Model and Academics: the balance: Betsy Leimbigler at TEDxUOttawa

"I started modeling the way a lot of young models start out: having been scouted after performing in my high school musical at age 14. I began working as a model at age 17. In the modeling industry, this is considered pretty old to be starting out. However, starting later did put me in an interesting position and over the years I've been able to grow, learn, fail, succeed, toughen up, and observe how every model has a different experience in this massive industry. I can safely say that modeling is the major reason that I started getting interested in women's issues, feminism, and politics -- because the power dynamics are blatant in modeling. I'm also fascinated by ethnicity and representation of beauty, all central to the beauty and modeling industry. I'd like to explore, using my and other girl's experiences, what it's like to be normalized in an environment that seems quite far removed from our realities at a University. Furthermore, how far removed a young model's experience on set is from the product he or she may be selling. Getting mixed messages from very different social circles while growing up led me to question the ethics of modeling as well as focus on some really good parts of the industry. So much of modeling is based off of image, reputation, and of course measurements. I've seen in others, as well as experienced myself, the highs and lows of success and how bizarre it is to sign away your control over your body to an agency. It's a fascinating intersection of fashion and power, and the young girls that make up the majority of young models are a resilient, tough bunch. I have learned a lot from them and while for now I've prioritized the books, I still venture into this world of fantasy from time to time."

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