By KAREN JAEN
Public opinion is what inspired senior Justin Townes to become a model. Not only did Townes feel driven by his peer’s comments and suggestions that told him he had the potential to become a model, but he himself also felt a desire to become a model.
Although Townes never previously tried to pursue his preferred career, he received an e-mail last year inviting him to a audition presented by John Robert Powers Modeling School. This is an international school that has discovered stars from Disney Channel such as Brenda Song.
The audition wasn’t only for modeling; it also included acting and singing which Townes was not informed of beforehand, but he continued with the audition.
Townes auditioned and almost immediately got the attention of a talent scout.
“[The talent scout] asked me to go to Los Angeles with a select chosen group to compete,” Townes said.
After being invited to Los Angeles, Townes was placed into a series of lessons at John Robert Powers to help improve his acting and modeling before the competition. Prior to this audition, Townes had no experience in the modeling or acting world.
“I learned how to do facial expressions, how to walk and improve my posture,” Townes said.
The iPOP competition had competitions in four categories: acting, modeling, dancing and singing, which took place in one week’s time. Townes only participated in the acting and modeling categories. The modeling portion consisted of a fashion runway and a swimsuit competition.
During the acting portion of the competition, Townes had to read a monologue and act out a scene; he also had to do a monologue for a commercial. Towne’s group received a callback for their performance in the acting portion.
The most important thing for him was the support and comfort he received from the group of models he went with to Los Angeles.
“[My favorite part] of the competition was the showcase at the end. The little kids did a Kidz Bop-themed performance; the older models did Twilight, which we auditioned for and got judged on. The judges placed them in either Team Edward or Team Jacob. [Team Jacob] dressed up as wolves and Team Edward’s models wore very pale make-up. I really liked it, “ Townes said.
Townes also expressed his gratitude for the group of models who attended Los Angeles with him. Townes still keeps in touch with them.
“They are like my second family; they were very comforting. [Although] some were younger, about 6-years-old and I was the oldest of the group, I could still have fun with them. After the competition, I got to know them better, and we’ve become friends,” Townes said.
Townes is hoping to take more lessons to help improve his modeling and acting to increase his chances of ‘making it big’.
The John Robert Powers Modeling School charges about $4000 for 40 weeks training, 20 weeks will be spent on modeling and the other 20 on acting.
Townes has also taken portraits and created a comp card and resume, which cost him about $400.
“[Modeling] is definitely something I want to do [after high school], but I have to find a job to [be able] to pay for modeling school. It’s very expensive but thanks to my mom, grandma and the talent scouts at John Robert
Powers I have gotten to this point” Townes said.