We Invented Online Portfolios for Models and Actors in 1995 - Enough Dreaming. It's Time to Be a Star!

Selena Gomez is a Disney princess who’s dating no less than pop superstar Justin Bieber, but just like any other ordinary girl in the world, she also freaked out when she met her celebrity crush.

Shia LaBoeuf (yes Shia LaBoeuf) surprised the 18-year-old actress and singer during a supposed random backstage TV show encounter. When the teen star realized who he was, she flustered and hightailed back down the hall. The Transformers star was gentleman enough to go after Selena, give her a hug and some compliments, and a photo opp – just like any normal celebrity-meets-fan encounter.

When Shia LaBoeuf went back to his dressing room, Selena has managed to calm down. She geeked out, gushed, and laughed with her handlers:

“Oh my gosh, he’s so handsome! I’m so embarrassed! …You guys suck, you used my fans as bait! …Now he thinks I’m crazy – tell him I’m sorry.”

Isn’t it cute for a teen superstar with a Justin Bieber boyfriend to get seriously starstruck by another actor? Selena, you are so cute and normal.

Mommy must have scolded this adorable model before he walked in the Smalto show during Paris Men’s Fashion Week.

The funny thing was that, despite the crying, he still looked adorable in his black suit and uncombed hair. In fact, his crying has made the scene even cuter.

This should be a light-hearted take on the pressures of the industry, especially on child models. Hopefully no one’s going to poke child labor issues here.

Tom Ford thinks some people are using (mostly adoptive) children for publicity.

The openly gay fashion designer and film director has expressed his consternation over how children are utilized to grab media attention. If he would have children, he will protect them from the paparazzis and would not allow them to go public until they turn 18.

“If I have children, no one will know about it until the child is born. And no one will ever see the child because I certainly wouldn’t use it as a press tool. If I have a child, you’ll see and notice that I had a child. Maybe you’ll see it when it’s 18, but I will keep it out of the spotlight. I wouldn’t use it as a press tool, as some people I know, have, recently.”

Sounds reasonable. Tom Ford is rich. He would not need to make money out his children by having them appear on the spotlight.

But what if the children personally wants to be on spotlight? What if they love cameras and the “glitz and glamour” of the industry? Will Tom Ford support them or will he cover them with colored scarves when out in public just like Michael Jackson’s children?

Good thing Tom Ford and his partner Richard Buckley do not have to face this dilemma. The couple only has two smooth fox terriers, that Tom Ford has allowed to appear on his Oscar-nominated movie “A Single Man”.

Tom Ford

Read more about Tom Ford on Urbanette Magazine:
The Men Who Dress Us

Has anyone ever heard of the new app on iPhone that allows model wannabees to instantly submit photos to an agency?

The revolutionary innovation is introduced by Factor Models, the modeling agency that is based in Chicago and Atlanta (that used to represent Cindy Crawford and Liya Kebede, among many other top models).

“Literally anyone with access to an iPhone or iPad can apply. You download the app for free, fill out a few questions, and either snap a photo of yourself or upload one from your phone’s gallery. You press send and voila! If we’re interested we will be in touch in a matter of days,” says Kasia Koniar, head of marketing for Factor Women.

As expected, Factor Women has been flooded with photo submissions. The question now is: Has the agency scouted any promising model via the iPhone yet?

“It is too early to say at this point. We are going through all of the submissions and contacting some of the very promising participants. Submissions are coming from all over the world,” says Koniar.

Tough indeed. But bravo to Factor Models for introducing the first-ever modeling app for iPhone. Download the app now and take a shot!

Factor Models iPhone

For those who prefer online submission, apply here:
Factor Women Seeks Models 13+

Who would want to see the same girl every time? No one.

Enter Kelly Mittendorf and Ondria Hardin – two unknown teen models for Prada’s new ad campaign. They pose for Steven Meisel, alongside top model Frida Gustavsson.

The Prada Fall 2011 Collection campaign, they say, is boring. But lookie at 17-year old, 5′9″ Kelly Mittendorf. She has such a striking feline look, right? That uniqueness (now capitalized upon by Prada) will hopefully get her far.

Here’s more proof of her peculiarity:

Kelly Mittendorf is represented by The Agency Arizona, which is always looking for new faces for representation.

To apply, click here:
Agency Arizona Seeks New Faces

What is the secret to a great audition?

According to Bernard Telsey, Casting Director behind the leading casting firm Telsey & Company, a great audition is when an actor comes in prepared and delivers an emotional performance from a demanding material.

“When somebody comes in and surprises you and takes you to an emotional place that the material is demanding but you wouldn’t have thought of. What that involves: completely prepared, making performance choices. It makes you want to be in a room with them longer.”

What is the secret to a great preparation for audition?

According to Daniel Swee, Casting Director from Lincoln Center Theater, it is the mastery of the script.

“The key to preparing is spending time with a text, figuring out who this character is to you. For Seth Numrich in ‘War Horse’ he gave a lesson in brilliant auditioning. He was completely prepared with the text. He had developed a great British accent already. He was completely present, which meant that he was able to listen carefully to the other actors, to take direction. You can see so easily when an actor is not listening.”

What is the secret to making a great impression?

According to Jim Carnahan, the Casting Director for Rounabout Theatre Company shows, actors make great impression by being natural.

“One of the biggest traps that actors fall into is trying to be what we want them to be, and that’s not what we’re looking for. It’s like a blind date. You’re better off just being yourself. And on the other side, with directors, it’s getting some of them to spend more time getting to know actors.”

So there. To win a role during auditions, actors must be prepared to deliver a great performance while trying not to be somebody else. The casting process is the most critical part in creating a Broadway production. This is why Casting Directors rely on a good cast, just as the production rely on good material and star power (for lead role).

audition tips

For more insider tips and advice from industry professionals, read here:
New Faces® Modeling & Acting Advice

Wit is an essential trait of every successful beauty queen, aside from beauty and confidence.

Today, wit is expected to be demonstrated in tackling social issues. And pageant contestants are reported to be “intimidated” not by answering questions in only their bikinis and stilettos, but by taking a stand on polarizing questions.

“Polarizing questions often create a situation where you suffer… if you agree, and if you do not. The girls need to answer in a way that brings them to a common ground,” says pageant pro Keith Lewis.

Former Miss California Carrie Prejean has been hot in the running for Miss USA until judge Perez Hilton asked her stance on gay marriage. Not only was her “no to gay marriage” conviction created an outrage among gays and supporters of the campaign, it has also cost her the Miss California crown.

Do you think beauty queens should answer social issues with polarizing questions, like politicians running for office?

The bag is no longer in production. But girl’s still got it.

Angelina Jolie posed in her famous pout for Louis Vuitton’s “Core Values” campaign. Photographed by Annie Leibovitz, the screen goddess looked pensive as she reclined barefoot on a wooden boat. The background showed a dreamy lakeside landscape that breathed “Cambodia” – the place that sparked the actress’ humanitarian activism.

Posing in her oldest son’s birth country, Angelina Jolie was said to be wearing her own clothes and toting her own weathered monogrammed Alto bag (of about 6 years). The press said she was wearing no makeup, but the smoky eyes looked unnatural. Nevertheless, Louis Vuitton took pride in the image because it definitely captured the “Core Values” theme, which is about personal journey.

“People are not used to seeing Angelina in this situation. I like the fact that it’s a real moment. This travel message we give through personal journeys is a fundamental one for the brand… This campaign is about a very special person and a very special journey,” said Pietro Beccari, LV’s executive vice president.

Although the Alto bag is no longer sold in stores, Louis Vuitton is now considering to re-edit the style. With Angelina Jolie’s modeling prowess and marketability, they should. It will not take long before people are transfixed into it.

Angelina Jolie

Read Here:
Angelina Jolie The Woman Behind the Myth

When you’re an actor (and at the top of your game), you have to sacrifice other important things to focus on acting and making money. This is what Harry Potter superstar Emma Watson realized, 18 months after struggling to study in Brown University as a “normal” student.

She was able to fight for her education despite her scheduling conflict with Warner Bros. (She told the company she would not renew her contract for the final two Harry Potter films unless they agreed to work with her schedule.) But life for her has never been easy ever since. Just like college students, she would go to school in flip-flops or rubber shoes and stay until morning to finish her papers. But unlike most college students, she still had to shoot scenes or attend movie parties then return for school tired and jet-lagged just before the finals.

“I have felt for the last 10 years I have had this battle; I’ve been fighting so hard to have an education. It’s been this uphill struggle. I was Warner Bros.’ pain in the butt. I was their scheduling conflict. I was the one who made life difficult.

“I just realized at one point that I can’t fight everything. I have to move in the direction of it – and go with it.”

Emma Watson has made the sacrifice last March: left Brown University. After almost two years of juggling studying and making films, she deferred her course for “a semester or two”.

To focus on acting or to get an education? It isn’t a really hard choice. Prioritize your acting career when you are still in-demand. In top movie industries like Hollywood, there is a fast turnover of young stars. Fame is fleeting -  the moment the limelight has shifted away from you, it may never come back again. So strike while the iron is hot. Get back to studying when your popularity has subside. What’s good about education is that is does not really have an age limit. For as long as you are still in your best mental faculty, you will be able to catch up.

Well, I’m talking about Emma Watson and the rest of the young actors who are REALLY at the top of their game. If you are still a struggling artist who’s unfortunately unknown to many, there is no reason to stop schooling unless you’re low on money.

If you want to learn more about the acting or modeling industry, spending about six months or a year as an intern also helps.

Internships are usually offered for college-aged people. The works are often administrative in nature, which unfortunately include answering to telephone inquiries, filing papers, photocopying and fetching coffee.The work is usually unpaid. The interns are often compensated with class credits (if they are students) and or the priceless “real world experience”.

Castings and publishing companies are often the most active in seeking young interns every summer.

Teen Vogue, for one, is targeted by upcoming actors and models who want to work as interns. Thus, its competition for internship is very tough, with successful applicants often represented by publicists and industry professionals who are also working for the magazine company. Twenty-one years old Shenae Grimes from 90210 is one of the most recent talent to spend a six-week unpaid internship at Teen Vogue. Her work include lots of closet work (pulling clothes for shoots) as well as blogging for its website. A lover of fashion, the young actress has also spent internship at Fashion Television Canada, way before her 90210 gig.

To get internship opportunities, make a list of the companies you want to work in. See if you have a friend or acquaintance who can refer you. You can also ask help from your school. Industry professionals often recruit interns from their alma mater.

If you are lucky enough to be invited for the interview, do your research to demonstrate your passion and knowledge of the industry and the nature of the position that you are applying for. Inquire also about your specific functions for this will show your enthusiasm for the job. And do not forget to dress properly but according to your personal style.

Good Luck!