PARENT MANAGERS: GOOD, BAD OR UGLY?

 Super-momager: Sessilee Lopez (left) with her mother Janice Celeste (right) who has published a guide for parents of aspiring models

Beyonce’, Tyra Banks, and even Halle Berry have all had very successful careers in the entertainment industry and they have all had parents as their business managers. So, is that the answer? or maybe we should look at careers gone wrong with talent like Gary Coleman or Whitney Houston who found themselves at odds with their parents after years of managing their careers.

 Sometimes parents with all the right intentions should just get out of the way and let the industry professionals guide their beloved child down the right path.

I have witness models with all the potential in the world get pushed to the side or completely overlooked because they had parents that agents just did not want to deal with. 

Are you an aspiring talent with an over Zealous parent, or maybe a parent that feels that nobody can take care of your baby like you?  How do you feel?  Leave us a note and Tune in to Modelbiz Radio Thursday at 3pm as we discuss the Good, the Bad and the Ugly of parent managers

Models and Relationships: Good or Bad?

The fashion and entertainment industry is flooded with all sorts of sexual overtones. When people of the opposite sex see models in advertisements, especially where they're selling things with sexual overtones, illusions are created that say models are sex objects and many people in the mass market may believe that models are easy or loose.

But in their private lives most models are not sexually promiscuous. Many are married, in committed relationships or are so busy with their careers that they just don't have time. 

Still, there are others who throw caution to the wind and have sex with everyone they can. Some are lonely or far away from home. so haven't yet realized that they don't have to sleep with everyone who asks them, and some are just naturally sexual. 

Having a meaning full relationship while pursuing a Modeling or Acting career sometimes can be very difficult. Is it hard to find someone who will be non -judgmental and understanding?

There are some people who hang around and date models exclusively. We call them modelizers.

Many modelizers just like the idea of dating a model. You hear it in today's pop and rap songs all the time, but aren't interested in the real person.

Have you ever had to deal with a bad relationship because of your career? Tell us about it and how you dealt with it.

David vs. Goliath: Small and Large Agencies

When you first starting out, there are several advantages to going with a small agency. There's a lot less competition, so you are not competing against so many other models in your own agency.

The bookers in a small agency may work a lot harder for you when you are getting started, because they may not have as many high-profile, big-name models who are bringing in the big bucks. 

One of the downsides to being with a smaller agency is that each individual model manager has a lot more responsibility than someone at a larger agency. the manager may be responsible for scouting new models, developing them, organizing their books, sending them to see clients, and following up. 

He or she may have everything involved with managing the models, promoting and running the agency. This may take away the time it takes to devote to you. 

When you are starting your career with a large agency the advantage is that they may have the manpower to take care of all of your individual needs. You can also grow with a larger agency. Also there will be more then one person looking out for you, in addition to your own personal booker.

One disadvantage of a large agency is that even though there are a lot more bookers woh specialize in what you do, there are also a lot more models. As a result  you end up competing not only with models from other agencies, but also with you own agency models. 

Also if your career is not progressing in the way that you r agency had hoped you could get lost in the shuffle because they have so many models to think about. They may not take the time to concentrate on your weak areas and help yoiu improve.