Camala Beek

A little about me,

I began modeling out of pure chance, and probably went the wrong way about doing it.  I was in Denver, Colorado and New York Model Contracts was having a showcase in a Sheriton hotel.  I was 12 years old at the time and was waiting for my mom to get out of school at the University of Phoenix.  An agent saw me and pulled me into the convention.  I knew nothing of the event and just happened to be in the right spot at the right time.  They ended up choosing me to attend a showcase in Anehiem, CA out of thousands of girls.

Once in Anahiem, I had my five seconds of fame as I walked down the runway with a number pinned to my chest.  Aligning the runway were 15 of the top agencies in the country.  If they were interested, they wrote down your number.  I had interest from Elite, Ford, Whilhimena, L.A. Models, NEXT, and House of Representatives.  Over the course of the next couple weeks, Elite and L.A. Models wanted to sign me, and I ended up going with L.A. Models.

From there I started my career by going to LA and doing tons of test shoots.  At that time, my weight wasn't a problem; I was 13 and hadn't hit puberty!  Modeling was a confidence booster because the agents loved the very things I hated. I was insecure about my big nose and ears, and being so freakishly tall and skinny.  Instead of being made fun of, I was hearing things like, "you're beautiful," "you have such a gorgeous look," and "you're going to be a star!"

After LA, I signed with New York Models in New York, and eventually signed with Storm in London.  However, around 16 years old, I began to struggle with myself image and my weight.  I was always one of the "bigger models" at 34-24-35, and my hips were "too big." I was so self conscious about them that I lacked confidence in castings and did everything I could to keep them down.  Ironically, this was when my career was beginning to blossom; doing shoots in New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Las Vegas, and London. I also was going to more and more castings.  I couldn't help but compare myself to all the other girls who were skinnier, edgier, more confident, had a better walk, or were prettier. In the end, it got the best of me. I had NO self confidence and wasn't booking jobs.  I was told, "your body is all wrong", "your look isn't in right now" and  "your look doesn't match your personality." --Quite different from what I was being told in the beginning.

Looking back, I do miss being backstage at a runway show, seeing pictures of myself in magazines, getting to travel, and the people I got to meet.  But, I don't miss the pressure of trying to stay so sickly thin and being judged day in and day out.  It has truly shaped who I am for the better, and opened my eyes to the possibilities I can achieve. Modeling helped me discover who I am and who I want to be.

Today, I have a bachelors of science in Communication with an Emphasis on Public relations.  I am working as a Marketing Communication Specialist and Copywriter in Germany for a Communications and Marketing Agency that also works with sports.  In college, I played for the Lady Zia Volleyball team and am using my love of sports, modeling, and writing within my career. I hope to one day work in both the sports and modeling industry as an PR and Marketing Specialist or Talent Manager.

Modeling is a tough, unstable career.  I think I have found the right path to still be a part of what I love, but not have to deal with the pressures of being a model.