I was scouted by a modeling agency at Lollapalooza

It is a fairy tale type of scenario told in tabloids around the globe – the moment when people are ‘discovered’. An actress found during a high school play, a singer who was just playing in a local bar, or even a model who was just walking with her friends in a mall. These stories are told time and time again.

I remember being younger and singing to myself as I walked down the streets of Chicago with my family. I had a big imagination and pictured walking past a talent agent and getting discover for my angelic singing voice, that at that time, I hadn’t realized didn’t actually exist. As I matured and reality set in, I settled into the fact that I was not meant to be in the entertainment industry. So, it came to my shock when I was at Lollapalooza music festival with a group of my closest friends and was stopped by a model scout.

We were rushing through Millennium park to see J-Cole when a man said “excuse me” and tried to catch my attention. I was oblivious to what was happening and turned around away from him. My friends had to get my attention to make me realize someone was trying to talk to me. I finally faced him. He then presented me with a quick description that he was a modeling scout for a modeling agency. He asked if I was ever interested in modeling, and if I wanted his card. I mumbled a quick, indefinite, “sure”, and took it as he walked away and my friends ushered me to continue our rush for the concert.

We were all giggling about it as we jogged, “Ohhhh you’re going to be a model”, “Have you heard of that agency?”, “Oh my gosh, that’s so cool!” I was playing it off like it was nothing, and he probably wasn’t even ‘legit’, just one of those guys you hear about trying to get girls for weird shoots. Secretly though, I was excited and quite flattered. I was googling his name before the concert we were rushing to could even start.

Feeling myself too much after the scout approached me

With my research skills I discovered that this modeling scout was, in fact, ‘legit’. He had been working in the industry for quite a few years and had an obvious, real connection with this agency. So, after debating for a long while and staring at his card for far too long, I sent him an email. He responded saying he wanted me to come into the office, and meet the team. We set up a meeting for a few weeks later. I was told to wear skinny jeans, a black tank top, heels, and a swimsuit to the meeting. I was nervous, excited, and unsure of what to expect.

On the day of the meeting, my parents walked me to the office to ensure it was a safe area (still worried about the legitimacy of it all), and then I went in by myself. I took the elevator up and walked into the very clean, crisp, waiting room of the office. I filled out some forms and waited for the scout to see me. I was trying to sit up extra straight and be extra bubbly. I wanted to make a good impression. When the meeting began, I was told to change into my suit right away, my measurements were then taken, and they took photos of me in my suit.

I have little experience in front of a camera besides high school senior pictures, so I felt a little awkward. I was given direction: chin down, knee bent, hair on one side, then the other. We then repeated this same process with my skinny jeans and black tank top on again. Although, this time they recorded my walk as well. I am not a natural in heels and had to concentrate on staying straight and even. I was then told to go wait out in the reception area again as they had others in the office look at my photos and decide what they thought of my look.

After waiting for about 20-30 minutes I was told I could come back in and was offered a contract. I felt extremely fortunate for being given such an opportunity as a newbie. The process of being scouted and getting a meeting was surprising and a bit of a whirlwind, but low stress despite my lack of knowledge of the industry.

I am not declaring this as the time I was ‘discovered’ but I’m allowing myself to take a leap and watch the journey unfold before me. Hopefully, enriching the dreams of the little girl I once was who was waiting to be seen.