Lisa Bernheim / Picture Editor / lb320306@ohiou.edu

Meg Swallow is an OU student who is currently active in modeling.  Swallow was a finalist on America’s Next Top Model and she does high fashion shoots and runway shows.

Many Ohio University students say the most memorable party they’ve been to was Palmerfest.

OU junior Tommy Jacob, 21, of Cincinnati describes clubbing in Milan during January; sophomore Meg Swallow, 20, of Wyoming, Ohio, once attended a party in Los Angeles where servers distributed sushi in the nude.

Both are part-time models.

Jacob modeled suits in a Calvin Klein runway show in Italy and has also worked for American Eagle Outfitters, Abercrombie & Fitch and Men’s Wearhouse. He’s not the only aspiring model in Athens. Swallow was featured on season 10 of America’s Next Top Model and now models with an agency.

Both balance careers with a full course load.

GETTING DISCOVERED

After encouragement from family members, Jacob contacted a talent agency in his hometown last year. He later signed with Wilhelmina Models, a national modeling agency.

He spent last summer in Los Angeles, where he modeled for Abercrombie and American Eagle. Last fall, Jacob was selected to model in a Calvin Klein runway show, he said.

While he was initially concerned with missing class, Jacob said he felt that he had to take the opportunity.

Swallow, meanwhile, was at the Dayton Mall when she was approached by a representative from America’s Next Top Model and encouraged to try out for the show.

“I went on a whim,” Swallow said. “I thought, why not?”

Swallow was later notified that she had been selected from more than 10,000 applicants to film in L.A. during OU’s winter break.

Nervous and unsure of what to expect, she packed her bags and flew out alone.

FAMOUS ENCOUNTERS

When she arrived in L.A., Swallow was overwhelmed by the strict rules of the show.

Contestants were put through a battery of psychological and personality tests and weren’t allowed to talk unless the cameras were rolling.

“That made it difficult to make any friends,” she said. “I was already lonely out there.”

Swallow was also unimpressed with fashion icon and show host Tyra Banks.

“I was so disappointed — she’s shallow … and gives everyone the evil eye,” Swallow said. “My experience was that the people in front of the camera were egotistical but everyone behind the scenes was so nice.”

Although she was eliminated in the first episode, Swallow said she didn’t mind because she was uncomfortable revealing her personal life on camera.

“It was such an experience and I’m further in my career now,” she said.

Jacob was also overwhelmed at the runway show.

“I found out later about all the famous people there, but you can’t pay attention to the audience,” he said. “All that you can do is look straight ahead into the dozens of cameras that are flashing in your face.”

LIFE IN ATHENS

Swallow, who lives in Voigt Hall, is majoring in journalism and works at Bromley Dining Hall.

“Yeah, I have a modeling career,” she said. “But I also spend time in the dining hall cleaning out grease traps.”
Swallow still has not seen the Top Model episode she appeared in, though it aired last month.

Jacob, who lives on Milliron Street with several friends, said he enjoys partying on the weekends and playing basketball.
Jacob, who is single, said his career can hinder his dating life. “It can be difficult because I never know when I’ll get called out of town to do an assignment.”

GLAMOROUS GOALS

Those who want to pursue a modeling career need to contact a major agency, said Erin Scimeca, director of scouting at New York Models.

Many aspiring models begin at 14 and models older than 21 can be difficult to book, she said.

“Right now we’re looking for someone who is tall, with a good body and proportions,” Scimeca said. “We like to see wide eyes and a big forehead — people who look very striking and different.”

Once one has booked a modeling job, it is important to learn as much as possible about the industry from the experience, Jacob said.

“It’s really about networking and keeping contacts,” he said. Both declined to say how much they’d earned, but Swallow said she was given free clothes and agencies pay for her travel.

Before runway shows, men are given manicures and put through make-up, Jacob said. Assistants spray their shoes with hairspray to protect against the slippery runway.

Swallow said she knew many models who drank on the job and took drugs to reduce their weight.

“A lot of girls do (cocaine) to stay thin,” she said, adding that she has seen models taking ecstasy. Models can also face anxiety before runway shows, Swallow said.

“I remember seeing one girl with a water bottle full of vodka and by the time she got through makeup it was half gone,” she said.

FASHIONABLE FUTURES

Both Swallow and Jacob said it is difficult to find professors willing to excuse absences resulting from their modeling.
“It’s really tough to keep up with school work and be successful there, but also devote time to modeling,” Jacob said.
While Jacob continues to model, he said he would eventually like to work in business or marketing.

Swallow will fly to London in three weeks to do a runway show, but would ultimately like to work as an event planner or public relations representative.

“I’m doing this now because it’s fun, it’s free travel and I can make good money,” she said. “But eventually I’ll move on.”