Alex Hall didn’t have to dress up as a nursery rhyme character and hurl herself into the air while being photographed to prove she’s capable of strutting the runways as a top international model.
Nor did she need to walk the catwalk with hissing cockroaches tied to her outfit, as contestants in America’s Next Top Model had to do in a recent episode.
But if she was part of the gossipy, backbiting cast of waifs inhabiting the latest reality TV show hosted by supermodel Tyra Banks, just don’t let there be any rats.
“I’d do anything as long as it doesn’t involve a rat,” smiles Alex, 15, recently named 2006 Model of the Year by Model & Talent Search Canada at the Sheraton Wall Centre in Vancouver. MTSC, the biggest and most prestigious model recruitment company in Canada, claims the company’s website, hosts model searches in Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary, and Halifax every year.
Last month about 50 teens from across B.C. assembled in Vancouver hoping to catch the eye of some of the world’s top modelling agencies present at the event.
To her surprise, Hall came first in the swimwear part of the competition and second in the runway segment, making her the overall winner.
“I just wanted to go for the experience and see how it would be because it sounded exciting,” said Alex, who attends high school in Nanaimo, and whose family has roots in Ladysmith.
“I thought from seeing there were so many good models there I wouldn’t get anything, but they ended up picking me, which is really surprising.”
Judges liked Hall’s natural beauty and exotic features, especially her dark hair and blue eyes, said her mom, Janis Libby, as well as her height. At a willowy 5’9”, Alex is the perfect height for a runway model, Janis said.
Alex said she’s always aspired to a career in modelling. Her room is wallpapered with photos of top models, and her devotion to America’s Next Top Model borders on obsession.
But Alex said she’s keeping low key on being chosen by MTSC and has only told a few people. “I don’t want to brag or say a lot but the people that do know are happy and excited for me,” she said.
Janis said her role is to keep Alex’s feet on the ground and not let her obsess about her weight or her looks, something Alex said won’t be a problem. “I love to eat,” she laughed.
The mother and daughter spent last week selecting a modelling agency for Alex, eventually picking Vancouver-based Lizbell after meeting with several agencies, including a representative from Trump Model Management, the modelling agency hired by the billionaire business icon.
Alex will spend the next few months building up a portfolio of photographs, and then hopes to start landing contracts with clothing companies and magazines.
She said her ultimate goal is to work in New York while attending university there.
“It’s like the main place where everyone goes. Modelling is definitely something I want to do as a career.”

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