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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?

This entry was posted on Thursday, January 31st, 2008 at 4:07 pm and is filed under Model City. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.