This is a follow-up to my previous Slim vs. Sick post, so read that first!

That article sparked a lively Facebook conversation with my model friends from back in the day and from today. I’m sharing their comments here so you can take more than my word for it: Models eat!

Lovely Leslie! My close friend’s comp card from the 90s.

90s Models on What Living Large and Staying Trim Meant Then

RICKY: I loved my food and wine/beer. Maybe my downfall at times was that I never really cared about weight. I didn’t care. I lived a life full of friends, culture, travel, adventures, smokes, booze (but not too extreme), and never let the business get the best of me. I didn’t do the job for the financial aspect but for the opportunity to travel and see the world, and that I did. I saw so many incredible countries, so many adventures—enough to last a lifetime! I’m sorry for those girls who struggled with eating disorders; the business never meant that much to me to sacrifice food and fun!

A page from my model scrapbooks, with Sophie Patitz and Ricky Haas. I met them in Munich in the 90s and we are still close friends.

LESLIE: I’ve always loved food and never personally understand eating issues. I never had that issue but I completely enjoyed cigs—every single one of them. That habit was acceptable in the 90s in Europe, but unfortunately it’s very addicting. It took years to quit and I finally did it. I was always healthy other than that and never had to diet.

We had no idea how fortunate we were and no touching up anything—just Polaroids to check lighting. We truly were the last generation before full-on technology. We were lucky, saw the world, had a blast, and made lots of memories together ❤️

JILL: And no cell phones. We actually had to read maps! And I’m sure we learned the cities much more thoroughly that way ;) GPS – nah, too easy!

Shows in Dusseldorf, road trip to Salamanca, model pension in Madrid (I was the only girl among all these male models!)

RICKY: My geography is so fine tuned due to the good ol’ days. The way I entered the modeling days in 1988 would be shocking to current models…”Here is a map of our city and here is a list of 10 clients you must see in a 9-hour period. Good luck! And P.S. sorry you don’t speak the language!”

The Model Diet in 2020

ALEXA: I’ve definitely had trouble with the measurements and how to enjoy healthy eating, until you took me in and taught me the heathy food ways I wasn’t introduced to before(: I was very naturally skinny no matter what I ate, until I hit the time where my metabolism slowed down. There was a time where I was desperate and too focused on the weight, and how to lose it and tried to do special “diets” that weren’t necessarily healthy but that never helped. Eating healthy and working out is definitely what is needed—good for you and your body. I am super thankful for you and taking me in and teaching me ❤ I’ve definitely heard a lot about models only drinking coffee and smoking.

Gorgeous Alexa Kissling, summer 2020

JILL: Awww, it’s a true honor to steer the next generation down a healthy path—mind and body—so you too can have the time of your life in the modeling world. When you look back years later, you’ll remember the friends you made, the places you went, the adventures you had. The tear sheets won’t matter as much—they’re the bonus. I saved all my portfolios. Half contain my modeling tear sheets and photos. The other half I made into scrapbooks of photos, notes, and keepsakes from my decade in the biz—those are the ones I look at all the time.

BIG CONGRATS TO ALEXA KISSLING, DISCOVERED THROUGH MY MODEL SEARCH, ON RECENTLY SIGNING WITH RED MODEL MANAGEMENT IN NYC! (Check out all of her amazing pics at the link!)

ENTER MY MODELING MENTOR MODEL SEARCH

Tis the season to take a break from modeling castings and bookings, but the beautiful people just gotta keep posing…

Former Model of the Month Cooper Gusick, shot by Diana Zicklin Berrent

Rivers Reid, a 2017 Model of the Month (don’t forget to “like” your fave Model of the Month!)

The beautiful and talented Grace Mozitis

Another talented beauty: Sydney Freihofer

My family, having a little photo shoot fun!

“Like” Your Favorite Model of the Month!

Rocky Mountain Model…

Congrats, Temperance Nichols!

Model Temperance Nichols

Height: 5’10″   waist: 24   hips: 34   bust: 32   dress: 2   shoe: 9

Based in Denver, Represented by Wilhelmina Denver

This woman has great timing! Her submission landed in my inbox TODAY, just as I was about to post the model of the month I had chosen last night. (Be patient. The one I had in mind submitted months ago. Her/his time is still coming!) When someone this fiercely beautiful comes along, there is no time to delay. I had to share her with the modeling industry pronto! The fact that she is based in the city that launched little ‘ol me is an added perk. (Read about that HERE.) I can picture Temperance strutting down the runway to bigger markets, just as I did. Stay tuned to see where she lands!

Temperance Nichols

Remember, your submissions are still eligible for next month!

Don’t forget to “like” the page of your favorite Model of the Month

Barclay’s Guide to Cultivating Style, Sanity, Silliness and Self-Love—in Sickness and in Health

I’ve spent the last few months collaborating with my friend and former colleague, Barclay Fryery, to share his amazing story. He is one of the most inspirational people I’ve ever met. He is also one of the most dashing gentlemen I’ve ever known. Here is a photo from his modeling days. He’s six foot six, so being too tall meant a short modeling career! Instead, he worked his way up to the top of the interior design world.

Barclay Fryery, modeling in New Orleans in the 1980s

Our book is about that and so much more…

Cancer Looks Good on You is the most uplifting cancer story you will ever read, because it is about a man who chooses to seize the day, not count how many days he has left. From his youth as a tormented gay boy in the Deep South to his rise to the top of the design world, and from discovering a lump in his neck to planning his after-party, Barclay tackles life’s challenges with grace, humor, and indomitable optimism. This book shares wisdom that will help you make over your house, your attitude, and your view of the end. Cancer Looks Good on You is for everybody but is a must-read for anyone struggling with illness or yearning to know how to support someone who is.

All profits from the Special Edition hardcover will go toward fulfilling Barclay’s vision of creating a charity focused on teen suicide prevention and supporting LGBTQ youth.

Order Your Copy and Support a Great Cause: CancerLooksGoodonYou.com

You can also read the Prologue on the website. The book and e-book will be available on Amazon soon. The paperback will be distributed to bookstores by Ingram.

Praise for Cancer Looks Good on You and Barclay Fryery:

“Barclay Fryery is a deeply talented interior designer—and an extraordinary character. His remarkable story of strength and resilience is one you will never forget.” —Margaret Russell, Editor of Galerie magazine and former Editor-in-Chief of Elle Decor and Architectural Digest

“Barclay Fryery made a huge impact on me. In fact, he has made one on everyone who was blessed to know him. Tall and blond, sunglasses, always perfectly tanned and fabulous, he lit up every room he walked into. His taste: impeccable. His humor: biting and witty and always spot on. He taught me how to find my own style and for that, I will be eternally grateful. I love you, big guy.”   —Lara Spencer, co-anchor of Good Morning America, correspondent for Nightline and ABC News, author of I Brake for Yard Sales and Flea Market Fabulous: Designing Gorgeous Rooms with Vintage Treasures

“Barclay is unbelievably talented. He has great taste. He has a great feel for color, for fabric, for any kind of décor. He probably also could have been a fashion designer. He knows exactly what he’s doing, what he’s talking about, what he’s planning, what he’s strategizing and creating at every moment.”  —Tommy Hilfiger, fashion designer

Meet the Model Search judges:

Erin Lundgren-Scimeca, Director of Scouting at New York Model Management

Erin has been in the industry for 20 years. She worked as a scout at Elite in the Nineties when they represented most of the supermodels in the industry. Erin organized the Elite Model Look contest and then was promoted to Director of Elite Model Look North America. Five years later, she moved to New York Models to run their scouting division.Erin oversees the new faces as well as the movement and placement of the models at the agency.

Page Parkes, Founder/Owner of Page Parkes Corporation

Page founded her agency in Texas 30 years ago and made a name for herself throughout the international modeling circuit. She was one of the first agents to open a branch in the lucrative Miami market (her agency there eventually merged with Ford). She has discovered big-name stars, including Channing Tatum, Shannon Elizabeth, Woody Harrelson, Brooke Burns, and Alexis Bledel. Her finds are placed in major agencies across the globe and her expert eye landed her on E!’s reality show Scouted. Read all about Page here: Exclusive Interview With Page Parkes From Scouted

Susan Miner, Supermodel, Psychologist, Author, and Founder of Susan Miner Beauty

As an international supermodel, Susan Miner graced the cover of numerous top magazines, including Vogue, Elle, Marie Claire, Self, and Harper’s Bazaar. Her face represented such powerhouses as Revlon, Maybelline, and L’Oreal. After she retired she got her BA in Psychology (Summa Cum Laude) and MA in Counseling and then became an adjunct Professor of Psychology and therapist.

Currently, as President of Beauty From the Inside Out, Inc., Susan is a keynote speaker, Beautiful Energy workshop facilitator, author and counselor. Her expertise as a supermodel and therapist merged into one passion: To raise your inner peace and beauty! Susan is committed to helping you tap into and unleash your Beautiful Energy. Her book Beautiful Energy: Exercises to Reveal Your Inner Peace contains the step by step of how to reduce your anxiety in written, audio and video format.

Subcribe for free mini energy sessions and beauty tips: Youtube: Susan Miner

Read my interview with Susan Miner.

Jill Johnson: Former Model, Founder of Tear Sheet magazine, Writer, Modeling Mentor, and Stage Mom. Read more about Jill Johnson.  (And stay tuned for a blog in defense of stage moms!)

Subscribe to the free monthly Modeling Mentor Newsletter!