Quillan Casem

Camera flashes and bright lights aren’t new sensations for senior Quillan Casem. Casem’s modeling career started in 6th grade with an appearance in an Old Navy catalog. Soon after, the catalog was followed by another assignment for Athleta Girl. Recently, Casem has been working with Pottery Barn as well as other brands.  Casem got into modeling through dancing and competitive dance.

“[I was] three years old when I started regular dance classes and six [when] I started competitive dance,” Casem said. 

After joining the competitive dance world,  Casem said she was surrounded by many opportunities. After auditioning for a professional agency, she ultimately decided to join Sabrina Bohan from Star Management agency in San Francisco. At first, Casem got an agent to gain greater exposure with her dancing. As time went on, and her mindset shifted, she expanded into catalog modeling and shooting for campaigns.

She explained that if one wants to be a model, they must be willing to feel uncomfortable while not letting it affect their work. 

“It’s really important that you are able to go into a certain position or pose even if it feels a little bit weird,” Casem said.

Although she said she has learned and loved various things during her modeling career, her favorite part of the job is the people. 

“I think it is really cool to be able to make such great connections with these people who have so much work experience and could possibly help me in the future, ” Casem said. 

Another one of Casem’s favorite parts of modeling is wearing clothes that are brand new to the world. She said it’s fun to secretly know the product when no one else knows about it.

“I want to be able to make a contribution to certain brands and know that I am helping out in some sort of way to sell a product or engage audiences,” Casem said. “You’re able to be a part of something that is so much bigger.” 

Saumya Anand

Singing, dancing, acting, modeling. MVHS junior Saumya Anand auditioned for an agency this past fall, in hopes of getting a job that would work with her extremely packed schedule. 

Unlike her friends who work in restaurants, retail, or babysits, Anand explained that her schedule is too busy to get one of those jobs.

“I feel like working as a teenager is a great life experience and I wanted to be able to do something outside of my extracurriculars, [modeling] was something that really appealed to me,” she said. 

Through an automated messaging system, Anand learned about Marla Dell Talent agency which she later auditioned for and was accepted.

“It’s a fun network to be part of,” Anand said. 

Although she hasn’t started modeling yet, a lot of leg work has gone into the preparation for the work to come. She has been practicing fit and print modeling where she recieves clothes that companies are making and gives them feedback on how it fits. 

After her schedule gets less busy, she said she will pursue her modeling career by getting short notice jobs and sending audition tapes to see if she can model.

“[Modeling] was something that really appealed to me, because I was getting to use the more artistic side of myself that is not theater or performing.” Anand said. 

Parth Agarwala

Born to be on camera, junior Parth Agarwala first started modeling for Freestyle Academy last summer. From acting to TikTok dancing, Parth eventually got into modeling through the love of being on camera.

“Anything to get me on camera is something I’m interested in,” Agarwala said. “Whether that’s modeling [or] recording [or] a TikTok dance.”

Agarwala said he believes modeling is based mostly on looks. 

“I feel it is really important for a model to be aware of their own body and be super healthy,” Agarwala said. 

As a person who has acne, Agarwala said it is important to keep your body healthy , refreshed, and in good shape physically and mentally. 

“You want to look good with the clothes on, and/or you want to look good representing something. That requires the model to be super healthy, super fit, and have a good skincare routine.” 

As a man in a relatively female dominated job, Agarwala said he faces some challenges, especially around social dynamics.

“I feel like in this society, it is a little tricky for guys to talk about certain things.” Agarwala said. “For example, when I was starting out, I had a few questions about cosmetics and skincare routines, and it was hard to talk about it in public.” 

Agarwala enjoys being able to keep the clothes he tries on. As well as learning how to think outside of the box on how to position himself and the clothes he is wearing. 

“The reason why I’m interested in modeling is because I feel like it is an interesting way of trying different things,” Agarwala said.