She may be only 10, but Rachael Markovic is already a top model. And she’s been at it for two years.
Rachael was discovered about 2 1/2 years ago at a modeling showcase in the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood. She was spotted by scout Paul St. John, but it wasn’t an auspicious meeting at first.
Instead of perking up, her mother recounts, Rachael said evenly, “Can’t you see I’m trying to take a nap?”
“She has a lot of self-confidence,” says her mother, Milica Markovic. “I watched her help other casting agents with their auditions. She’ll make sure that they are ready.”
Since then, the Hallandale Beach family has been balancing school with photo shoots. She attended Hollywood Central and now is home-schooled.
In her first 10 months of modeling, she did more than 100 ad campaigns. The fifth-grader has been lensed for Ford, Talbots, Roberto Cavalli, Burger King, American Girl, Kohl’s, Bratz, Wal-Mart, Lord & Taylor, Dream Resorts, Ralph Lauren and J.C. Penney.
Even brother Daniel, 9, a student at Hollywood Central, has gotten into the act with Ramada Inn and Vertbaudet ads.
“I want to be in movies,” Rachael says. “I want to be a top supermodel and in lots of magazines and commercials. I watch [America's NextTop Model] all the time.”
Of course, she and Daniel are still kids. During a recent catalog shoot for H&M stores, they used the breaks to play raucous soccer matches.
Here’s advice for parents of child models from Milica Markovic and industry experts:
Make sure you’re dealing with professional clients, agencies and photographers. “Get referrals from other moms,” she says.
Really commit to taking the children to casting calls. And remain with your child at all times. “I really have not had one bad experience,” she says. “But I am there 100 percent of the time.”
Consider home schooling if your child’s career takes off. But do your research, and really think about whether it is best for your child (as opposed to what is best for a modeling career).
Child models should only work two hours before having a break.
No modeling schools are necessary.
If the agency promises you work, move on. Agencies can’t make promises. They can only send you on auditions. The client makes the hiring decisions.
Be on time. Be ready. Photo and/or video crews are very expensive, so if your child gets sick often and cancels at the last minute, word will get around quickly.
Never pay the agency any fees. You do not need to pay for photographs or classes, or to attend conventions.
source: sun-sentinel.com
January 25th, 2009
A two-time Miss World finalist whose feet and hands were amputated after contracting a drug-resistant infection has died.
Brazilian model Mariana Bridi, 20, died early on Saturday morning from complications related to a generalised infection caused by the bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the Espirito Santo State Health Secretariat said in a statement. The bacteria is known to be resistant to multiple kinds of antibiotics.
Health officials on Friday said Bridi was not breathing on her own and was undergoing hemodialysis at a hospital in the city of Serra.
The beauty had undergone emergency surgery this week after she fell ill with a virus that spread to her blood.
Her devastated boyfriend Thiago Simoes said at the time: ‘We are all absolutely distraught and are just praying now that she can pull through.
‘She fell ill on December 30 and we took her to hospital where she was misdiagnosed with a kidney stone.
‘They gave her some medicine and sent her home. But two days later she started getting worse.
‘We took her back to hospital and they said she had a very serious infection.
‘She got more and more sick, and had no blood circulation to her limbs.
‘First she lost her feet, then on Tuesday she lost both her hands.
‘But she is a very strong person and we just want her to survive.’
Doctors took the heartbreaking decision to amputate her feet when the poison spread to her blood and cut off her circulation.
Then they decided they would have to remove her hands as well.
But after that surgery she suffered an internal haemorrhage and had another emergency operation on Wednesday afternoon.
Miss Bridi was a finalist in the search for Brazil’s Miss World contestant in 2006 and 2007.
In 2007 she flew to China to represent her country in the Miss Bikini international competition.
She won a prize there for the most beautiful body, and came sixth out of 50 candidates.
Henrique Fontes, executive director of Miss World Brazil, said Miss Bridi badly needs a transfusion of the uncommon blood type O negative.
He said: ‘She has always been a great fighter and has a history of perseverance.
‘The first time she took part in a beauty contest, in 2006, she travelled for 20 hours on a bus in very plain clothes, and without any preparation, and she ended up coming fourth. We need her to show that same kind of fight now.
‘In China she took on girls from 50 countries, and came sixth and won the prize for best body.
‘This is a desperately sad story and we are calling on potential donors to come forward and give blood.’
source: dailymail.co.uk
January 25th, 2009
Jamie Hince has reportedly splashed more than 30,000 pounds for graffiti to be sprayed on the walls of girlfriend Kate Moss’ house.
The Kills frontman was said to have gifted a ring to the supermodel for Christmas and had spent thousands on a series of presents for her 35th birthday.
The rocker apparently also paid for another custom-made ring for the occasion, reports the Sun.
And now, it was reported that Jamie had commissioned two works by renowned Parisian artist Andre, aka Monsieur A.
Andre is set to fly to the UK to spray the pieces, one of which would feature the model’s name while the other is to be her abstract portrait. (ANI)
source: entertainmentandshowbiz.com
January 25th, 2009
