Sarah Watts, 15, is new to the modeling world, and after being scouted by Alycia Kaback’s Talent Scouts Michael, got the opportunity to walk in 3 fashion shows during fashion week–a highly remarkable feat for someone just starting out.  Sarah and her mom Lorraine came into our office to talk about her journey thus far.

Sarah, how did you first get started with modeling for Colby Models and Kaback Model Management?

I was on vacation and someone saw me at the beach.  We came in for the open call, and someone who was working in the office, sent a picture of me to Ryan Colby and I was then asked to come up to NY.

 

Was this something you had considered getting into before?

Kind of, but I didn’t really do anything to get into it.

Lorraine:  We had only thought about it before because other people had told us “She should be a model.”

What jobs have you done so far?

I did 3 fashion shows during fashion week and 1 photo shoot so far, and I have another photo shoot this week in New York.  The first show I did was the Anna Francesca runway fashion show, which was a smaller runway.  Then I did Harlem Fashion Row for Kellia Rogers, who was very nice to work with.  The third show I did was for Amelia Boland during fashion week.

What was your favorite show that you got to do?

The Amelia Boland show, because it was the last one and I was more comfortable walking the runway, since I had only ever done it twice before.  It was also very exciting because there was a lot going on and everyone was very nice.  There were about 25 hair and 25 makeup artists there, and the designer was really sweet and down to earth.  Nothing felt rushed, which was good, since we were there for hours beforehand.  We had a practice walk, which was good because in the first two shows, I didn’t know what I was doing.

Did you get to keep any of the clothes you got to model?

No, but I got to keep jewelry from one of the shows, and the other 2 shows had gift bags for all the models.

What would be your dream modeling job?

Nothing in particular, just something that paid well so I can save money for college and study something that has to do with math and science.

 

If you could be on a magazine cover, which magazine would you want to be on?

 

Seventeen Magazine.  It’s one of the few magazines that I always read.

What was it like going on your first casting?

It was nerve wracking, because I wasn’t sure what it was going to be like.  This is a new and interesting experience for me.  I’m just starting to get used to the shoes, because I’ve never worn heels before.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I play basketball with my friends and like to hang out with them.  I’m also on the track team at school.

What do your friends think of your modeling?

They are really happy for me and ask me about the experiences.  They think it’s really cool.

Lorraine:  My friends want to be her chaperones for trips to Paris and Milan.

 

Has anything changed for you, since you first started modeling?

It’s a different experience, but it’s not affecting my home life that much.  It’s given me more confidence.

Lorraine:  She is a shy and quiet person, so just walking the runway is a feat in and of itself.  She’s very humble and it’s given her a little more confidence, which is a good thing.

 

What are your goals in both life and modeling?

I want to have a good career to support myself and to be happy.

What do you want a photographer or casting agent to come away with after meeting you?

That they can see how special I am and are like “Oh, wow.”

What was the fashion week atmosphere like?

It was rushed, busy, and stressful.  Everyone was running around and they were all day events.  There wasn’t really a chance to do other stuff because we were at the shows all day.

Lorraine, what were your thoughts when you first heard of Sarah being scouted?  Were you skeptical at first?

When I first came in, I was extremely skeptical.  We only came in because it was close by and Sarah’s friend was also given a card to come in.  I didn’t really think anything of it when she first told me about it, but the other mom had asked me what I was going to do, so when I saw the location we gave it a chance.  When she had come back in the 2^nd day, Alycia Kaback’s Talent Scout Mike saw her and sent her picture to Ryan and Ryan wanted her in New York the next day.

What is the time commitment like?

Lorraine: The first week wasn’t bad because school hadn’t started yet.  The next two weeks were difficult because high school had started and Ryan wanted us in New York every day because of Fashion Week, but she was starting to fall back.  Then, we could only go to the city twice a week and it had to be after school or on the weekends.  She missed school for the shows that she was booked for, but now everything has to go around the school schedule.  We can’t pull her out of school for everything, but she can miss days here and there.  We thought about doing Cyber School, but Sarah didn’t want to leave high school, so that is why we have everything around the school schedule now.  She’s an A student, so school is very important and is the number 1 priority.

What advice would you give people who were scouted and were debating coming in for an open call or not?

To listen and keep an open mind.  That is what I did, while still keeping the voice of reason in my head.

If you could meet anybody famous, who would you want to meet?

Hugh Jackman, Stevie Nixs and Steven Spielberg.

Lorraine, what was the experience like for you to watch Sarah on the runways at Fashion Week?

It was very exciting and was amazing to see how they pull everything together.  IT was cool how they did the hair and makeup and transformed her into the designer’s vision.  The only show that I got to go to was the Kellia Rogers show and I was backstage for that.  I was making sure the girls were taken care of-getting them food or drinks.  Right before the show started, Ryan O’Connor got my husband and I and we were able to go sit in the audience.  For the other two shows, my husband got to stand in the back and watch the shows.   Everyone there was really nice and sweet.  The misconception that models don’t eat is a complete lie-it’s all metabolism-and they can eat whatever they want.

What was the process of going to the castings and shows like for a parent who is there to support their child?

 

We went on 5 auditions and Sarah booked 3 shows.  People are very accommodating and make you feel welcome.  If you watch the reality shows, they show that models are mean and backstabbing, which is not what we witnessed.  Not being familiar with the industry, it was a surprise to see how nice everyone was.  Sarah got to come out with Amelia Bolan at the end of her fashion show in a signature dress, which was very cool to witness.

Are you worried about the pressures of the modeling world affecting Sarah?

No, she is very well grounded and doesn’t feel pressure that easily.