Courtney is a professional model represented by prestigious
Elite Agency in Miami. Her fantastic camera presence landed
her a spot as Elite Miami's first plus-size model and has
spawned a modeling career comprised of fashion and commercial
work on a national level along with runway shows and television
appearences.
PM: How and when did you get started in modeling?
CH: I started a little over a year ago with Wilhelmina
Miami. I never signed anything because somehow it just didn't
click, although they did get me work. Around Christmas time
last year I decided to expand my options and called Elite.
They didn't have a plus division but were looking to start
one. I walked in and felt instantly at home. The next day,
Elite Miami signed the face that launched their plus division.
PM: How did you find pictures to take to your first open
calls/mail-ins?
CH: I sent snap shots out in a mass mailing, Wilhelmina
Miami was the only agency to respond.
PM: What was your first agency visit like?
CH: My first meeting with Wilhelmina was nerve racking.
I was expecting a complete tear down, but it was short and
sweet. The plus booker came in told me to lighten my hair,
gave me the numbers of some photographers he wanted me to
test with, and told me to be ready to go in six weeks when
season started.
PM: From the time you started approaching agencies, how
long did it take you to find representation?
CH: I was lucky on my first go round in the sense that,
not only did I find representation right away I found representation
with one of the most reputable agencies in the world.
PM: What was your very first paying job and how long did
it take you to get it after you found an agency?
CH: My first paying job was for Bealls department store
and I booked it the day after I signed my contract.
PM: How often do you work?
CH: Before 9/11, I was working on average once a week
during season.
PM: Have you worked overseas or abroad?
CH: I haven't been fortunate enough to travel abroad yet,
although there has been some interest from some German clients
so I'm keeping my fingers crossed for this season.
PM: Is being a plus size model as exciting as you thought
it would be?
CH: It didn't really sink in until I went home for Christmas
this year. The newspaper did a story on me and I was recognized
when I went out. That was a bit surreal, I kept thinking "I'm
nobody!!!" but when you come from a small town and everyone
stays there forever, it means something when someone does
leave to follow their dreams. The best part was when a group
of younger girls who were all bigger approached me and told
me that seeing me in a catalogue made them feel beautiful
because their bodies looked like mine. That is exciting, knowing
that in some way you're impacting people's lives in a positive
way.
PM: What has been your most exciting or intimidating experience
as a model?
CH: Not long after I started last season I was at a casting
for a Chilean catalogue. There were about 200 girls there
who were a size 6 and one of me. Thankfully another plus model
arrived and we started talking, she looked familiar but it
didn't click until I looked at her book. I blurted out, "Oh
my God!!! You're Barbara Brickner!!! It's so nice to meet
you, I'm a huge fan!!!" She just laughed and said thank you
and graciously pretended not to notice what a dork I was
:-) The next thing I know I'm surrounded by Liis, Kayla Laurene,
and Ginger... three of the biggest names in the plus world.
Needless to say I managed to get through the rest of the casting
and before I left stumbled through a star struck speech about
how they were such an inspiration to me. That has probably
been my dorkiest and yet the coolest moment as of yet because
that was when it really started to feel real.
PM: What advice would you give to the aspiring/beginning
plus-size model?:
CH: The fashion industry is fiercly competitive where
unobtainable ideals are the standard. So my advice is: 1.
Be honest with yourself and realistic in your goals. 2. Be
prepared to be rejected....A LOT! 3. LISTEN to what other
models, agents, stylists, photgraphers, or any industry professional
has to say. 4. Remember, you agent works for you so don't
let anyone take control of your career away from you.
PM: How has PlusModels influenced your career or helped
you out?
CH: PlusModels was instrumental in starting my career.
This site is where I located the addresses and how to's for
my mass mailing to the agencies. I gained a good deal of invaluable
knowledge from the other models and photgraphers on this site
in regard to handling situations and making decisions because
they'd already "been there" and "done that".
PM: What are your long term goals in the industry?:
CH: I would love to maintain a modeling career for as
long as possible, however my passion is performing and I'm
hoping this will be a means to an end in regard to my acting
career. The contacts and networking modeling affords me are
truly an invaluable resource.
