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Sandra Omo finds bare is beautiful when it comes to castings

Recently I attended a casting call for a modelling competition. I had looked forward to this casting for a while, so I just wanted to do my best and, of course, get to be one of the short listed contestants. My dream does not end here – I also want to win. When I arrived at the casting venue there were already over a hundred hopefuls there. As more girls began to arrive, I looked around me and noticed the heavy make-up almost everyone was wearing. As if the heavy scary make up was not enough, you also needed to see the way most of the girls dressed. Mama Mia! (now I mean this literally), it was like an audition for Moulin Rouge. I kept looking around me, in the hope of finding some normality, in order to assure myself that I was not at the wrong casting, and that I had not read the casting call wrongly.

Well fortunately, or should I say unfortunately, I was at the right audition and the audition ‘proper’ soon began as the organisers welcomed everyone, introduced themselves, and made a few jokes. We all had a bit of a laugh but it was not going to be laughter all through as they soon announced that anyone below 5’7 should please leave as they will not be taking their applications any further. As about 30 girls filed out of the room, I wondered why they came in the first place? I mean it was clearly stated in the casting call that you had to be above 5’7 to attend but then I remembered that I, on a couple of occasions, have ignored such rules and still got into the competitions. So I guess they too were just taking the necessary risk that every model must learn to take occasionally.

“The occasion was not a drag queen night”

As the room settled down again, the organisers then began to talk about the make-up. They said the make-up most of the girls were wearing was scary and that the occasion was not a drag queen night, and that auditions are held so that casting directors can see the real you and your talent not your make-up abilities. As a result, they have provided facial wipes for everyone to take off their make-up as everyone will be auditioning without make-up. Boy, did they read my mind or something? This was exactly what I thought and I have never been this accurate.

As used facial wipes began to pile up on the floor, it occurred to the organisers that the wipes would not be enough so they sent for more. As the majority of the girls waited for more facial wipes, the organisers began to see the few who were without make-up. This pushed me to number 19 in the queue as I had only a lipgloss and mascara to wipe off so that didn’t consume more than half a wipe. The truth remains that there were some girls that wore no make–up whatsoever to the audition. Therefore, I did not understand why others had to wear too much. Moreover – believe me – most of them even looked better after removing their make-up.

Well I was glad because I finished early and was able to attend another casting that same day. The lesson is simple: girls please do not pancake your faces when attending auditions. Try to be as natural as you can, as this will show that you are confident. Any other thing, is putting too much icing on the cake, and you know what they say about too much sugar? It is the same with too much make-up.

Sandra Omo walks tall and holds her head high to seal the deal

Four days ago I received a casting call from a modelling agency: “Models needed for a three-day fashion campaign; experienced, with a good catwalk, size 8 or 10, available for all three days, confident, elegant and at least 5’10”; the last bit is what got my attention – I mean my angered attention. Before the last requirement, I was very excited reading this casting call because it described me completely, but with it I could only pause and say what the hell? But being the kind of person I am, I was not going to stop at that.

“There are many models out there who have made it, even though they are below the required height”

Although I was not supposed to reply to the casting call because I am 5’9, not 5’10, as the casting required, I sent this exact message back to the agency: “Hi, I have just received your casting call and I must say that I fit all the requirements…and I am extremely confident, with a great catwalk (I listed some big shows I have done – this definitely got their attention) but, oops, I am 5’9 not 5’10, I guess you lose then?”

The next day I received a reply from the agency that read: “Hi Omo, I have received your reply and have forwarded your profile to the client. Please know that the final decision is theirs as they asked for those qualities.” In the first place, I was satisfied that my stubbornness got their attention, but I had to wait a couple of days to get a reply. I was irritated as I waited. Where did people or organisers get the notion that one has to be a particular height in order to be a good model? I, and I believe you have too, have seen very tall models that just aren’t great on the catwalk. I have also seen models below 5’7 walk like goddesses.

So why the height limitation? It is true that one has to be tall to be a model, but the required height is 5’7. If you reach 5’8 that is already past the bargain and you are fit and qualified, by height at least, to be a model. At above 5’8 you are already, at least, two inches taller than Kate Moss and just about the same height as Naomi Campbell! So I ask again, why the bizarre height restrictions? There are many models that have made it, even though they are below the required height – because of their strong features and uniqueness; while there are many six-footers out there who have not had a job for ages. What I am trying to say here is that modelling is not limited to height, as there is much more to it. It is about presence and standing out. These two qualities are the only things that may give you success in modelling. Every other thing is just the norm and there is no big deal.

So if someone tries to place a limitation on you, because of one thing or the other, do not accept it. I am not saying be arrogant or refuse to be corrected, rather to not be intimidated. The person might have a point but not a fact, and points can always be worked on. We all have something that works for us, whether it be height, weight, agency name, beauty or no beauty, size, attitude, etc – use it. In this particular case, my determination to not be intimidated by any restriction worked for me as I got booked for the job by the client and have even been booked for another job by the same client. How about that?

Sandra Omo talks size and the beauty of being yourself

Models with curves, they say, are very rare these days. It is not true at all. There might be many skinny models out there, but there are also many models that are not skinny. It is pathetic to see young girls starving themselves because they want to be models.

I am not here to discuss the size zero debate, it is such a cliché and one that I am not interested in at all. I am here to make it clear to anyone who has fallen into the wrong track of thinking that to be sexy or a model you have to be skinny. You are so wrong. As a matter of fact, there has never been a time when modelling has been associated with thinness. It’s true that one needs to be in good shape to be a model, but good shape does not in any way involve being skinny – there are plus size models out there. However, I am not here today to talk about plus size models, it is young models and those who want to be catwalk models that I am talking about here.

“I know Brits love their Kate Moss, but if you are trying to make it by pulling a Kate Moss, think twice, because there already is one”

There is no such thing as a model ‘look’. Kate Moss, for example, didn’t change the way she looked to be a model – she was born that way. In fact, there was nothing special about her looks until she became famous. It is not the look; it is the success. Do you think that Kate Moss would be referred to as sexy if she were not a supermodel? Different folks, different cups of tea. My point here is not to say who is sexy or not, but to show you that being sexy is about being yourself. So, also, is being a success.

There are no two models in the world that look exactly the same. There are often many similarities in models, as we are all vying for the same jobs and there are certain qualities one should have in order to be to a model. But to be a success there must be some thing that goes beyond the general rule – something that sets you apart from others. So why try to make it by looking like someone else? I mean, who needs a fake when there is an original? I know Brits love their Kate Moss, but if you are trying to make it by pulling a Kate Moss, think twice, because there already is one.

Back to the issue of size. How boring and unreal the modelling industry would be if all models were all the same size. There would be no 7up factor, and uniqueness is a necessary tool for success, as well as sexiness. Don’t ever get this wrong; human beings are not animals, we have taste, and we differ in shape and size. I have yet to see a designer who designs clothes for only one size, or a catwalk show with models of one size only.

The modelling industry needs variety and that is where we all come in. I am proud to be a curvy size eight, and I realise I love it, because this is me. I am confident like this and would not change for anything; because I know that makes my looks, my looks don’t make me.

So being sexy, I say again, is being yourself. Try originality and I promise you will love it.

Sandra Omo starts 2008 with a bang, landing two great jobs in one week

There is no better way to begin a new year than to get your first job of the year, in the very first week of the year. I did it and I am full of joy!

Two major assignments kick-started my 2008. First off, I was doing a bit of extras work. Not any old extras, but a gold-starred Bond movie extra… The Bond team are currently filming in London and my entire memory of the day will be little more than near enough freezing to death. I’m no actor, but I figured it would be fun to point at the TV and say, “Look, that’s me” – when the movie is finally out.

A few days later I was working on the one assignment that had me crossing every finger for two weeks in the hope they would pick me. Levi Strauss did. So the drama when I went for the casting in Birmingham, and nearly missed my bus, was all worth while.

It feels so good to finally get this job after all the hassle. I guess this is the reason behind my joy, apart from the fulfilment the job brings, and good pay. And yes, I had to travel to Northampton, without sleep (again), for the shoot – but it’s worth it. Worth it because when you work really hard for something and you achieve it, then you are left with a proud smile on your face weeks after its completion – because you know the kind of hard work you put in to get it.

“It feels so good to finally get this job ”

I can’t imagine what kind of industry modelling would be if there was a guarantee that models will get every job. It would be good for those that work hard, as you would get back what you put in every time.

But it is not so, and has never been this way, thus my excitement at landing the Levi job.

Starting the year on a successful and busy note is good for my confidence and confidence makes a good, even great model. So without having to audition, I have completed two amazing assignments already in 2008. It’s a superb way to start the year, because if it is true that the more work you get, then the more work you will get; then I have a strong feeling I am going to be working very much this year. Oh what a beautiful year is coming up over the horizon!