Okay, so I didn't make it. DAMMIT!!!

The BBQ Pit
1

Greetings, from the world’s biggest chump. I did something so stupid, I have to share. See, I entered this contest. A model search. Let me say, I do not think I am some sort of goddess, looks-wise. But, people have always complimented my skin and hair and eyes, even total strangers, so, I thought, what the heck? I’ve seen some of their models, and frankly, I do believe I can look better than they do. The grand prizes were thousands-of-dollars modeling contracts, and since my current career is what you might politely call “stalled”…

Sheez, I am such a jerk. The search was for “plus-size” models. Their idea of plus size starts at a size ten and goes up. I’m not even going to get started on how stupid it is to call a size ten plus. I’m not a rail but I don’t cause cracks in the sidewalk, either. Anyway, I entered. Twice. They said you could send as many as you like. Photos and entry forms, that is. One of each per envelope. My photos were good. Did I mention their was a $20 processing fee for each entry? Yeh, I ate that freakin’ $40. I should have done something more productive with it, like flushing it down the toilet, or, just putting it directly up my ass.

Anyway, the time drew near. And then it was time. They were to let the 30 finalists and five alternates know by mail and by phone. I did not make it. I did not make it. I did not. I DID not. Fuck. It’s not too good for the self-esteem, that.

So, I’m an idiot, and not a model-looking idiot either, apparently. The one bright spot is that I had the sense not to tell anyone that I was entering. The only thing worse than actually losing is having people ask you questions and you have to tell them you lost. Ugh. So, I’m spared that, at least.

And, I really, REALLY wish I had my two photos and $40 back. My two photos, which now grace the inside of the old circular file, ready to move on to a landfill in New York or wherever. I can’t believe I was such a chump.
:smack:

Dammit.
:mad:

2

It would have been the $20 processing fee that raised my Scam-Detecting Eyebrow…I’ve never entered a modeling contest, but I have entered other contests…none of them required any money to enter. I don’t even think that’s legal, is it? IANAL, but I thought the whole legality of contests centered around the “no purchase necessary.” And the legalese on modeling contests I’ve seen in mags usually says, very specifically, “one entry per person.” The only reason these people would want more than one entry on the same person is if they wanted as much of your money as possible.

This “processing fee” sounds like a bullshit way of getting around that clause. Unless a “model search” doesn’t qualify as a “contest.” (More bullshit, IMHO.)

If I were you, PinkBikini, I’d find out how to get a list of their winners, as is required by law in all contests, and see if they’re bogus or not…

Or I’d just chalk it up to Learning Experience and move on. :smiley:

3

Actually, it is legit. It was sponsored by a nationally-published magazine and an actual modeling agency. Last year’s finalists were featured in the magazine. Believe me, I checked it out before I shelled out the bucks.

And there are some contests that do require a fee to enter. I’ve encountered several before, but have never entered one before. I’m not in a hurry to do it again!

I’m trying to move on, but I think I got stuck in a vent along the way.

4

I don’t see anything here to feel stupid about. You gave it a shot; you didn’t win; but who knows how close you came?

Personally, I’m feeling stupid about something I didn’t enter. I had maybe a one percent chance of getting it, so I avoided being rejected by not even trying. And now I’ll never know if I would have made it.

I think it’s admirable to try for things. Most people get rejected a few times along the way before they get their break.

5

I wouldn’t feel stupid if I were you; I’m with Alto- I think it’s great that you tried. Looking back, there’s a lot of stuff like that that I didn’t do that now I really wish I had at least attempted.

Also, put me in the pool of people who can’t figure out when the hell a size 10 became a ‘plus’ size. WTF??? Isn’t an 8 average in the US?

6

Aw, c’mon, PinkBikini. Thousands of people probably entered and only 30 were picked. This doesn’t mean that you’re not model looking. Do not be discouraged by this.

Haj

7

This is the last time I judge a beauty contest when I’m stoned on tequila.

Sorry, PinkBikini.

Who’s got an aspirin?

8

Hey, nothing ventured, nothing gained. Don’t give up on this or feel bad for trying. I admire that you entered at all and I hope you do it again!

9

Not that it matters, but I heard Oprah say not too long ago that the average US size is now 12.

10

“Professional judges” are rarely wise to what is good. Take for example the Oscars. What the hell do they know about taste in films, passing up Lord of the Rings (fucktards). I believe you should let us see your photos just so we can all fawn and go all a goo-goo over you.

11

The average woman in America, according to an article I read (sorry, no cite!) is 5 foot 4 and weighs 144 pounds. I remember this basically because I was struck by how short this is.

I don’t know what size a woman that height/weight would wear, but a 12 sounds about right.

This goofy “plus size ten” is ridiculous. I’m five foot ten, and a size ten is my ideal size. (There have never been many size eights I can fit into. I have what I call “child-bearing hips.”) I find it insulting that unless a woman is a size four/six, she’s considered “oversized.” I don’t even know any girls who are “the ideal size,” unless you count adolescents. :smiley:

Sorry about the hijack…I just think a “plus size ten” is ridiculous.

12

How do American and British sizes compare? I’m a British size eight… I have a feeling I’m an American “plus-size.”

Hang on, though…

I don’t care.

13

According to [url=“http://www.megaconverter.com/mega2/”]this site[/url, British size 8 is American size 6. Which is quite slender.

14

I’m almost exactly the size of that “average woman,” and I’m generally a size eight or maybe a ten.

15

Don’t sweat it, PB. You do know that many of the biggest stars around, actors, models, writers, what have you, endured failure after failure before their big breaks. If they gave up after the first one or two, or ten, we’d never have heard of them. Just keep doing your thing, and don’t let it get you down.

16

More advice, PinkBikini, not as a model, but as a writer. I have a folder with over 30 rejection letters. Yes, that’s right, 30. And you know what I did when I got each and every one of them? I read them and went back to writing. And what has it netted me? Three finished but unpublished novels, frequent game reviews, articles in magazines, and a chance to publish a piece of fiction in the roleplaying industry. Each book is better than the previous, and I find it easier to get each article published now. I will get a book published. And another and another.

None of that would’ve happened if I gave up.

I know little of the modeling world, but it’s my understanding that it’s very, very cruel. It tries your self-esteem to the max, but if you really have what it takes, you will make it. Perseverance is your friend.

Good luck if this is what you really want to do. And congratulations for entering and giving it a shot.