casting call to all interested Model to join its agency. Some models were picked and the models were subsequently given contracts to sign. All the terms will be well spelt out in such agreement and a contract comes into existence after the Model has read the terms and agreed to the terms therein. In the case of implied contracts, the terms are not expressly stated. The court will normally assume the existence of a contract from the conduct of the parties even though there was no express agreement between them. For example, a Modelsdiarys agency gives a Model a contract to sign which the Model fails to sign, but Modelsdiarys gives the Model jobs and gets it cuts after paying the Model. No contract is signed, but Modelsdiarys and the Model have been acting on the terms of the unsigned contract especially if it is over a period of time.
So right now, we are going to another aspect of the Law of Contract, the elements of a contract. The elements of a valid contract are offer, acceptance and consideration. For a contract to exist, they have to be an offer by one party to another and an acceptance by the person to whom the offer is addressed.
Offer
An offer simply put is a promise made by one person with the intention that it shall become binding on the person making the promise as soon as it is accepted by the party to whom it is addressed. An offeror(person making the offer) must place at the feet of the offeree(person to whom the offer is made) a clear intention and desire to enter into a contract with the person to whom the offer is made. An agent scout who spots a Model and invites her to come sign under the agency is an offer made to the Model by the scout on behalf of the agency. There is no limit to the number of people an offer can be made to. A contract comes into existence only between the person making the offer and the person or persons responding to the offer and accepting it. A offer(not a contract) can be made not only to individuals and group of persons, but to the whole world. An offer can be made in writing, in words or by conduct.
Under offer, there is something also known as invitation to treat. If an offer is in form of a preliminary move in negotiations which may lead to a contract, it is not an offer, but an invitation to treat. An invitation to treat not being an offer but a phenomenon preceding an offer is not capable of forming a contract upon acceptance. For example, modelsdiarys advertises on Facebook, Instagram, twitter, and their website that they need new models to sign under and agency and interested models apply to their agency with pictures or should come for their casting calls, modelsdiarys advertisement cannot constitute an offer because they have the right to reject some applications from models they think do not fit their brief. It is the application made by these models in response to the advertisement that is recognised as offers and when Modelsdiarys accepts some of these applications, a contract will emerge between Modelsdiarys and the Model's whose application were accepted. So also, if you apply to an agency to be signed under them, an agency has a right to reject your offer by telling you they are not accepting new faces right now till some time later. So in other words, applications made by a Model to an agency or a Model going for an agency's casting is actually an offer made by the Model because the agency has no clear intention to sign you yet. But if the agency sees you, likes your looks and invites you to its office and tells you of its intention for you to sign with its agency, that is an offer made by the agency and it is left for you to accept or reject the offer.
Acceptance
An acceptance is a final and unqualified expression of assent to the terms of offer. Simply put, an acceptance of an offer is the reciprocal act or action of the person to whom an offer is made in which he indicates his agreement to the terms of the offer made by the person who makes the offer. An acceptance may be manifested by words, by conduct or by documents passing between both parties. An acceptance by conduct will amount to proper acceptance if it is shown that the person to whom the offer is made to did the act with the intentions of accepting the offer. So therefore if a person is ignorant of an offer made, his acts cannot amount to an acceptance. For an acceptance to be valid, there must be external manifestation of assent, some words must be spoken or some act done by the person to whom the offer is made or its agent.
Acceptance must be communicated to the person who made the offer. Silence or an intention to accept does not amount to acceptance, intention must be coupled with act to amount to acceptance. So what I am saying here is when an agency makes an offer to a Model to sign with the agency, the Model if interested must communicate to the agency that he/she has accepted the offer either by words or by his/her acts or in writing. A Model just accepting in his/her mind is not enough, such Model must communicate his/her intention to join the agency. So also an agency who gets applications from models must communicate to the models picked acceptance of their offers. If a Model applies to an agency and does not get a reply from them within a reasonable time, that does not amount to acceptance by the agency even though the agency has it in mind to accept the Model’s application. The agency has to communicate acceptance to the Model and also rejection. It is also important to note that any acceptance is made subject to fulfilling a condition is not a valid acceptance. For example, where an agency tells you that your application can only be accepted on one condition, you have to cut your hair, you have to lose extra pounds, you have to take care of your skin, your contract with any other agency must have expired, that does not create a binding contract except these conditions are fulfilled.
Sometimes a person making an offer may require that the communication of acceptance must be in a certain way, either by a phone call, or a mail or by letter and so so. In this case, the requirement of communication must be followed as prescribed by the offeror. So when an agency asks you to communicate your response to them by a telephone call, do so, if it is by an email, do so. Where the person who made the offer doesn’t give any instruction on how the acceptance should be communicated, then if an offer is made to you by a telephone call, communicate acceptance by a phone call, if its is by an email, communicate acceptance by email, if an offer is made to you by words of mouth, do so or if that is not possible, send a mail or a text especially if the agent gives you his/her number or email address.
When an offer is terminated
There are different ways in which an offer made may be terminated. It could be by revocation, by lapse of time, by the death of the person who made the offer or the person to whom the offer is made and by rejection.
An offer terminated by revocation occurs when an offer is revoked anytime before acceptance is made or communicated. It is desirable that the person who made the offer must communicate to the person whom he made the offer to of his revocation.
An offer can be terminated if there is no acceptance after an appropriate lapse of time. For example, when an agency communicates to you of its intention for you to join the agency and gives you three months for you to reply to their offer. If you don’t reply within three months, after the three months, the offer has been terminated. However if the agency does not give you a time for you to reply, you are expected to reply within a reasonable time.
So also where the person to whom an offer is made heard that the person who made the offer to him has died, he cannot therefore validly accept his offer. So also if the offeree dies.
An offer is terminated if rejected by the person to whom an offer is made. However a rejection does not terminate the offer until it is communicated to the person who made the offer. So when a Model applies to an agency and the agency rejects the Model’s application, the agency should be polite enough to reply the Model that his/her application has been rejected so also when an agent asks a Model to come and join his agency.
Thank you all for reading, in my next post, I am going to talk about consideration and the Law of agency.
Today I am talking about contract but it is going to be simplified for you to grasp my point. I am going to relate it to a Model and her agency.
Simply put, a contract is an agreement between two or more persons which is binding on them. But in Law, a contract is defined as an agreement which the Law will enforce or recognise as affecting the legal rights and duties of the parties. It can also be defined as a promise or set of promises the Law will enforce. For a contract to be valid and enforceable by law, purpose and intention of the people or parties involved must be mutual and their must be consideration. Consideration can be in form of money or rendering of services.
There are 3 classification of contract. There is the formal contract and simple contract. A formal contract must be in writing or may be typed on a paper. Under formal contract, there is also something called a contract made by deed. A deed for it to be valid must be completed and given full legal effect by the signing, sealing and delivering of it by the party executing to the party in whose favour it is executed. A person executing a deed must now either sign or make his mark in addition to sealing for the contract to be valid. A contract under deed will still be valid even when there is no consideration. A simple contract is defined as all contracts other than formal contracts. They may be in writing or oral. The distinction between these two forms of contract is that the validity of a simple contract is derived from the presence of consideration.
There is also another form of contract known as express and implied contract. An express contract is one when the terms of the contract are clearly stated. For example, modelsdiarys' agency calls for an open casting call to all interested Model to join its agency. Some models were picked and the models were subsequently given contracts to sign. All the terms will be well spelt out in such agreement and a contract comes into existence after the Model has read the terms and agreed to the terms therein. In the case of implied contracts, the terms are not expressly stated. The court will normally assume the existence of a contract from the conduct of the parties even though there was no express agreement between them. For example, a Modelsdiarys agency gives a Model a contract to sign which the Model fails to sign, but Modelsdiarys gives the Model jobs and gets it cuts after paying the Model. No contract is signed, but Modelsdiarys and the Model have been acting on the terms of the unsigned contract especially if it is over a period of time.
So right now, we are going to another aspect of the Law of Contract, the elements of a contract. The elements of a valid contract are offer, acceptance and consideration. For a contract to exist, they have to be an offer by one party to another and an acceptance by the person to whom the offer is addressed.
Offer
An offer simply put is a promise made by one person with the intention that it shall become binding on the person making the promise as soon as it is accepted by the party to whom it is addressed. An offeror(person making the offer) must place at the feet of the offeree(person to whom the offer is made) a clear intention and desire to enter into a contract with the person to whom the offer is made. An agent scout who spots a Model and invites her to come sign under the agency is an offer made to the Model by the scout on behalf of the agency. There is no limit to the number of people an offer can be made to. A contract comes into existence only between the person making the offer and the person or persons responding to the offer and accepting it. A offer(not a contract) can be made not only to individuals and group of persons, but to the whole world. An offer can be made in writing, in words or by conduct.
Under offer, there is something also known as invitation to treat. If an offer is in form of a preliminary move in negotiations which may lead to a contract, it is not an offer, but an invitation to treat. An invitation to treat not being an offer but a phenomenon preceding an offer is not capable of forming a contract upon acceptance. For example, modelsdiarys advertises on Facebook, Instagram, twitter, and their website that they need new models to sign under and agency and interested models apply to their agency with pictures or should come for their casting calls, modelsdiarys advertisement cannot constitute an offer because they have the right to reject some applications from models they think do not fit their brief. It is the application made by these models in response to the advertisement that is recognised as offers and when Modelsdiarys accepts some of these applications, a contract will emerge between Modelsdiarys and the Model's whose application were accepted. So also, if you apply to an agency to be signed under them, an agency has a right to reject your offer by telling you they are not accepting new faces right now till some time later. So in other words, applications made by a Model to an agency or a Model going for an agency's casting is actually an offer made by the Model because the agency has no clear intention to sign you yet. But if the agency sees you, likes your looks and invites you to its office and tells you of its intention for you to sign with its agency, that is an offer made by the agency and it is left for you to accept or reject the offer.
Acceptance
An acceptance is a final and unqualified expression of assent to the terms of offer. Simply put, an acceptance of an offer is the reciprocal act or action of the person to whom an offer is made in which he indicates his agreement to the terms of the offer made by the person who makes the offer. An acceptance may be manifested by words, by conduct or by documents passing between both parties. An acceptance by conduct will amount to proper acceptance if it is shown that the person to whom the offer is made to did the act with the intentions of accepting the offer. So therefore if a person is ignorant of an offer made, his acts cannot amount to an acceptance. For an acceptance to be valid, there must be external manifestation of assent, some words must be spoken or some act done by the person to whom the offer is made or its agent.
Acceptance must be communicated to the person who made the offer. Silence or an intention to accept does not amount to acceptance, intention must be coupled with act to amount to acceptance. So what I am saying here is when an agency makes an offer to a Model to sign with the agency, the Model if interested must communicate to the agency that he/she has accepted the offer either by words or by his/her acts or in writing. A Model just accepting in his/her mind is not enough, such Model must communicate his/her intention to join the agency. So also an agency who gets applications from models must communicate to the models picked acceptance of their offers. If a Model applies to an agency and does not get a reply from them within a reasonable time, that does not amount to acceptance by the agency even though the agency has it in mind to accept the Model’s application. The agency has to communicate acceptance to the Model and also rejection. It is also important to note that any acceptance is made subject to fulfilling a condition is not a valid acceptance. For example, where an agency tells you that your application can only be accepted on one condition, you have to cut your hair, you have to lose extra pounds, you have to take care of your skin, your contract with any other agency must have expired, that does not create a binding contract except these conditions are fulfilled.
Sometimes a person making an offer may require that the communication of acceptance must be in a certain way, either by a phone call, or a mail or by letter and so so. In this case, the requirement of communication must be followed as prescribed by the offeror. So when an agency asks you to communicate your response to them by a telephone call, do so, if it is by an email, do so. Where the person who made the offer doesn’t give any instruction on how the acceptance should be communicated, then if an offer is made to you by a telephone call, communicate acceptance by a phone call, if its is by an email, communicate acceptance by email, if an offer is made to you by words of mouth, do so or if that is not possible, send a mail or a text especially if the agent gives you his/her number or email address.
When an offer is terminated
There are different ways in which an offer made may be terminated. It could be by revocation, by lapse of time, by the death of the person who made the offer or the person to whom the offer is made and by rejection.
An offer terminated by revocation occurs when an offer is revoked anytime before acceptance is made or communicated. It is desirable that the person who made the offer must communicate to the person whom he made the offer to of his revocation.
An offer can be terminated if there is no acceptance after an appropriate lapse of time. For example, when an agency communicates to you of its intention for you to join the agency and gives you three months for you to reply to their offer. If you don’t reply within three months, after the three months, the offer has been terminated. However if the agency does not give you a time for you to reply, you are expected to reply within a reasonable time.
So also where the person to whom an offer is made heard that the person who made the offer to him has died, he cannot therefore validly accept his offer. So also if the offeree dies.
An offer is terminated if rejected by the person to whom an offer is made. However a rejection does not terminate the offer until it is communicated to the person who made the offer. So when a Model applies to an agency and the agency rejects the Model’s application, the agency should be polite enough to reply the Model that his/her application has been rejected so also when an agent asks a Model to come and join his agency.
Thank you all for reading, in my next post, I am going to talk about consideration and the Law of agency.
Thursday 24 September 2015
Casting for The Lagos Fashion And Design Week 2015
The Lagos Fashion and Design Week is here again and runway models are needed for the show.
Casting Details.
Date: 30th September 2015
Time: 9:00 am to 2:00 p.m
Venue: Social Place. 33 Sinari Daranijo, V.I.
Requirements
Minimum height for male models is 6ft, while that for female models is 5'9. Female models are expected to come wearing a tank top and leggings with a minimum of 4 inches heel, no wedges allowed.
When Applying To An Agency
Hello everyone, I hope you enjoyed and learnt from my last two posts. Happy Sallah to you my Muslim brother and sisters.
Well now that you have information about agencies you will like to join, so how do you present yourself the right way to this agency. Although as a Model, there are some physical qualities you have to possess, but personality also matters. First impression matters. Everywhere you go, you have to be memorable. For you to be a good model, you need to act like a model, walk like a model, talk like a model, behave like a model because everyone is watching if you dont know.
Now im going to be giving some tips on how to present yourself to an agency. First of all, send a mail to the agency and introduce yourself, tell them a little bit about yourself and why you want to join the agency. The agency will reply you by telling you to send your pictures and stats. I will advise you to
(1.) Send a studio unedited headshot where you have no makeup on, no sun shades, no hat, if possible no hair extensions or attachment or coloured hair, wearing a white or black tanktop or round neck for the guys and a plain studio background. The agency must first of all see you plain and see the real you.
(2.) Send any other pictures, your portfolio, your zed card, professional pictures, studio edited pictures but not camera pictures.
(3.) Let the pictures be followed with your stats in this manner:
Name
Age
Bust/chest
Waist
Hips
Shoulder
Height
Eye colour
Hair colour
Dress size
Shoe size
Any piercing
Jobs done(if none, simply put N/A)
If the agency likes you, you may be called to come to their office for an appointment. When you are going, you have to look like a Model. Wear a white or black tank top on a skinny jeans with your black heels along with your portfolio with no makeup and no hair extensions and attachments if possible. For the guys, wear a white or black round neck top with jeans and shoes and shave. When you get there, be filled with confidence, make sure you smile, greet everyone you meet, be polite and say Thank you where necessary. Introduce yourself with a smile and be memorable.
Next, I'm going to talk about modelling contracts and the relationship between a Model and agency. So please stay tuned.
Well now that you have information about agencies you will like to join, so how do you present yourself the right way to this agency. Although as a Model, there are some physical qualities you have to possess, but personality also matters. First impression matters. Everywhere you go, you have to be memorable. For you to be a good model, you need to act like a model, walk like a model, talk like a model, behave like a model because everyone is watching if you dont know.
Now im going to be giving some tips on how to present yourself to an agency. First of all, send a mail to the agency and introduce yourself, tell them a little bit about yourself and why you want to join the agency. The agency will reply you by telling you to send your pictures and stats. I will advise you to
(1.) Send a studio unedited headshot where you have no makeup on, no sun shades, no hat, if possible no hair extensions or attachment or coloured hair, wearing a white or black tanktop or round neck for the guys and a plain studio background. The agency must first of all see you plain and see the real you.
(2.) Send any other pictures, your portfolio, your zed card, professional pictures, studio edited pictures but not camera pictures.
(3.) Let the pictures be followed with your stats in this manner:
Name
Age
Bust/chest
Waist
Hips
Shoulder
Height
Eye colour
Hair colour
Dress size
Shoe size
Any piercing
Jobs done(if none, simply put N/A)
If the agency likes you, you may be called to come to their office for an appointment. When you are going, you have to look like a Model. Wear a white or black tank top on a skinny jeans with your black heels along with your portfolio with no makeup and no hair extensions and attachments if possible. For the guys, wear a white or black round neck top with jeans and shoes and shave. When you get there, be filled with confidence, make sure you smile, greet everyone you meet, be polite and say Thank you where necessary. Introduce yourself with a smile and be memorable.
Next, I'm going to talk about modelling contracts and the relationship between a Model and agency. So please stay tuned.
Tuesday 22 September 2015
Fake Modelling Agencies and Scams you need to avoid 2
Hey guys, how are you?? So today, I’m going to talk about modelling agencies, fake modelling agencies and modelling scams, how to spot them and also a list of reputable modelling agencies in Nigeria. But before that, two top Nigerian models are celebrating their birthdays to day. Angela Philips and Claudia Adelu. Happy Birthday to them.
Before I go on, I’m going to talk about my own experience, not really an experience, but someone tried to play a fast one on me. One day, I got a message on Facebook from a certain guy that says, hi, I like your looks, please add me up, I have a job for you. When I saw the message, I’m like hmmm, this looks like a scammer, but let me play along just for the fun. I added him two days later and we started talking. He said hi, my name so so so so, I like your looks. He said he had a job for me, one a pz job, a calendar job and a magazine job. He said because I’m not under his agency, I am going to pay 15k before he can give me a brief of the job, but because he likes my looks, I can pay 8,000 then later, I will pay up. I should come to his office first so we can talk more about it. So I decided to ask him some questions which I believe every Model should ask when an unknown agency is asking them to sign under them and pay registration fee. I asked him if he had an office address, he said yes at Onipanu. OK what of the agency's social media accounts and website, he gave me one website like that that doesn’t even bear the agency's name. Then I proceeded to ask him about the models signed under him, what jobs have they done. He said is this some kind of interrogation. I said no, if I’m going to pay for registration to join an agency, I have to know the agency I want to sign with. He said he is not a scammer that he has been operating since 2010, he is not like the shouters like Beth and Isis that there are some coded agencies, he is coded. I’m like oooo, you are not shouters like Isis and Beth, but you don’t seem to remember the jobs your models have done. He was trying so hard to persuade me that he is not a scam, he said there are so many scammers out there, i should come to his office so we can talk more and give me the brief blah, blah, blah, but naa, I’m smarter than that.
You see the thing about these people is they are trained to sound convincing, they will say anything just to make you want to work with them, they sound so convincing and if you are not careful, you might fall for their tactics. So anytime an agency you have not heard of or anyone who calls himself an agent asks you to come and sign under their agency, asks them these questions.
(1.) Their history. If they are registered, when they started business, how many models are signed under them.
(2.) Their contact details. That doesn’t mean phone number or bbm contact alone, it should include their office address, their website, social media accounts, Instagram, Facebook, twitter and so on.
(3.) Ask them what jobs they have booked for their models and ask for pictures.
After the whole interrogation like the guy called it, then do your own investigations. Google is a big gossip. Check Google. Google tells you the life history of a person or business so far it is on the web. If you don’t see anything about them not even on blogs or a website which links them, huh huh?? Time to run, even if you see their Facebook address alone. The office address you were given, go there yourself one day without notice, see if it is truly an office or not. When you get there, ask people around what they do there. You understand, just be an FBI agent. Verify their claims. Well for agencies who claim they are new, do not pay them agency fees, they might be fraudulent and may run away with your money. Just wait till when they are settled, they have a website even if it is under construction, they have an office address and they are in full operation.
So I’m going to be talking about agency fees. Please under no circumstance must you pay any amount of money to join an agency. If they really believe in you, they should invest in you, but don't expect them to give you transport fare to castings, except you guys have agreed that the transport fare will be deducted from your pay. So when they start getting you jobs, they get back the money invested in you from the pay you get from the jobs done. I once saw it on Facebook that do artiste pay to get signed under a record label, so also models, do not pay to join an agency. If they are truly capable of getting you jobs of which they will get their percentage from the pay, so why should you pay them to get you these jobs. I know some people believe that hmm that the agency have to get you a trainer and also create a portfolio for you so you should pay registration fees, I have said it in an earlier post, you don’t have to wait for an agency to create a portfolio for you, create your own portfolio. You know what, except if you are scouted by an agency, I believe any Model who intends to sign under an agency should first undergo personal training. Shoot with photographers, get professional pictures, if you can’t afford a personal trainer, try and learn how to catwalk yourself, go on youtube, download and watch videos on how to walk on the runway instead of downloading videos on how to twerk and squatt. Train yourself, be well packaged, have some professional pictures before you approach an agency that you want to sign under. If the agent approaches you by themselves and tells you he/she likes you and will want you to sign under their agency, that means they believe in you and they should invest in you then, so they shouldn’t be asking you to pay for agency fees because they will still get their percentage once the jobs start coming in. Or haven’t you guys heard of agencies that tell their models to pay fees for registration and portfolio and after the portfolio is done, they don’t release the portfolio to the Model even when the portfolio was paid for by the Model? You guys have to be smart and proactive.
Another thing is you have to be careful of people who use other people's name or brand/business name. Like the story I shared in my last post of the two people who lied that they are top models under Modela Agency and ended up duping models of the sum of 80k each. If anyone tells you they work with Isis, Beth or any other agency and wants you to come and pay before you join such agency, contact these agency on Facebook, if they don't reply, send them a message on Instagram, if they still don't reply, ask models around. Please this is Nigeria, open ya eyes, everyone is looking for ways to make money whichever way they can, don't be a 'mumu,' this is 2015. Be careful. So I'm going to put up a list of reputable agencies in Nigeria you can join.
(1.) Few Model Management. Email: fewmanagement@gmail.com
(2.) Zahara Model Management. Email: info@zaharamodels.com
(3.) Mahogany Model Management. Email: info@mahoganymodelmanagement.com
(4.) Beth Model Management Africa. Email: info@bethmodelafrica.com
(5.) Pages Modelling agency. Email: pagesmodels@gmail.com
(6.) XA International. Email: ovoface@yahoo.com
(7.) Isis Modelling agency. Email: isismodels@yahoo.com
(8.) Pillars & Pride of Africa. Email: info@prideofafrika.com
(9.) Erigks modelling agency. Email: erigksmodels@yahoo.com
(10.) Hues and Shades.
There are also other reputable and legit modelling agencies out there that are not listed here That I honestly do not know of, but put that aside, if you have any agency in mind you want to join, make sure you do your research and homework first before you join, ask other models you know about the agency you intend to join, trust me, you will get the information you need. If any agency or agent approaches you that they want you to be a Model signed under their agency, well why not, ask them the three questions mentioned earlier politely and do your own research. In my next post, I'm going to talk about what you should send to the email of an agency you intend to join. So till then, have a fruitful week.
I think that will be all for now, thanks for reading
Before I go on, I’m going to talk about my own experience, not really an experience, but someone tried to play a fast one on me. One day, I got a message on Facebook from a certain guy that says, hi, I like your looks, please add me up, I have a job for you. When I saw the message, I’m like hmmm, this looks like a scammer, but let me play along just for the fun. I added him two days later and we started talking. He said hi, my name so so so so, I like your looks. He said he had a job for me, one a pz job, a calendar job and a magazine job. He said because I’m not under his agency, I am going to pay 15k before he can give me a brief of the job, but because he likes my looks, I can pay 8,000 then later, I will pay up. I should come to his office first so we can talk more about it. So I decided to ask him some questions which I believe every Model should ask when an unknown agency is asking them to sign under them and pay registration fee. I asked him if he had an office address, he said yes at Onipanu. OK what of the agency's social media accounts and website, he gave me one website like that that doesn’t even bear the agency's name. Then I proceeded to ask him about the models signed under him, what jobs have they done. He said is this some kind of interrogation. I said no, if I’m going to pay for registration to join an agency, I have to know the agency I want to sign with. He said he is not a scammer that he has been operating since 2010, he is not like the shouters like Beth and Isis that there are some coded agencies, he is coded. I’m like oooo, you are not shouters like Isis and Beth, but you don’t seem to remember the jobs your models have done. He was trying so hard to persuade me that he is not a scam, he said there are so many scammers out there, i should come to his office so we can talk more and give me the brief blah, blah, blah, but naa, I’m smarter than that.
You see the thing about these people is they are trained to sound convincing, they will say anything just to make you want to work with them, they sound so convincing and if you are not careful, you might fall for their tactics. So anytime an agency you have not heard of or anyone who calls himself an agent asks you to come and sign under their agency, asks them these questions.
(1.) Their history. If they are registered, when they started business, how many models are signed under them.
(2.) Their contact details. That doesn’t mean phone number or bbm contact alone, it should include their office address, their website, social media accounts, Instagram, Facebook, twitter and so on.
(3.) Ask them what jobs they have booked for their models and ask for pictures.
After the whole interrogation like the guy called it, then do your own investigations. Google is a big gossip. Check Google. Google tells you the life history of a person or business so far it is on the web. If you don’t see anything about them not even on blogs or a website which links them, huh huh?? Time to run, even if you see their Facebook address alone. The office address you were given, go there yourself one day without notice, see if it is truly an office or not. When you get there, ask people around what they do there. You understand, just be an FBI agent. Verify their claims. Well for agencies who claim they are new, do not pay them agency fees, they might be fraudulent and may run away with your money. Just wait till when they are settled, they have a website even if it is under construction, they have an office address and they are in full operation.
So I’m going to be talking about agency fees. Please under no circumstance must you pay any amount of money to join an agency. If they really believe in you, they should invest in you, but don't expect them to give you transport fare to castings, except you guys have agreed that the transport fare will be deducted from your pay. So when they start getting you jobs, they get back the money invested in you from the pay you get from the jobs done. I once saw it on Facebook that do artiste pay to get signed under a record label, so also models, do not pay to join an agency. If they are truly capable of getting you jobs of which they will get their percentage from the pay, so why should you pay them to get you these jobs. I know some people believe that hmm that the agency have to get you a trainer and also create a portfolio for you so you should pay registration fees, I have said it in an earlier post, you don’t have to wait for an agency to create a portfolio for you, create your own portfolio. You know what, except if you are scouted by an agency, I believe any Model who intends to sign under an agency should first undergo personal training. Shoot with photographers, get professional pictures, if you can’t afford a personal trainer, try and learn how to catwalk yourself, go on youtube, download and watch videos on how to walk on the runway instead of downloading videos on how to twerk and squatt. Train yourself, be well packaged, have some professional pictures before you approach an agency that you want to sign under. If the agent approaches you by themselves and tells you he/she likes you and will want you to sign under their agency, that means they believe in you and they should invest in you then, so they shouldn’t be asking you to pay for agency fees because they will still get their percentage once the jobs start coming in. Or haven’t you guys heard of agencies that tell their models to pay fees for registration and portfolio and after the portfolio is done, they don’t release the portfolio to the Model even when the portfolio was paid for by the Model? You guys have to be smart and proactive.
Another thing is you have to be careful of people who use other people's name or brand/business name. Like the story I shared in my last post of the two people who lied that they are top models under Modela Agency and ended up duping models of the sum of 80k each. If anyone tells you they work with Isis, Beth or any other agency and wants you to come and pay before you join such agency, contact these agency on Facebook, if they don't reply, send them a message on Instagram, if they still don't reply, ask models around. Please this is Nigeria, open ya eyes, everyone is looking for ways to make money whichever way they can, don't be a 'mumu,' this is 2015. Be careful. So I'm going to put up a list of reputable agencies in Nigeria you can join.
(1.) Few Model Management. Email: fewmanagement@gmail.com
(2.) Zahara Model Management. Email: info@zaharamodels.com
(3.) Mahogany Model Management. Email: info@mahoganymodelmanagement.com
(4.) Beth Model Management Africa. Email: info@bethmodelafrica.com
(5.) Pages Modelling agency. Email: pagesmodels@gmail.com
(6.) XA International. Email: ovoface@yahoo.com
(7.) Isis Modelling agency. Email: isismodels@yahoo.com
(8.) Pillars & Pride of Africa. Email: info@prideofafrika.com
(9.) Erigks modelling agency. Email: erigksmodels@yahoo.com
(10.) Hues and Shades.
There are also other reputable and legit modelling agencies out there that are not listed here That I honestly do not know of, but put that aside, if you have any agency in mind you want to join, make sure you do your research and homework first before you join, ask other models you know about the agency you intend to join, trust me, you will get the information you need. If any agency or agent approaches you that they want you to be a Model signed under their agency, well why not, ask them the three questions mentioned earlier politely and do your own research. In my next post, I'm going to talk about what you should send to the email of an agency you intend to join. So till then, have a fruitful week.
I think that will be all for now, thanks for reading
Sunday 20 September 2015
Fake Modelling Agencies and Modelling Scams You Need To Avoid 1
Hey all?? How is your weekend?? Mine is going well.
Today, I'm going to talk about one of the problems most models face in Nigeria, modelling agencies. I mean fake modelling agencies and modelling scams. I know as an upcoming model, you are so passionate about modelling and you try to look for ways and avenues to make it as a model, I understand that feeling, I was once down that lane. But you need to be careful, I mean very careful. I don't want this post to be a rush work, I want you guys to enjoy it and learn a lot from it, so I did my research and asked models to share their experiences with fake agencies and modelling scams. Well some said they have had no experience so far(lucky you), some were reluctant to talk, some wanted their names mentioned and some did not because they felt it will be "bad business"for them(whatever that is). There are so many fake agencies nowadays and scammers who are looking for models to dupe and exploit. I bet you guys know this already. So I'm going to talk about how to spot this fake agencies or scammers, but first let me share these experiences I gathered from them so you don't make this little mistakes and fall into their traps.
The first on the list is Adeniran Olamilekan Adeywealth, he says "The name of the so-called agency is "pa............." They called for an audition. My friend and I were so happy because we were made known that the agency is in conjunction with Kanu Nwankwor (the footballer) or better still, he owns the agency. After been screened by some personalities like Y........ (a media personality) who was among the judges, I was really wowed that they are for real. A message was sent to those of us that were scouted by the agency and I was like this is going to be a great opportunity for me as an upcoming model. A week later, we were sent a text message to come for a briefing. When we(the models) got there, they started on a good ground by telling us the benefits we will enjoy by joining the agency. We were asked to pay a sum of 10,000 naira for registration. So many models flared up, both the experienced and inexperienced. So may questions were thrown like how are we so sure we are going to get the jobs, blah blah blah, they tried to convince us. But because it is the first time an agency is scouting me, I was really enthusiastic, I gave in to their tricks and payed for the registration and also persuaded other models to pay for the registration. After payment, they called us for grooming, after grooming, the three weeks that followed was full of cock and bull stories. Later I stopped getting messages from them. I contacted a guy who was introduced to us as the manager, he said he doesn't work with them anymore because of remuneration issues. Till this moment, no job, no photo shoot, that was the last we heard from them. What i want other models to learn from this is that they should do their homework so that they don't fall into wrong hands. Also no genuine modelling agency will ask you to pay any fees before giving you jobs, since they are really interested in you. Note: this can be avoided when you are scouted during open casting calls. thank you." You know the funny thing about his story, the name of the agency. I intend not to mention the name of the agencies involved but i need to tell you this. The name of the agency is *drum roll* Papilo Modelling Agency. hahahahaha. What kind of name is that?? Papillo?? If i was in his shoes, i would have suspected foul play from the beginning especially when I am told Kanu Nwankwor owns the agency. Kanu Nwankwor ke?? own a modelling agency ke? that is ultra vires, going outside the objects of the articles and memorandum of association(I'm sorry, just talked like a lawyer). But how and why will Kanu Nwankwor want to own an agency?? He is a big footballer and a rich one for that matter, so what business does he have in owning an agency when the money he can get by owning a modelling agency is little compared to what he gets as a footballer. The morale of his story is people use other people's name to dupe models, so please be careful. I will talk about that later. Lets go to the next.
This guy's name is Timi, he says, "then when i was looking for agencies to join as a new model, I saw a message on Facebook about new models needed to sign under an agency. I went for the casting and I was picked, I was really happy. Later, we(models selected) were told to pay a sum of 8,500naira for "proper registration" and for photo shoots. After payment, we models were asked to come to a studio at Ikeja. On getting there, it was a clubhouse(ghen ghen), in short, there was no studio. We called the number we were given, it was switched off. The name of the agency is McModelz". Hmm another funny agency name. I'm not saying you should judge by agency name, in law, we were taught registration of business names, I'm sure there are some names the registrar of business names will be unwillingly to register even if the name has passed the test.
Next story, this guy doesn't want to be mentioned. He says, "this is a particular lady, her name is L........., she sent a message that she needed models for a calendar job. I went there with some friends to Ikeja. On getting there, she had on ground a makeup artiste and a photographer, we thought it was a casting. She took our pictures and said she will get back to all of us. Then she used the pictures without paying us or calling us back. This happened 2 years ago. Fast forward now, she added some models to a group and tried to extort them too. She said a beauty brand was going to organize a fashion show and each model is to pay 2000naira to participate in the fashion show. I blew her cover and she removed everyone from the group." Smart one girl, smart one, you might be smart enough to use these models pictures without paying royalties, but you can't be smart enough to erase your name and your act from their memories. You see how you were busted. Now everyone knows the story of how you cheated other models by not paying them but using their pictures without acknowledgement. Old habits never die hard. You even had the guts to tell models to pay to participate for a fashion show?? Sooner or later, karma will serve you what you deserve.
Next story, she also doesn't want her name mentioned. She says, "a guy asked me to pay a sum of 14,000naira to join his agency, I paid. When he demanded for more, I realized it was scam. "
Well the next person has no experience, but she had something to say generally about modelling agencies. "Mmmm No, the only thing i can say about that is there are some agencies that will ask you to register with them with an huge amount of money with the promise and assurance that you will get jobs. Although you get the jobs, what they get for you are free jobs and at the end, you become stranded. Please if you can help with that, let them know that we models are not slaves. Like me, am only following what my mother always tell me. My mother will say "my daughter don't look at the money but look forward to the fame, when fame comes, money will follow." I actually left my former agency on d same issue. Some agent use their models 4 free. People who see my pictures on Facebook always think I am a very rich girl, in school, they think am one of the richest babe on campus, thanks to my pictures and shows i have done. Though I am OK, but I am not what they think I am. So please, you can help us talk more about that. Maybe some agents will stop molesting their models all in d name of being famous. Thanks.
Another model Tobi had something to say. She has no experience but she gave advice to models generally. "Oh well, they are everywhere now and because these people know that a lot of girls want to be models now, they mostly are found in castings trying to entice young new girls to or calling out to models for fake jobs with catchy pays. Most girls fall into these traps because they have no clue on how modelling is yet. So they pay some sort of form or shoot money and stuffs. This applies more to Commercial jobs. A lot of girls want to be on billboards and tv screens. They are induced into paying some amount of money and also having to do stupid stuffs and at the end of the day, it's either fake or they don't get the jobs.
The next experience left me bewildered. Of all the experiences i have been writing here since, you guys should take note of this particular one. I'm not going to mention this person's name. She says, "the man's name is ....., his agency is at Masha, Surulere. I got a bc from a friend and she told me that there will be a show in Calabar and that ushers are needed. Ushers will be paid 70,000naira after the job, the job is for 3 days, feeding and accommodation will be taken care of. I told a friend of mine and she said she is interested. We both went for the audition, we were picked and we were told to pay 5000naira each because we were not under the agency. We paid the money. On the day we were supposed to travel, the man refused to pick his calls. We went to his so called office, it was locked. We contacted other models who were picked and we were told the man tried to sleep with two other girls in his office, he had his way with one of them. We didn't get our money back and we did not do the job. I called the girl that works with the man, she didn't pick her calls and she deleted me off bbm." Ladies be very careful, especially when it comes to ushering job. I have friends that do ushering jobs. They told me their are two types of ushering jobs, the cheaps ones between the range of 5000naira to lets say 15000naira and the ones with expensive pays which are like 30,000naira upwards. According to them, for the cheap ones, you do your job, collect your money after the job and go home, some supervisors even warn you not to flirt with the guests or even give them your numbers, you should be disciplined. The second type involves the happy hour, after the job, you are required to follow some of the guests home or something before you can be paid. I have never done ushering jobs, so I dont know how true this is. I heard this from two friends who do ushering jobs. Any ushering jobs that involves me travelling, i dont think i can do it especially if I'm knowing the person for the first time. What if (God forbid) they are ritualist or kidnappers or worse still there is an accident on the way. As an usher, only travel for jobs that is provided for by the agency you are under, dont just travel because the money invoved is much. I feel so much pity for the girl who was raped. She might not be able to forgive herself. This also applies to modelling, any job that requires you travelling, makes sure it is provided by your agency, if it is not by your agency, inform your agency, let them do the necessary investigations, that is one of the duties owed to you by them, having your best interest at heart. Be smart, protect yourself, there are too many evil doers in Nigeria, watch and pray.
To crown it all, there was also this news that laila's blog carried about some ladies who sent her emails that they were scammed and duped by persons parading themselves as top models signed under the popular agency Modella Couture. i actually saw the warning message that the real Modella couture agency put up on Facebook telling people to beware of scammers using their name to dupe unsuspecting models. I'm going to summarize the story, the two individuals cum fraudsters are known as Susan/Sharon and Ashbury. Susan/Sharon changes her name after every successful attempt to dupe a model. They contact you on facebook that they are top models under Modella Couture and that their is this Glo contract coming soon worth 473,000 and you are asked to pay upfront fees totalling 80,000naira, you pay to a director's personal account. According to them, the reason why they are not doing the job is because they are top models that are bigger than the jobs and that the unsuspecting models are being recruited to the agency to do the jobs and that the directors do not know that they are being recruited. After that, they ask you to come and pose naked for a shoot to test your skin. To cut the long story short, they ask you to bring your friends along to build your profile, they even ask you to sleep with them and try to collect more money from you. They sound very convincing. so many girls have fallen into their traps and tricks, they have been exploited sexually and financially. These girls later googled Modella Couture and found out it was all fraud. If you want to know more, just check google.
OK I think I should wrap it up here, this post is getting too long. Next post, I am going to talk about how to spot this fake agencies and I'm also trying to compile a list of modelling agencies in Nigeria and their contact info because I have been getting so many messages from models asking me about agencies they can join. So in my next post I'm going to talk about modelling agencies, paying agency fees, how to spot and avoid fake agencies and a list and contact information of modelling agencies in Nigeria you can join. So I want you guys to learn from today's post and be smarter than you were before.
photo source: Model Mayhem
Today, I'm going to talk about one of the problems most models face in Nigeria, modelling agencies. I mean fake modelling agencies and modelling scams. I know as an upcoming model, you are so passionate about modelling and you try to look for ways and avenues to make it as a model, I understand that feeling, I was once down that lane. But you need to be careful, I mean very careful. I don't want this post to be a rush work, I want you guys to enjoy it and learn a lot from it, so I did my research and asked models to share their experiences with fake agencies and modelling scams. Well some said they have had no experience so far(lucky you), some were reluctant to talk, some wanted their names mentioned and some did not because they felt it will be "bad business"for them(whatever that is). There are so many fake agencies nowadays and scammers who are looking for models to dupe and exploit. I bet you guys know this already. So I'm going to talk about how to spot this fake agencies or scammers, but first let me share these experiences I gathered from them so you don't make this little mistakes and fall into their traps.
The first on the list is Adeniran Olamilekan Adeywealth, he says "The name of the so-called agency is "pa............." They called for an audition. My friend and I were so happy because we were made known that the agency is in conjunction with Kanu Nwankwor (the footballer) or better still, he owns the agency. After been screened by some personalities like Y........ (a media personality) who was among the judges, I was really wowed that they are for real. A message was sent to those of us that were scouted by the agency and I was like this is going to be a great opportunity for me as an upcoming model. A week later, we were sent a text message to come for a briefing. When we(the models) got there, they started on a good ground by telling us the benefits we will enjoy by joining the agency. We were asked to pay a sum of 10,000 naira for registration. So many models flared up, both the experienced and inexperienced. So may questions were thrown like how are we so sure we are going to get the jobs, blah blah blah, they tried to convince us. But because it is the first time an agency is scouting me, I was really enthusiastic, I gave in to their tricks and payed for the registration and also persuaded other models to pay for the registration. After payment, they called us for grooming, after grooming, the three weeks that followed was full of cock and bull stories. Later I stopped getting messages from them. I contacted a guy who was introduced to us as the manager, he said he doesn't work with them anymore because of remuneration issues. Till this moment, no job, no photo shoot, that was the last we heard from them. What i want other models to learn from this is that they should do their homework so that they don't fall into wrong hands. Also no genuine modelling agency will ask you to pay any fees before giving you jobs, since they are really interested in you. Note: this can be avoided when you are scouted during open casting calls. thank you." You know the funny thing about his story, the name of the agency. I intend not to mention the name of the agencies involved but i need to tell you this. The name of the agency is *drum roll* Papilo Modelling Agency. hahahahaha. What kind of name is that?? Papillo?? If i was in his shoes, i would have suspected foul play from the beginning especially when I am told Kanu Nwankwor owns the agency. Kanu Nwankwor ke?? own a modelling agency ke? that is ultra vires, going outside the objects of the articles and memorandum of association(I'm sorry, just talked like a lawyer). But how and why will Kanu Nwankwor want to own an agency?? He is a big footballer and a rich one for that matter, so what business does he have in owning an agency when the money he can get by owning a modelling agency is little compared to what he gets as a footballer. The morale of his story is people use other people's name to dupe models, so please be careful. I will talk about that later. Lets go to the next.
This guy's name is Timi, he says, "then when i was looking for agencies to join as a new model, I saw a message on Facebook about new models needed to sign under an agency. I went for the casting and I was picked, I was really happy. Later, we(models selected) were told to pay a sum of 8,500naira for "proper registration" and for photo shoots. After payment, we models were asked to come to a studio at Ikeja. On getting there, it was a clubhouse(ghen ghen), in short, there was no studio. We called the number we were given, it was switched off. The name of the agency is McModelz". Hmm another funny agency name. I'm not saying you should judge by agency name, in law, we were taught registration of business names, I'm sure there are some names the registrar of business names will be unwillingly to register even if the name has passed the test.
Next story, this guy doesn't want to be mentioned. He says, "this is a particular lady, her name is L........., she sent a message that she needed models for a calendar job. I went there with some friends to Ikeja. On getting there, she had on ground a makeup artiste and a photographer, we thought it was a casting. She took our pictures and said she will get back to all of us. Then she used the pictures without paying us or calling us back. This happened 2 years ago. Fast forward now, she added some models to a group and tried to extort them too. She said a beauty brand was going to organize a fashion show and each model is to pay 2000naira to participate in the fashion show. I blew her cover and she removed everyone from the group." Smart one girl, smart one, you might be smart enough to use these models pictures without paying royalties, but you can't be smart enough to erase your name and your act from their memories. You see how you were busted. Now everyone knows the story of how you cheated other models by not paying them but using their pictures without acknowledgement. Old habits never die hard. You even had the guts to tell models to pay to participate for a fashion show?? Sooner or later, karma will serve you what you deserve.
Next story, she also doesn't want her name mentioned. She says, "a guy asked me to pay a sum of 14,000naira to join his agency, I paid. When he demanded for more, I realized it was scam. "
Well the next person has no experience, but she had something to say generally about modelling agencies. "Mmmm No, the only thing i can say about that is there are some agencies that will ask you to register with them with an huge amount of money with the promise and assurance that you will get jobs. Although you get the jobs, what they get for you are free jobs and at the end, you become stranded. Please if you can help with that, let them know that we models are not slaves. Like me, am only following what my mother always tell me. My mother will say "my daughter don't look at the money but look forward to the fame, when fame comes, money will follow." I actually left my former agency on d same issue. Some agent use their models 4 free. People who see my pictures on Facebook always think I am a very rich girl, in school, they think am one of the richest babe on campus, thanks to my pictures and shows i have done. Though I am OK, but I am not what they think I am. So please, you can help us talk more about that. Maybe some agents will stop molesting their models all in d name of being famous. Thanks.
Another model Tobi had something to say. She has no experience but she gave advice to models generally. "Oh well, they are everywhere now and because these people know that a lot of girls want to be models now, they mostly are found in castings trying to entice young new girls to or calling out to models for fake jobs with catchy pays. Most girls fall into these traps because they have no clue on how modelling is yet. So they pay some sort of form or shoot money and stuffs. This applies more to Commercial jobs. A lot of girls want to be on billboards and tv screens. They are induced into paying some amount of money and also having to do stupid stuffs and at the end of the day, it's either fake or they don't get the jobs.
The next experience left me bewildered. Of all the experiences i have been writing here since, you guys should take note of this particular one. I'm not going to mention this person's name. She says, "the man's name is ....., his agency is at Masha, Surulere. I got a bc from a friend and she told me that there will be a show in Calabar and that ushers are needed. Ushers will be paid 70,000naira after the job, the job is for 3 days, feeding and accommodation will be taken care of. I told a friend of mine and she said she is interested. We both went for the audition, we were picked and we were told to pay 5000naira each because we were not under the agency. We paid the money. On the day we were supposed to travel, the man refused to pick his calls. We went to his so called office, it was locked. We contacted other models who were picked and we were told the man tried to sleep with two other girls in his office, he had his way with one of them. We didn't get our money back and we did not do the job. I called the girl that works with the man, she didn't pick her calls and she deleted me off bbm." Ladies be very careful, especially when it comes to ushering job. I have friends that do ushering jobs. They told me their are two types of ushering jobs, the cheaps ones between the range of 5000naira to lets say 15000naira and the ones with expensive pays which are like 30,000naira upwards. According to them, for the cheap ones, you do your job, collect your money after the job and go home, some supervisors even warn you not to flirt with the guests or even give them your numbers, you should be disciplined. The second type involves the happy hour, after the job, you are required to follow some of the guests home or something before you can be paid. I have never done ushering jobs, so I dont know how true this is. I heard this from two friends who do ushering jobs. Any ushering jobs that involves me travelling, i dont think i can do it especially if I'm knowing the person for the first time. What if (God forbid) they are ritualist or kidnappers or worse still there is an accident on the way. As an usher, only travel for jobs that is provided for by the agency you are under, dont just travel because the money invoved is much. I feel so much pity for the girl who was raped. She might not be able to forgive herself. This also applies to modelling, any job that requires you travelling, makes sure it is provided by your agency, if it is not by your agency, inform your agency, let them do the necessary investigations, that is one of the duties owed to you by them, having your best interest at heart. Be smart, protect yourself, there are too many evil doers in Nigeria, watch and pray.
To crown it all, there was also this news that laila's blog carried about some ladies who sent her emails that they were scammed and duped by persons parading themselves as top models signed under the popular agency Modella Couture. i actually saw the warning message that the real Modella couture agency put up on Facebook telling people to beware of scammers using their name to dupe unsuspecting models. I'm going to summarize the story, the two individuals cum fraudsters are known as Susan/Sharon and Ashbury. Susan/Sharon changes her name after every successful attempt to dupe a model. They contact you on facebook that they are top models under Modella Couture and that their is this Glo contract coming soon worth 473,000 and you are asked to pay upfront fees totalling 80,000naira, you pay to a director's personal account. According to them, the reason why they are not doing the job is because they are top models that are bigger than the jobs and that the unsuspecting models are being recruited to the agency to do the jobs and that the directors do not know that they are being recruited. After that, they ask you to come and pose naked for a shoot to test your skin. To cut the long story short, they ask you to bring your friends along to build your profile, they even ask you to sleep with them and try to collect more money from you. They sound very convincing. so many girls have fallen into their traps and tricks, they have been exploited sexually and financially. These girls later googled Modella Couture and found out it was all fraud. If you want to know more, just check google.
OK I think I should wrap it up here, this post is getting too long. Next post, I am going to talk about how to spot this fake agencies and I'm also trying to compile a list of modelling agencies in Nigeria and their contact info because I have been getting so many messages from models asking me about agencies they can join. So in my next post I'm going to talk about modelling agencies, paying agency fees, how to spot and avoid fake agencies and a list and contact information of modelling agencies in Nigeria you can join. So I want you guys to learn from today's post and be smarter than you were before.
photo source: Model Mayhem
Wednesday 16 September 2015
Modelling is not Glamorous, says model Manon Leloup
A French model gives an insight on what modelling is or entails in contrast to what people generally believe that modelling is glamorous. This is for those who intend to go outside the country to pursue their modelling career. If you are such model, you have to brace yourself and be prepared because modelling is not an easy job.
Model Manon Leloup worked in front of and behind the camera for her debut documentary Speaking Dolls. Like many of those before her, including model Sara Ziff, the French model attempts to shed light on the reality of what many assume is a highly-glamorous job. What you get is a 54-minute first-hand account of the seemingly exhausting marathon of Fashion Week—which actually lasts four weeks. From New York to Paris, these models trek around each city, spending endless hours in castings. Then, if they're lucky (which in their case, they are very lucky), they move on to fittings, hair and makeup, and rehearsals for the grand finale—the live runway show for top designers like Prabal Gurung, Dolce & Gabbana and Dior. Leloup and friends, who have been hot on the modelling scene for the last two years now, take us through their journey, speaking openly about their concerns regarding longevity, competing against the new girls, and how they deal with life on the go. Below, we rounded up some of the main takeaways from Leloup's insightful documentary.
1) Every season is a new start. Popular runway models have to go on castings each season, even if they walked in the same designer's show six months prior. Each season new girls arrive, and the veterans must compete against the fresh faces—which makes them feel that their in-demand status could change overnight.
2) Models rarely have a place of their own to call home. With demanding schedules and constant traveling, new models can go an entire year without having their own home, instead living out of hotels and model apartments. Without a parent by their side, the loneliness can be very challenging.
3) New York and Paris can be the most stressful. Models feel the most pressure to be cast in the best shows in these cities.
4) There are different standards of thin. An agent in New York may tell you to lose a few pounds, but in Paris they may think you look too skinny—and that can put your job in jeopardy.
5) Fashion Week feels like school. Each fashion show is a class and the designers are the teachers. After spending so much time together, models form long-lasting friendships with their fellow cat walkers, who also serve as a support system.
6) Ultimately, it's the model's choice. They choose this job for the opportunities it affords them, but they want to be viewed as more than just the girls who wear clothes on the runway: they want to be personalities. The job makes them feel like they are actors and dancers in a role, and modelling is a form of expression and escape for them.
Source: Harper's Bazaar
Model Manon Leloup worked in front of and behind the camera for her debut documentary Speaking Dolls. Like many of those before her, including model Sara Ziff, the French model attempts to shed light on the reality of what many assume is a highly-glamorous job. What you get is a 54-minute first-hand account of the seemingly exhausting marathon of Fashion Week—which actually lasts four weeks. From New York to Paris, these models trek around each city, spending endless hours in castings. Then, if they're lucky (which in their case, they are very lucky), they move on to fittings, hair and makeup, and rehearsals for the grand finale—the live runway show for top designers like Prabal Gurung, Dolce & Gabbana and Dior. Leloup and friends, who have been hot on the modelling scene for the last two years now, take us through their journey, speaking openly about their concerns regarding longevity, competing against the new girls, and how they deal with life on the go. Below, we rounded up some of the main takeaways from Leloup's insightful documentary.
1) Every season is a new start. Popular runway models have to go on castings each season, even if they walked in the same designer's show six months prior. Each season new girls arrive, and the veterans must compete against the fresh faces—which makes them feel that their in-demand status could change overnight.
2) Models rarely have a place of their own to call home. With demanding schedules and constant traveling, new models can go an entire year without having their own home, instead living out of hotels and model apartments. Without a parent by their side, the loneliness can be very challenging.
3) New York and Paris can be the most stressful. Models feel the most pressure to be cast in the best shows in these cities.
4) There are different standards of thin. An agent in New York may tell you to lose a few pounds, but in Paris they may think you look too skinny—and that can put your job in jeopardy.
5) Fashion Week feels like school. Each fashion show is a class and the designers are the teachers. After spending so much time together, models form long-lasting friendships with their fellow cat walkers, who also serve as a support system.
6) Ultimately, it's the model's choice. They choose this job for the opportunities it affords them, but they want to be viewed as more than just the girls who wear clothes on the runway: they want to be personalities. The job makes them feel like they are actors and dancers in a role, and modelling is a form of expression and escape for them.
Tuesday 15 September 2015
Nigeria's Next Super Model Casting Dates
For all those who have been waiting, finally your wait is over. Organisers of one of the biggest modelling competitions in Nigeria, The Nigeria's Next Super Model just released casting information.
Date: 17th October 2015
Time: 2:00 pm
Venue: Studio 24, 121 Awolowo road Ikoyi Lagos
Interested female contestants are required to come along wearing a white tank top, bum shorts with heels whlie male contestants are required to be in black jeans and white t-shirts. For you to be eligible for the casting, you are required to register online on NNSM website www.nigeriasnextsupermodel.org and pay a registration fee of 5000 naira online or alternatively you can get registration forms from Erigks Modelling Agency by calling this number 08022775777.
Date: 17th October 2015
Time: 2:00 pm
Venue: Studio 24, 121 Awolowo road Ikoyi Lagos
Interested female contestants are required to come along wearing a white tank top, bum shorts with heels whlie male contestants are required to be in black jeans and white t-shirts. For you to be eligible for the casting, you are required to register online on NNSM website www.nigeriasnextsupermodel.org and pay a registration fee of 5000 naira online or alternatively you can get registration forms from Erigks Modelling Agency by calling this number 08022775777.
Highlights of the Elite Model Look Nigeria 2015 Competition
The Elite Model Look Nigeria 2015 competition was on Sunday the 13th and ModelsDiarys was there to bring you the highlight of the show.
The show started like some minutes past nine with the hosts introducing themselves. Female contestants came out strutting the runway in AD by Agbani Darego while the male contestants came out dancing to Jidenna's classic man.
Then the female contestants came out one after the other in Elite tops and shorts holding Aquafina bottles while the hosts introduced them. Funmi, Aduke, Erezi, Konum, Adewodu, Pauline, Seun, Susan, Ugochi, Vanessa came out in that order while for the male contestants Andrew, Vine, Damilola, Daniel, Promel, Michael, Seun, Tobi, Tolani, Brian. Then after that, all the models both male and female came out on stage, uncork the aquafina bottles, chorus purity guaranteed, drank the bottle of water then they went backstage.
The judges were introduced which were:
(1.) Agbani Darego: former Most Beautiful girl in Nigeria and Miss World 2001.
(2.) Ezinne Chinkata: a stylist and ceo of Zinkata
(3.) Lakin Ogunbamwo: a photographer
(4.) Bola Balogun
(5.) Norden Thursten
Shaydee steps on stage for a performance of his own part of ‘Murda’ he sang alongside Patoranking and Seyi Shay. Later the female contestants strut the runway dressed in Meena while the male contestants follow suit dressed in POC.
Toni Tones comes out on stage to perform a song titled ‘Hey Boy.’ The male contestants step out in their swimwear while she performed. Female contestants followed suit in their swimwear by Andrea Iyamah. After that, the male contestants strut the runway in design by Nelson Jack. Female contestants followed suit and strut the runway in Gozel Green. A beautiful performance by Sisano productions headed by Paola who is a dancer and also a designer.
After the performance, the male contestants strut the runway in Morafa, an upcoming designer. Female contestants step out in Sunny Rose.
Then there was the style awards for the most well dressed and stylish guests. Jide who is also known as J reason, a stylist and make up artiste and Somkele Iyamah who acted in a Nigerian soap opera ‘gidi up' won the style awards and were given a gift pack courtesy of one of the sponsors of The Elite Model Look “Veuve Cliquot.”
The 2014 winners Victor Ndigwe and Mayowa Nicholas were called on stage and asked questions and were told to do their final walk. Then a video presentation of both previous winners was projected.
Male contestants come out on the runway once again in Orange Culture.
The top five male and female contestants were announced
Top 5 Male finalists
(1.) Tolani
(2.) Andrew
(3.) Tobi
(4.) Damilola
(5.) Carmil
Top 5 Female finalists
(1.) Erezi
(2.) Funmilayo
(3.) Pauline
(4.) Ugochi
(5.) Susan
The top 10 finalists were asked to go back stage while a video presentation of the Elite contestants in the boot camp was played on the projector.
Then a last performance by Nigerian RnB singer Banky W. The top 10 finalists with the female contestants dressed in Tiffany Amber did their last walk. The top 5 male contestants come out on stage and the winner was announced which is Damilola. The top 5 female contestants were also called on stage and Funmi (the crowd's favourite) is announced winner.
So the winners of the Elite Model Look 2015 Competition are Funmi Akinjuola and Damilola Okunola.
Photo source: BellaNaija
The show started like some minutes past nine with the hosts introducing themselves. Female contestants came out strutting the runway in AD by Agbani Darego while the male contestants came out dancing to Jidenna's classic man.
Then the female contestants came out one after the other in Elite tops and shorts holding Aquafina bottles while the hosts introduced them. Funmi, Aduke, Erezi, Konum, Adewodu, Pauline, Seun, Susan, Ugochi, Vanessa came out in that order while for the male contestants Andrew, Vine, Damilola, Daniel, Promel, Michael, Seun, Tobi, Tolani, Brian. Then after that, all the models both male and female came out on stage, uncork the aquafina bottles, chorus purity guaranteed, drank the bottle of water then they went backstage.
The judges were introduced which were:
(1.) Agbani Darego: former Most Beautiful girl in Nigeria and Miss World 2001.
(2.) Ezinne Chinkata: a stylist and ceo of Zinkata
(3.) Lakin Ogunbamwo: a photographer
(4.) Bola Balogun
(5.) Norden Thursten
Shaydee steps on stage for a performance of his own part of ‘Murda’ he sang alongside Patoranking and Seyi Shay. Later the female contestants strut the runway dressed in Meena while the male contestants follow suit dressed in POC.
Toni Tones comes out on stage to perform a song titled ‘Hey Boy.’ The male contestants step out in their swimwear while she performed. Female contestants followed suit in their swimwear by Andrea Iyamah. After that, the male contestants strut the runway in design by Nelson Jack. Female contestants followed suit and strut the runway in Gozel Green. A beautiful performance by Sisano productions headed by Paola who is a dancer and also a designer.
After the performance, the male contestants strut the runway in Morafa, an upcoming designer. Female contestants step out in Sunny Rose.
Then there was the style awards for the most well dressed and stylish guests. Jide who is also known as J reason, a stylist and make up artiste and Somkele Iyamah who acted in a Nigerian soap opera ‘gidi up' won the style awards and were given a gift pack courtesy of one of the sponsors of The Elite Model Look “Veuve Cliquot.”
The 2014 winners Victor Ndigwe and Mayowa Nicholas were called on stage and asked questions and were told to do their final walk. Then a video presentation of both previous winners was projected.
Male contestants come out on the runway once again in Orange Culture.
The top five male and female contestants were announced
Top 5 Male finalists
(1.) Tolani
(2.) Andrew
(3.) Tobi
(4.) Damilola
(5.) Carmil
Top 5 Female finalists
(1.) Erezi
(2.) Funmilayo
(3.) Pauline
(4.) Ugochi
(5.) Susan
The top 10 finalists were asked to go back stage while a video presentation of the Elite contestants in the boot camp was played on the projector.
Then a last performance by Nigerian RnB singer Banky W. The top 10 finalists with the female contestants dressed in Tiffany Amber did their last walk. The top 5 male contestants come out on stage and the winner was announced which is Damilola. The top 5 female contestants were also called on stage and Funmi (the crowd's favourite) is announced winner.
So the winners of the Elite Model Look 2015 Competition are Funmi Akinjuola and Damilola Okunola.
Saturday 12 September 2015
Model of the Month_Tolu Balogun
Good morning everyone, meet our Model of the Month Tolu Balogun.
My name is Tolulope Balogun, I am from Lagos, Nigeria. I started modelling at the age of 15.
I have participated in various fashion shows and competitions in Nigeria. I emerged the winner of a competition tagged Dare2Dream by Kinabuti. I am currently the Face of First City Monument Bank (youth segment). My greatest accomplishment was being a part of the Dare2Dream project.
Apart from it being a model search, it also focused on youth empowerment. This gave me a platform to not only work on being a top model, but also work on being a renowned entrepreneur. The project also gave me an opportunity to work with my dream fashion brand, Kinabuti.
Kinabuti is an ethical driven fashion label in Lagos, Nigeria managed by Italian women. It is also a fashion initiative aimed at empowering the youth. I am a determined model and I would hit the ground running.
Statistics;
Height: 5"11
Bust: 31
Waist: 24
Hips: 33
Dress size: 6
Shoe size: 40
Hair: black
My name is Tolulope Balogun, I am from Lagos, Nigeria. I started modelling at the age of 15.
I have participated in various fashion shows and competitions in Nigeria. I emerged the winner of a competition tagged Dare2Dream by Kinabuti. I am currently the Face of First City Monument Bank (youth segment). My greatest accomplishment was being a part of the Dare2Dream project.
Apart from it being a model search, it also focused on youth empowerment. This gave me a platform to not only work on being a top model, but also work on being a renowned entrepreneur. The project also gave me an opportunity to work with my dream fashion brand, Kinabuti.
Kinabuti is an ethical driven fashion label in Lagos, Nigeria managed by Italian women. It is also a fashion initiative aimed at empowering the youth. I am a determined model and I would hit the ground running.
Statistics;
Height: 5"11
Bust: 31
Waist: 24
Hips: 33
Dress size: 6
Shoe size: 40
Hair: black
Friday 11 September 2015
Meet male model Adeniran Olamilekan
Hello everyone. Please meet male model Adeniran Olamile
My name is Adeniran Olamilekan. Am an upcoming model and Actor. I was born on the 3rd of March 1995
Am an editorial model I will also love to be on the runway too if 5:11ft is allowed. Fashionista and top models like Sean O'pry and Tyson Beckford inspired my modelling Career. I fell in love with modelling way back 8years. I accompanied a friend of mine to a shoot were I had the opportunity to meet some photographers. I reached out to the photographers on set, which includes Kayode Aliyu,and Nwach Kwu Davichy (selfie photography works).
This shoot is tagged: THE RETURN OF A COWBOY, styled by the photographer DAVICHY and I. A big shout to Michael Bassey who helped push start my Modelling career with his ithink concept #THE MODEL WORKSHOP
Connect with Adeniran on his social media platforms.
Adeywealth Olarmelaykon : FB
Adeywealthofficial :Instagram
Adeywealth_O : Twitter
My name is Adeniran Olamilekan. Am an upcoming model and Actor. I was born on the 3rd of March 1995
This shoot is tagged: THE RETURN OF A COWBOY, styled by the photographer DAVICHY and I. A big shout to Michael Bassey who helped push start my Modelling career with his ithink concept #THE MODEL WORKSHOP
Connect with Adeniran on his social media platforms.
Adeywealth Olarmelaykon : FB
Adeywealthofficial :Instagram
Adeywealth_O : Twitter
Monday 7 September 2015
Nigerian Models Are Not Slaves, We Are Special Beings 2
Hello Everyone, guess who is back again. hope you all are doing good? Not had time to post recently, but yay!! I'm back.
I hope you guys learnt from my last post and gained something meaningful. This post is actually a continuation of my last post. Basically I'm going to talk about how models can work together and individually to change how we are being treated in Nigeria. My suggestion is open to more suggestions so please drop your comments or send a mail to modelsdiarys@gmail.com.
I believe we models in Nigeria are being cheated on and treated unfairly for years now. Many models have different stories to tell when it comes to that. The last model's workshop I attended, one of the facilitators was talking about this problem most models face in Nigeria and said there is a plan to create a union, there were so many attempts in the past. Really I believe we don’t have to wait to create a union, we can bring that change to ourselves starting from each model individually. So due to the rush work I did when writing my last post, I'm going to expatiate more on my last post and probably profer solutions and give suggestions.
(1.) We models in Nigeria should create a forum were we can all come together and talk about the problems facing the modelling industry. This forum can be in form of a community, a meeting or any other way. We put heads together, bring up suggestion and discussion, set out our terms and conditions in clear terms and distribute a circular to the relevant stakeholders involved. This way, we can make a headway.
(2.) Models should go on strike(if you all feel it is a good idea). The Nigerian Labour Congress when they want to pass across a message as to certain issues, after discussions with the relevant bodies in charge and their needs are not met, they go on industrial strikes. We as models are part of the labour force in Nigeria, we are guaranteed the freedom to peaceful protest and industrial action under the 1999 constitution(talking like a lawyer already). We should all come together and agree cooperate not to work for a month. This way, the relevant stakeholders will feel our impact and know our worth. The fashion designers who treat you and talk to you anyhow they want because they feel they are doing you a favour by letting you wear their outfit will treat you nicely, the agency you are signed with who are not representing you well and cheating you because they feel they are doing you a favour getting you these jobs and giving you such ridiculous amount of money, will start treating you nicely, fashion shows who get you all worked up like a horse despite the fact that they are paying you so little will even send you an apology letter for treating you the way they did. This strike I'm talking about is about passing across a message to the relevant bodies that we models deserves to be treated right because we are also human beings with feelings, needs and emotions. They won't like it if they are being treated the way they treat us. We models have a right not to be discriminated on the basis of circumstances but we have a right to equal treatment.
(3.) As a model, you need to have the right mind-set. The message I'm trying to pass across to you is that be positive in everything you do. Remove all negative energy around you. I go to a church were we are taught positivity, everything you say to yourself and you think of is what will happen to you. For example, if someone tells you that being a model in Nigeria is hard, you will be paid little compared to the work you do, you will face so many challenges as a model in Nigeria, which is true, but a model with a positive mind-set won't go back home and start thinking ‘ahhh, someone told me that modelling in Nigeria is hard, ahhh someone told me that I may not make it as a model, ahha someone told me as a model in Nigeria, I will be paid little, can I make it as a model like this?? My dear you might not make it oooo with that type of mind-set because modelling is not for the faint hearted. A model with a positive mind-set will go home, think about modelling in Nigeria in a positive way, will say to himself although it is true that modelling in Nigeria is hard, I will make it if I just push and work harder, a model with a positive mind-set will go home and make a plan on ways he can break barriers. A model with a positive mind-set will go home and look for ways to prepare himself for the challenges he might face. A very popular example my pastor cites is that, you hear in the news that the price of dollar has increased, the economy of Nigeria will soon crash(God forbid), there is low demand for oil in the international market etc. As a model, how those that affect you and your work?? How does low demand for crude oil in the international market affect you?? But you know some models, they will think about this matter even more than the government who it concerns, they will take paracetamol for someone else's headache. What they don't know is that the more they think about it, they have the mind-set already and it starts manifesting in their life. Such model will go around with this mind-set that 'ah since the economic situation in Nigeria is really bad and these are hard times, money is hard to find, let me just manage this 5k this guy is offering me for the job at least it is still something. If you go on in life with this kind of mind-set, all your life, you will be a kobo kobo model. See Bolu Benson, he said he has never done a free or mediocre job before, that is because he had the right mind-set, set the goal and now he is a top model. Let us say he too was among the category of models who believe let me do free jobs jare, the economic situation is hard, do you think he will be where he is now? And can you see how the mind-set is manifesting positively in his life, he has been rejected for a modelling job just once. Do you guys get my point.
(4.)Set your standards. Two years ago when my passion for modelling was still hot(it is still hot tho). I met this lady who is also a model and who always encouraged me and gave me that moral support even when so many models tell me I may not make it as a model. She gave me some advice generally and one of such advice is as a model, you need to have standards. Do not let anyone force you into doing what you don't want to do. As models in Nigeria, we need to set our/a standard individually and as a group. One of the main problem in the modelling industry is that there are more models who want to work for free than those who want to be paid well for the work they do which shouldn't be so. We are adults, we shouldn't let anyone take advantage of us and use us the way they like. If we set our standards as models collectively, I think we will be taken seriously. Let us have our own laws, let us have our rules and regulations, let us have our terms and conditions which every one who wants to work with us abide with. It is high time we started working professionally. We can start by agreeing collectively that no model in Nigeria shall accept less than 20,000 naira for a job depending on the client and work. We can agree as models in Nigeria that we are not doing free or cheap jobs again. Then models individually should agree that OK, since this is the limit set my models, let me up the ante a little bit, let me charge this amount for this job. If you are signed under an agency, talk to your agent, tell them this is what you set for yourself, tell them to support you because you guys are helping each other. An agent who has your interest at heart will support your decision. I'm not saying you should go and meet your agent that as from now on, you want to be paid 100,000 for every job. Just set a meeting with your agent and tell them ‘I have decided that as from now on, the least I will be collecting for any job as a model is 30,000’. Or in a better way, every other model who you are signed under the same agency with, call them together, have a meeting, you guys should set your standards and pass it on to your agency collectively. But you know the annoying thing about some models, after reading this they will still be satisfied with that 5,000 job they are doing because they believe if they don’t, there are 50 other models that will accept the job joyfully. Must you be that type of model?? Don’t you need money to create your portfolio?? Don’t you need money to take care of yourself?? Don’t you want to make millions out of modelling?? Don’t you have plans for the future?? if you are that type of model please shift and don’t transfer your ill luck on serious models who want to make money and get paid for the job. You guys should know that modelling is a career, a profession, it is not a hobby, you should get paid for what you do. That is the difference between a profession and a hobby. It is only models who see modelling as an hobby to do for fun that will settle for less than they deserve. If you belong to that category of models, this post is not meant for you. I'm talking to models who are tired of given a choice of either doing a free job or letting the next person do it. As a model in Nigeria, set your standard, let people see you as a model who should not be taken for granted. Be a bankable model not a kobo kobo model. Let people see you as a model that although she takes her modelling career seriously, she as well doesn't joke with her money. This also applies to having the right mind-set. As a model, as from today after reading this post, say to yourself 'as from now on I won't collect less than so so so so for this job.' When anyone approaches you for a cheap or free job, tell them ‘no, I cannot collect such amount you are offering me, this is how much I charge, I can’t settle for less, if you think I’m too expensive and you cant afford me, please kindly ask another model'. Hold up a sec tho, I'm not saying that a photographer approaches you for a shoot and you charge exorbitant prices. Please don't oooo. Photographers have really helped so many models in Nigeria, so be nicer because not only you get the chance of doing a shoot without paying a dime, you get your pictures which you add to your portfolio. So please do not charge photographers too much when they ask you to come shoot with you. For upcoming models, don't ask a photographer to pay you when he approaches you for shoot. Subsequently, you start asking for pay because an upcoming model, whether you like it or not, a photographer is needed to kick-start your career.
(5.) Do not be a fool. Have you guys noticed the new trend, where you are asked to come and register to work for a show. Two years ago, I fell to that kind of trick. There was this fashion show coming up, and the organiser, told us to pay 1k each to register for the job. After paying the 1k, we were asked to audition for the job. At the end of the day, less than half of the models who paid were not picked. We were been swindled of our hard earned money. This person I’m talking about is kind of popular. He owns an agency, a magazine, the name of the magazine starts with the letter C, his own name starts with letter N. The name of the fashion show starts with G. If you are reading this, don’t think I have not forgotten how you made me part with my 1000naira in the hopes that I will get the job. Hmmmm, there are so many models who were even asked to pay and even paid more than that. If you are one of these models, once bitten, twice shy, ‘open ya eyes', this is Nigeria, everyone is looking for ways to make money and one of such ways is through fraud. This is 2015, open your eyes wide. This year, a fashion show asked models to come and pay 2000naira for registration. I called the fashion show organiser even though I wasn’t interested in doing the job that why I’m I paying to work for you. He said there are so many benefits attached to working for the show. He said Beth Model Management and Isis Model Management are going to be there to scout for models of which if I had even called Mrs Joan Okorodudu then to ask her if it is true she is going to be at so so so fashion show to scout for models, she might not be aware of that, but there was no need doing that. The gist of what I’m saying is not to pay to work for any show. They should pay you, not the other way round. Don’t say ‘let me do it so I can get the pictures’(very common slang we models enjoy using), do you know as a model, you need to do a new shoot every 3 to 4 months. The pictures will expire, then you will be left with nothing but pains in your legs and no money in your wallet while the organisers are smiling all the way to the bank and even call you fools on top the money you paid. Please be sharp and smart. You are not an NGO, you are a model and as a model take your work seriously so people will take you seriously.
I think that will be all for now, thanks for reading till the end even though the post is quite long. There is an audition today at 7 salvation road Opebi, Ikeja, Lagos by 9:30am. Please be there. Watch out for my subsequent post. Thanks.
Photo source: urbanrocnigeria.
Photo source: urbanrocnigeria.
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