Irina Proskurina moved to the United States when she was very young, became a model and conquered the catwalks of New York. Persistence and perseverance helped her not to surrender in the ocean of show business sharks. "Lenta.ru" publishes her story as part of a series of materials about compatriots abroad.
I have a far from magical story when I was noticed and immediately taken to Paris. I had to achieve everything with hard work. I am from a simple family that did not have extra money. Since childhood, I have worked to improve my financial situation: I sold cosmetics at school, worked part-time at a factory in the summer, and even traded kvass.
When I was in my first year at the Faculty of Journalism in Stavropol, I was offered a promotional job. I readily agreed. My task was to present a construction company to the public. Others noticed that only girls of model appearance are hired for such work.
Since then I have started to participate in various extras and promotions. Two years later, when I turned 19, I flew to the USA to become a model.
New York
The main difficulty for immigrant models in the United States is the visa. It is not easy to obtain an O1 visa, which gives the right to work. There are a number of criteria - magazine covers, for example, and many girls don't. How to work without a work visa? On the tourist one it is impossible - this is a violation of the law. Another problem is the language barrier. Even if the girl is very beautiful, charisma and excellent knowledge of the English language are needed.
When I arrived, I started out as a freelancer. I worked and went to the shooting at the same time. I had to pay the expenses myself. Housing alone in New York is worth a lot! It's good if you live in a model apartment - they are free. But if you rent, then even for a simple room you have to pay from 800 to 1000 dollars a month. Added to this are food and travel expenses. I would like to buy a skirt in general, there are many temptations in New York.
Lenta. Ru
I always advise beginner models: save money. But they don't listen and then they fly away. But if you wish, all difficulties can be overcome. For those who decide to stay, there are many ways to legalize. They learn the language and earn money. Cope, as in all megacities.
I worked as a nanny, in an office at the reception, as a hostess in a restaurant. When I made my first portfolio, I went to the agencies to propose my candidacy. Unfortunately, no one wanted to take me. I went around many agencies and was already desperate, but then I decided to ask one of the agents: "What's wrong?" And he answered me: “Your photos are bad. There is no style, you dress differently from the models. " In short, it was not like that.
Agency
To succeed, you must never give up. Only forward! Even if they refuse or say that they are incapable. Don't listen to them and make your way. You need to take care of yourself. Start dating. Go to auditions all the time. Trying to get into a large agency, their clients, respectively, are "large".
Having learned the reason for my failures, I began to correct the style. I studied magazines, went shopping, watched shows about models. And finally, I was accepted into a small agency. By the way, it no longer exists.
An agent is necessary even for novice models. He looks for work for you and for you and takes 20 percent of his income for it. On the covers of American fashion and beauty magazines, as a rule, they also get through the agency. They send it to the casting, and there the client decides. But sometimes you can do it through a photographer or editor, so you need to be on good terms with everyone.
True, if you have an exclusive contract, then you simply cannot work with other clients bypassing the agent. If not exclusive, then you can cooperate with other agencies or earn extra money as a freelance. In addition, a freelancer chooses a job for himself and decides whether to agree or not. And if through an agent, then be kind - go to work. If you do not come or are very late, then you are not a professional.
Working as a model in America can be rich and famous, but it takes persistence. As, however, in other countries of the world. There are simply more opportunities in America. Supermodels are on the Forbes lists - and this, you know, is a good motivation.
Model business
I had many shows, but most of all I remember the show, which was organized to raise money for the purchase and training of Labradors for the blind. Such a dog can cost four to five thousand dollars, which not every blind person with disabilities can afford. The models weren't paid, but I was happy to participate in this show for free.
When I started, I didn't dream of fame. And that was a mistake. Ambition in this career is essential. But I tried very hard. I always wanted my parents to be proud of me and wanted to help them. I am such a person that if I take on something, I bring it to the end. I believe that having reached one peak, you need to conquer the next. This is the key to success.
There are many beautiful models, but character is more important. For example, Natalia Vodianova is a purposeful business woman. But I especially liked Tyra Banks - one of the first black models. I always read, watch her interviews and admire how strong and charismatic she is, how she knows how to take a punch. She's also the founder of America's Next Top Model, which I really wanted to get into.
Lenta. Ru
There are designers or fashion houses that I would like to collaborate with. Let's say Donatella Versace would be interesting to talk to and work in a team. She is a living legend, the original source, the founder of the fashion world. Many fashion houses were established a long time ago and already have hired designers.
When it became fashionable to be a model, children of rich parents rushed into this business. Look at Bella and Gigi Hadid. They made their way not because of their appearance, which is not a model for them, but thanks to the connections of their parents. Some Victoria's Secret models changed their appearance through plastic surgery - this, I think, is also not very honest. All in all, Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford and Claudia Schiffer are gone. Times have changed.
Family
A mutual friend introduced me to my future husband. It's a funny story: it turned out that we lived in the same house, but never met. Our house consisted of the south and north towers. So, we also lived in the same tower: I am on the 34th floor, and he is on the 37th.
At first we were just friends, then we created a common project, worked together. So we fell in love. We are alike: both business people, we love to travel - this is how the stars converged. He really wanted children, and I am grateful to him for taking the initiative. It is difficult to decide to have a baby in Manhattan.
In America, they start a family late (and rightly so). It is completely normal here to become a mother at the age of 38-40. Models by this age, as a rule, have either finished their careers, or regular clients appear who love you and invite you from year to year (without casting, of course).
Lenta. Ru
Combining work and family is difficult, but possible. Everything is the same as with other working moms, only you still need to look cool. We have to keep up with everything, raise children and take care of themselves, play sports, go to auditions.
Book
Now I try to help beginners who want to break into the modeling business. I know the hard way how difficult it is. There is a lot of deception in this business. In Los Angeles, every second “producer”, in New York, every second “most famous photographer”. You have to be very careful, especially for young girls.
I wrote a book called “How to Become a Model in the USA”. It is addressed to both girls and guys, everyone who wants to become a model or actor in the States, regardless of age and appearance. There are more than 30 different types of modeling: fashion, advertising, plus-size, hair models, age models, children There is something for everyone.
The book contains a lot of useful information. About work visas, vouchers, contracts, portfolios, there is a list of agencies and much more. Honestly, if I had been given such a book upon arrival in the United States, I would have saved myself several years of my life.
For me, the priority is to be useful to people. Be a worthy mother to your daughters. A worthy daughter to her parents. I sincerely believe that the main thing is not money or fame, but finding your destiny. I really hope that people will like my book, and the information in it will help and be useful to many.
