Teen Actor Jamie Mann Hosts Virtual Cabaret for Actor/Screenwriter Obi Ndefo Who Lost Both Legs

9/11 to Covid 19…

It’s been a rough spring. I’ve gone quiet on Modelingmentor.com in the same way I struggled to churn out an issue of Tear Sheet magazine after 9/11. The modeling and fashion industry seemed so superficial from the vantage point of an office in Chelsea, where the stomach churning odor of the mass grave downtown lingered for weeks. Now, during the Covid 19 pandemic, we’ve all been in sweatpants for months and fashion shoots seem like opulent affairs from another lifetime.

Back in 2001, I coped by dedicating the subsequent issue of Tear Sheet to everyone in the fashion industry who was doing something to help the families and companies hit hardest. Those planes of doom may have changed the skyline of New York City but not its heart. Likewise, this pandemic has ravaged people and businesses across the globe, but hope is only ever as far away as the click of a mouse. John Krasinski’s Some Good News was my favorite feel-good pick-me-up of the spring. Watch every 15-minute episode if you haven’t yet.

Actor/Screenwriter Obi Ndefo

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood…

Closer to home, my oldest son Jamie broke out of his Netflix-binge-watching cocoon and did some good. He had been on the other side of the screen this winter, actually acting in a Netflix show (Country Comfort), up until the pandemic hit and halted production. It was like going from the high of your childhood dream come true with the most awesome cast and crew ever to being quarantined for four months with just your family. Oh, wait a minute, it wasn’t like that, it was that! But during that cooped-up time, Jamie took to running (briefly) with his dad. And that’s when he met Obi Ndefo, by chance, in Silver Lake, where Obi lives, and where we happened to be living during filming. Obi, a Nigerian-Jewish American actor/screenwriter was in a wheelchair and Jamie’s dad recognized his Yale classmate.

Jamie Mann and Obi Ndefo during the June 30 Virtual Cabaret Benefit

To learn what happened next and why Obi Ndefo is the role model for the attitude we need to get through these trying times, both with the pandemic and racial tensions, read the story in Broadway World.

And listen to Obi Ndefo’s powerful message for humanity:

Have a Model Citizen story for me?  That’s what I’m digging these days. Model submissions welcome as well—fingers crossed the biz kicks in so we can shed our sweatpants someday soon. But let’s not lose our new-found perspective on the stuff that’s really important.

Top 10 Modeling Agencies in New York – Women’s Division

Teen girls through young women looking for representation by reputable modeling agencies in NYC—the biggest modeling hub of the U.S.—this is the list for you! Agencies go in and out of vogue as fast as models do, so it’s key to have up-to-date info on the who’s who of the booking world. You also have to look out for all the modeling scams out there; plenty of slimeballs are ready to take advantage of your modeling dreams and turn them into a nightmare. The modeling agencies on this list are not going to ask for money to see them or sign with them. They are the real deal and they are very busy, so rather than pestering them by phone, refer to the info and their website links below to find out how to submit your photos or attend an open call [What to Wear to an Open Call]. You also can submit to my model search to be seen by top agents: Enter the Modeling Mentor Model Search 

If you are looking for an agency for your child, refer to this post: Top Kids Modeling Agencies in NYC

If you are looking for a top modeling agency for men, look for a blog post on that topic coming soon!

DNA

Models on DNA’s main board

DNA Models

T. 212-226-0080
555 West 25th Street, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10001

Elite

Elite Models “Elite” Division

Open Call: Tuesdays at 5 pm
(Must be at least 5’7″ and 15 years old)
Empower Me/Submissions: Elite
245 5th Avenue, 24th Floor
New York, New York 10016

Ford Models

Models on Ford’s Women’s Board

Get Scouted: Ford Models

T. 212-219-6500
11 East 26th Street, 14th Floor
New York, NY 10010

IMG

Models from IMG’s Women’s Division

Get Scouted: IMG Models

T. 212-253-8884
304 Park Avenue South, 12th Floor
New York, NY 10010

New York Model Management

Models in the Women’s Division at New York Models

Open Call: Thursdays, 10:30 to 11:30 am
(Age 13+, 5’9″ to 6′)
Become a Model: New York Models

T. 212-539-1700
71 West 23rd Street, Suite 301
New York, NY
10010 United States

Next

Models from Next’s Women’s Division

The Industry Model Management

Models from Industry’s New Gen board, including Modeling Mentor Model of the Year Alexa Kissling

Some of the models on Industry’s Management board

How to be Discovered by: The Industry

infoNY@theindustrymodelmgmt.com
T. 212-660-8800
Pier 59 Studios
59 Chelsea Piers, LEVEL 3
NY, NY 10011

The Lions

Models in the The Lions Women’s Division

About: The Lions

T. 212 226 7360
Email: bediscovered@thelionsny.com
286 5th Avenue, 12th FL
New York, NY 10012

The Society

Models in Society’s Women’s Division

The Society
Submissions: Scouting@thesocietymanagement.com
212 377-5025
156 5th Avenue, 8th Floor
New York, NY 10010

Women Management

Models on the main board at Women Management

Become a Model: Women
T. 212 334 7480
199 Lafayette Street, 7th Floor
New York, NY 10012

ENTER THE MODELING MENTOR MODEL SEARCH AND BE DISCOVERED!

Congrats to this month’s Modeling Mentor Model Search winner: Sam Eigen!

Height: 4’11″    Weight: 74 lbs    Size: 10    

Based in CT

Sam is not only a gorgeous kid, but also has pizzazz and a big personality. Watch for him to take CT and NYC by storm!

Remember, your submissions are still eligible for next month!

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

Announcing April Model of the Month…

Jessica Adams

Congrats, Jessica Adams!

Height: 5’9″    Size 8

Based in Valhalla, NY

Seeking Representation 

What a face! I can see her in French Vogue, can’t you? Looking forward to seeing if Jessica catches the eye of agents!

Agents, e-mail me if you are interested in Jessica!

Remember your submissions are still eligible for future months. It was a tough choice this month with an inbox full of beauties!

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