When most people hear the word ‘model’, they think of people with a perfect body. Someone with a flawless face, weighs 100 lbs., is tall, and is walking down that runway soaking up the glamour. Well, if that, or something close to that, is the image you create, then what you’re picturing is the pinnacle of the career of the most successful, hard-working, and dedicated models. Most people realize that becoming a model doesn’t happen as quickly as it seems and that there are many steps throughout the process; this past weekend, I had the privilege of witnessing the beginning of it. On Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, a company called Manhattan Model Search came to Buffalo and held, now this is what gives people, in my opinion, more of an opportunity to be discovered, not only a modeling showcase, but also a talent showcase! Strange? I thought so, at first. Then I learned that actually, most people who attend these searches want to use modeling as a start to become singers. Maybe that should be common sense but I had never given it any thought prior.

Now, how many people feel confident enough to walk down a runway, the way what they believe is the correct way, and show agents from legitimate agencies at least 2 of, what they think is, their best photographs? What about those individuals who added singing and/or dancing to that? People look to those pop-stars or top models they admire for guidance, that’s already been established. But, to me, trying to jump to that spot right away seems highly impossible. I don’t understand how people think they can tackle that huge leap all at once. How about dividing that giant leap into 2 separate steps? Wouldn’t that make it much easier? Manhattan Model Search realized that as well, when they asked Manny and Joy Medina, a Latino brother and sister duo, ages 16 and 14, from the New York City area, and who also have their own live television show on prime time in New York City, to perform at their events for entertainment. Joy and Manny had performed for Manhattan Model Search in May in San Diego, California and in September in Chicago, Illinois. Their intent paid off, but also brought an unexpected result: the talent showcase. When Manhattan Model Search began to realize that Manny and Joy were a prime example of people, more specifically teens, right in the middle of that giant leap from becoming discovered to the pinnacle of a career, it made sense to show that to people.

It was because of Manny and Joy that now the company has had a door opened to them: a talent/pop-star search division. This consists of the talent showcase, where individuals who want to sing and/or dance have the chance to prove their skills. This is where Manny and Joy come in. They are there to show people what it is the agents want to see. Both teens have been working incessantly, much of which I’ve seen personally, since Manny was 8 and Joy was 6. They’ve performed for audiences as large as 16,000, and, as I’ve mentioned before, have their own live television show on prime time in New York City! Both Manny and Joy, along with their master choreographer, Danilo Sobers,and producer David Musial, stressed the importance of things like passion for your career. What I thought Manny, Joy, and Danilo said that was probably the best piece of advise was that,“if it doesn’t feel good [in your heart], then you shouldn’t be here.”

Melissa Hunter of Altoona, Pennsylvania, a Manhattan Model Search contestant who saw Manny and Joy perform in the talent showcase said, “They have energy and passion. I saw the bond between both of them and I could tell they were brother and sister. I also saw the bond between Manny, Joy, and Danilo; it made me feel comfortable.” Ron, a security guard from the event said, “I’m impressed to see them singing songs with positive messages instead of getting caught up in the madness in the streets.” Magic Jordan, a motivational speaker and owner of her own clothing line, Magic NYC, commented on Manny and Joy’s performance of Brave New American Heroes, a song dedicated to the September 11th tragedy, saying, “It was touching, very real, and it hits
home.” I believe that Manny and Joy helped many contestants, those who are serious, by showing them that it is possible to live your dream and that there are times that life is going to test you, test you very well. Also, there is no such thing as a perfect show. What could be better than the microphone cutting in and out during one of their performances? Now, imagine someone receiving 32 call-backs from 48 out of 50 agencies and the opportunities they will have. Now, imagine someone who received none. If what they are pursuing is their passion, is their true desire, that set-back is not going to keep them from attending other model/talent search events. What it will do, hopefully, is make people realize that their career is only beginning; I believe Manny and Joy are perfect examples for this.

Dan Drabik