Model Makeovers: Reality or Myth?

Most people enjoy ANTM for many reasons. The makeovers are definitely one of them. In the attempt to make the girls more “modelish,” Tyra spends time and money into giving each contestant a complete makeover. The focus is mostly on the hair. This occurrence has caused me to receive questions from aspiring models as to whether they will have to undergo a similar transformation when they get signed.

America’s Next Top Model does a lot of great stuff for TV but it doesn’t go much further than that. The extent of the makeovers seen on that show—and others like it—are over the top for a reason—it’s TV and it needs to greatly exaggerate things in order to prove a point. However, in real life, such makeovers aren’t that involved. So do model makeovers exist in the “real” world? Sure. Do they happen to all new models and to that extreme? Not really.

Agencies fall in love with girls (and guys) the way they are and almost always sign them without doing a thing to their appearance (we’re not talking about weight). In the fashion world, I’m sure there are agencies that may give their new models a different haircut or style. If the hair is too short, oftentimes the agency will have extensions added for a new look. But that’s about as far as it goes, give or take adding highlights or some other hair color.

Another thing you have to remember is that a model has to appeal to the potential clients from all backgrounds. Most agencies won’t do an extreme makeover on its models because it could possibly limit their look. This means she/he can’t be sent out for as much work.

Commercial/print agencies tend to not touch their models' appearances. Because the emphasis is about being more “real” and relatable to the audience, such makeovers typically aren’t necessary for this field of modeling.

If you’re worried about getting your hair whacked off or having a huge head of uncomfortable extensions, just know that the odds of that happening to you are slim. Even in fashion. Any changes that are made will be minimal at best so don’t fret about signing with an agency and emerging as a person you no longer recognize in the mirror. If the agency is happy with you as you are, you’ll have nothing to worry about.