Model of the Year Em Marie Scores Tear Sheets in Japan, Korea, China, Thailand…

A few years ago I spotted a teenager in Maine who radiated the kind of beauty that makes heads swivel, like Vogue casting director type heads. With her china doll skin, dusting of freckles, bold brows, and contagious smile, Em Marie was a girl I didn’t have doubts about. I whisked her straight into an agency in New York where she was signed on the spot.

I made Em my Model of the Month. I knew she’d win Model of the Year. I knew she’d make it. But I couldn’t have predicted the dizzying speed at which she would rack up the most sought after tear sheets in the biz before even hitting the age of 18. She has landed in the pages of Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar multiple times, in multiple countries.

While she’s at it, Em has immersed herself in the culture of each place she visits and explored every corner of Asia courageously and tirelessly—all the time celebrating the highs and laughing off the lows of the life on the road far from home. If you aren’t reading her blog EmMariexox.com and following her on Instagram, you are missing the best modeling travelogue out there!

Here are just a few of Em’s dozens of tear sheets from Asia, one more dazzling than the next…

The Many Modeling Faces of Em Marie

Em Marie in Vogue Spy

Em Marie, “Gray’s Anatomy,” Vogue Spy

Dreamy Em Marie in Vogue Spy

Em Marie in Thailand

Em Marie modeling for Rosenkrantz

Em Marie for Cartier, Vogue Thailand

Clean beauty

Stay tuned to see which continent Em conquers next!

Want to be the next Modeling Mentor Model of the Year? Enter the Modeling Mentor Model Search!

Dear readers, aspiring models and actors, and patient parents,

It has been one crazy year for the Mann Clan* and my actor kids have hijacked my life! If you do not like routine and prefer not to have any idea where you might be in 24 hours, getting your kids into acting is a great way to achieve that!

But now I’m settled out in L.A. where my oldest son, Jamie, is shooting a new Netflix show. Everyone in the cast, crew, and creative team is incredibly nice so I expect to have a lovely writing sojourn out here and get back into action on much neglected Modelingmentor.com!

If you are a Model of the Month winner for 2019, hold tight; Model of the Year will be announced in May. Have your friends and fans “like” your Model of the Month page in the meantime (industry judges determine Model of the Year; likes determine the People’s Choice winner).

*My married name is Mann in case you are confused. My maiden and professional name is Johnson. But as my professional and personal lives have gotten all mixed up together, I’m occasionally adopting the clearer but unmelodious Jill Johnson Mann. Who wants all those “son” and “man’s” in their name?

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Haven’t entered yet? What are you waiting for? It’s easy and free, just visit this link and submit your photos and stats: MODEL SEARCH

“For Life” and “Country Comfort” Shameless Plugs

Tune into the premiere of “For Life” on February 11 on ABC to see my son Cameron Mann as Justin Masry—or better, to see his moms, Mary Stuart Masterson (I’ve been obsessed with her ever since Some Kind of Wonderful and tried not to geek out when chatting with her. She’s just another mom of 4… except so much more) and Indira Varma (riveting), in this new prison/legal show, which is based on a true story.

Katharine McPhee and Eddie Cibrian – “Country Comfort” – Deadline

Keep an eye out for Jamie Martin Mann as Brody in “Country Comfort” with Katharine McPhee, coming to Netflix later this year!

The Kids of “Country Comfort”: Ricardo Hurtado, Jamie Martin Mann, Pyper Braun, Shiloh Verrico and Griffin McIntyre

Stay Tuned for an Update on Em Marie, Model of the Year 2016

I hope you are following her on social media because she is a role model for how to make the most of your modeling adventures! Em Marie’s Instagram

Child Model Winner

Congrats, Lucy!

Lucy Roth strutting the runway, in clothes she designed, at Ellen Gang Design Studio

Height: 55″    Age: 9   Size: 8

Based in CT
Photo by Kerry Long

I saw Lucy in a fashion show recently, and her fierce strut worked like a jolt of caffeine on an audience placidly enjoying a parade of children modeling clothes they had sewn themselves. Lucy was a supermodel among amateurs. The graphic designer friend by my side leaned in and said, “I’d like to do a shoot with that girl.” My friend was not privy to the fact that Lucy normally sports a bald head, as a result of her struggle with Alopecia Areata, an autoimmune disease that causes hair loss. I knew this; I’d seen her bravely displaying her naked head on Facebook and thought she was an amazing, inspiring little girl. But on that runway, I caught a glimpse of something more, as did my friend: a model powerhouse of the Linda Evangelista variety with the entrancing glare of Stella Tennant and speedy gait of Tatjana Patitz. She bowled me over and I had to share her with all of you.

Lucy Roth modeling the jacket she made at Ellen Gang Design Studio and channeling Stella Tennant

In the show, for Ellen Gang Design Studio, Lucy wore a wig made by Children With Hair Loss, an organization located in Michigan that provides free human hair wigs for kids struggling with hair loss. Unlike other programs like Locks of Love, when people donate hair to Children with Hair Loss, it goes directly to kids who need it–with no thousand-dollar price tag.

Alopecia Areata is very unpredictable. Hair can fall out or regrow at any time. There is currently no cure for this condition, though about 1-2% of the population suffers from it at some point. Lucy had no hair during third grade but she powered through radiantly. She doesn’t normally wear the wig but rather opts for just a thin hat and sometimes nothing at all. I asked Lucy how she stays strong and confident. She replied, “I just put myself out there and take the risk.” She says she is thankful for her friends, who have been so supportive and kind to her.

There is much beauty in this story. Thank you, Lucy.

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Lucy Roth, an alopecia areata sufferer, celebrates her unique beauty. Photo by Kerry Long.

Lucy Roth looking askance in mirrors. Photo by Kerry Long.

Congrats Boy Models: Dilan, Conor & Shane Macom!

Dilon (left), Conor (upper rt), and Shane Macom (lower rt)

Dilan: Height: 4’2″   Age: 8 (9 in March)    Size 7/8
Conor: Height: 3’10″    Age: 6 (7 in April)    Size 6/7
Shane: Height: 4’9″   Age: 10   Size 10

Based in NY

Seeking Representation

What a house full of cuties at the Macom’s! Their submission came in this past summer and I’ve been anticipating their appearance as Models of the Month. Lesson? Be patient! I have tons of submissions but your lucky month could pop up any time. Good luck to the Macom trio — I expect NY kids agents to take note.

Modelingmentor.com Blog Highlights

I’m a tad behind this month, as I’m redesigning my entire site! Stay tuned for a more user-friendly experience, gorgeous design, and new opportunities like a TALENT SEARCH!

Enter the 2019 Modeling Mentor Model Search and get discovered!

Child Model (Girl) Winner Congrats, Ameena!

She is the fourth of four November winners.

Ameena McMiller
Height: 39 cm
Age: 3
Size: 3–4T
Based in New York
Seeking Representation

Child model Ameena Miller

Ameena Miller

Model Ida Nevstad, shot by Tomira Wilcox

Ida Nevstad, by Tomira Wilcox

Height: 5’8 1/2″    Age: 16     Size 2
Based in Westport, CT
Seeking Representation 
Photos by Tomira Wilcox Photography

This beauty has already been testing; I love this bright, flowery shoot to celebrate spring! Ida has even developed some freelance clients around town. It’s only a matter of time before the agencies come knocking… My prediction: sometime soon after they see this post. Stay tuned!

Ida Nevstad, by Tomira Wilcox

Stay tuned for updates on the Modeling Mentor Models of the Month who have landed big contracts and top agencies this year!

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Congrats, Redhead Model Lauren Sembrot!

Model Lauren Sembrot

Height: 5’7″    Age: 13    Size 0

Based in Connecticut

Seeking Representation 

With her gorgeous red mane, magnetic blue eyes, and lanky figure, this striking girl is hard to miss! I just happen to know she has tall parents and a mom who looks like Nicole Kidman, so I’ll be keeping an eye on Lauren!

Model Lauren Sembrot

Model Lauren Sembrot

Enter the 2018 Modeling Mentor Model Search and get discovered!

Stay tuned for the latest news on Modeling Mentor Models of the Month who are hitting the bigtime across the globe!

Congrats, Julianne!

Model Julianne Walker, Shot by Beth Cardwell

Height: 5’9″    Age: 18    Size: 2

Based in Lancaster, PA

Seeking Representation
Photo by Beth Cardwell

This stunning, all-American beauty is a top student, great athlete, and, obviously, very photogenic! There is interest brewing with an agent. Stay tuned to follow Julianne’s journey and see how college, lacrosse tournaments, and catwalks all fit together! These days, with the right guidance, modeling does not mean giving up everything else to follow your dream.

Enter the 2018 Modeling Mentor Model Search and get discovered!

Congrats, Marisa Barnard!

Marisa Barnard by Fadil Berisha

Height: 5’10″    34-25-37   Size 4  

Based in New York

Seeking Representation

Photo by Fadil Berisha

Marisa caught my attention for a few reasons, beyond that pretty face… Like me, she chose to finish college before launching her modeling career, and she loves to write. Marisa has a cool blog, where she posts about fashion, style, philosophy, and my favorite city: NYC, of course! Check out HappensForaReason.com  These days, having a voice is key. Brands want to be associated with models who have something to say. 

Marisa Barnard by Fadil Berisha

I also recognized the style of Marisa’s headshot and sure enough, it was taken by Fadil Berisha—longtime supporter of Tear Sheet magazine and a wonderful human being. He did my headshots many years ago. I recall being wowed by his gigantic studio on a go-see when I first got to New York; later he shot the cover and beauty stories for my magazine there and I came to call him my friend. It was a whole different way of feeling I’d made it in the Big Apple, which is a good reminder that being ON the cover isn’t the only route to success. There are so many players on a photo shoot, and each is exceptional in a different way. (To read about another type of “player,” check out How Big a Role Does the Casting Couch Play in the Modeling World).

So what more can I say about choosing Marisa as my Model of the Month winner, except… it happened for a reason!

Remember, your submissions are still eligible for next month (I received this submission many months ago).  Also, SEND ME YOUR FAVORITE FESTIVE MODELING SHOT FOR MY DECEMBER HOLIDAY MODEL OF THE MONTH CONTEST!

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

Olivia & Savannah Lin

Height: 37″    Size: 4T    Age: 4.5    

Based in NYC

Seeking Representation

This adorable pair was just too cute to pass up! It seems to be the summer of Asian models around here. I always pick my favorite submission with beauty as the deciding factor, not ethnicity. I have a feeling both modeling and talent agencies are going to be clamoring for the Lin twins!

Adorable duo!

Double the Fun!

Remember, your submissions are still eligible for next month! Several in my inbox have already caught my eye, so stay tuned.

Enter the Modeling Mentor Model Search!