Modeling- many correlate this profession/industry with glitz, glamour, catfights and low calorie diets. This past weekend has shown us many new sides to this industry in the states and abroad- at least for those trying to break in. Now while there is no college that I know of that grants a degree in modeling, many young women and men are being faced with new challenges as reality shows are becoming the universities for commencement in the industry.

America’s Next Top Model (ANTM) has provided many with the opportunity to see the grueling behind the scenes reality of the modeling industry. It’s not all Pucci and zero calorie drinks like we thought. In fact, this past weekend in New York City at an open casting call we learned that being a model also requires skills many of us native New Yorkers are all too familiar with, interacting with the New York Police Department (NYPD) and reacting to unforseen disasters. On Saturday, March 14th, hundreds if not thousands of young women from the east to the west coast, lined up outside the Park Central Hotel in New York City. A car is reported to have unexpectedly backfired, alarming many. It’s reported that the NYPD was not given notice of the casting call, which drew larger than normal crowds when it opened up to women under 5 feet 7 inches, and were therefore not prepared to deal with a crowd that size. Three individuals were arrested and six suffered minor injuries in the aftermath that ensued. Tyra Banks, supermodel and host and executive producer of ANTM, made a statement to those affected and announced that those in attendance would be given another chance to try out for the show.

However, last weekend as well across the Atlantic, model wannabes had a very different experience. It is well known that many models are often thought of as foreign, exotic beauties. So, it’s no wonder that Pulse Caribbean Model Search (CMS) took to Jamaica this past weekend to start taping it’s international reality tv model search. These contestants were treated to a gourmet dinner hosted in their honor to start off the competition which has always been won by a native Jamaican. It should be noted however that like the ANTM contestants as well as other model reality shows such as Make Me A Supermodel , the CMS contestants must participate in various activities and challenges. In the tropical weather of the islands contestants should be ready to be exposed to high temperatures and possibly a picture or two with an iquana – hey it might happen, it is Jamaica after all.

Many young men and women are choosing the reality show route to get a break in what is well known as a tough industry to excel in. Even if they aren’t the winners, the contestants have gained publicity and hopefully learned some valuable skills to help their career in the industry. Afterall, we can’t all expect to be discovered eating Big Macs like Gisele “Supermodel” Bundchen was in her native Brazil. In fact most of us eating Big Macs shouldn’t expect to be discovered at all if you know what I mean. It may be worth a broken heel or two at a casting call as supermodels earn upwards of thousands of dollars merely for appearances much less actual “work” as a model. So ladies and gents while you’re dreaming of catwalks I suggest you get some practice first on sidewalks-sache, shante!