The series’ final episode has rolled around and after many tears, tantrums and ups and downs, the finale certainly doesn’t disappoint.
The Model Agency – Episode 7
![The Premier Team, sourced via premiermodelstyle.com The Premier Team, sourced via premiermodelstyle.com](http://assets.talentmanagement.com/blog/wp-uploads/2011/03/the-premier-team-300x211.jpg)
The series’ final episode has rolled around and after many tears, tantrums and ups and downs, the finale certainly doesn’t disappoint.
Difficult decisions must be made as the agency decides it’s time to remove some of the models on its books who are no longer proving to be successful. As is highlighted in the program, new models are being found every day, and these must become Premier’s primary focus. This is a harsh process for both the agency and the girls in question as for most of them, it marks the end of their career with Premier.
In the mean time, Carole speaks openly about the Hague trial of Charles Taylor and her relationship with supermodel Naomi Campbell. Having once referred to Carole as a “surrogate mother”, the relationship between them is now just a commercial dispute. The Streatham-born model is alleged to have received a blood diamond in 1997 from Taylor, the then recently elected leader of Liberia.
Back in summer 2010, Carole volunteered as a witness in the trial of the former president of Liberia, Charles Taylor. We see footage of her seven-hour cross-examination intercut with Carole’s thoughts on the whole experience and additional interviews with the other Premier bookers. As a result of Annie having posted photographs of a ‘Blood Diamond Party’ on Facebook, they were all unfortunately drawn into the case. Chris, Carole and Sissy all discuss the positive and negative impact that Naomi Campbell has had on their business and personal lives.
Focus back on the potential models, Premier’s new face Abbie is struggling to find work and visits Annie to discuss he options moving forwards. Her dream is to become a show girl, but at 5’9” she is still considered too short for the catwalk and has problems walking in high heels – a prerequisite for any catwalk model.
Flipping the coin, walk-in India-Madeline makes a strong first impression. Of course, new girls must be snapped up promptly before other model scouts move in like moths to a flame. But, as the show highlights, being signed is really only the first step and both Abbie and India-Madeleine will have to invest a great deal of time and money if they want to make it in the business. Not to mention, the work ethic required combined with constant criticism regarding their appearance.
Amidst the ‘out with the old and in with the new’ approach, naturally the bookers rise to defend their girls which might be given the chop. Sissy attacks Carole for her ruthless attitude towards the entire process, to which Carole promptly reminds them that Premier is a business and she is simply not prepared to keep girls on their books who are not delivering.
Three years ago, a survey found that 32% of teenage girls would love to work as models, labouring under the misapprehension that editorial modelling is as glamorous and exciting as it is easy. All in all, The Model Agency’s first series has completely obliterated this view. We have witnessed meltdowns, girls being called too tall, too short, too thin, too fat and watched lost homesick teenagers wander aimlessly around London’s streets. However, we have also seen the clothes, the locations, the money and the girls like Leomie Anderson who are now reaping the rewards from their modelling careers. The fact remains that whilst modelling is a cutthroat and judgemental industry, it can be life-changing for those who succeed.