Chapman's next top model balances catwalks with college life

Junior business administration major Jaclyn Reid sat down with The Panther to discuss her career as a runway model and her experience working in the modeling industry. Photos courtesy of Jaclyn Reid 

The combination of baking maple apple cinnamon cupcakes and watching "America's Next Top Model" was the perfect after-school routine for junior business administration major Jaclyn Reid back in middle school. 

Along with being a good accompaniment to making sweet treats, the reality show inspired Jaclyn Reid to immerse herself into the modeling industry when she was just 13 years old. 

"I learned everything about modeling from Kelly Cutrone and Tyra Banks," she said. 

After being scouted by her now-friend and model Kelly Mittendorf, Jaclyn Reid was signed onto a local modeling agency in Arizona and has since continued her modeling career in California. She told The Panther that after eight years in the industry, she quickly learned two things: how to walk the runway in stilettos and that the world of modeling is quite different for each individual.  

"The modeling industry is very unique to each person," she said. "Everyone has a different experience. It takes a lot of patience because your career just won't happen overnight. It's a lot of learning little tips and tricks and meeting the right people." 

Despite her task of juggling a modeling career, being in a sorority and devoting time to school, Jaclyn Reid told The Panther her commitment to modeling began to slowly fade away until last April when she was signed to a new modeling agency in Los Angeles. That agency, Wilhelmina, is, according to their website, "one of the most prominent talent management agencies in the world" since its founding in 1967.

Jaclyn Reid said getting signed by Wilhelmina had been a dream of hers for as long as she can remember and paved the way for the possibility to model as a full-time career. 

Although there is not one path to follow in order to be successful in the modeling industry, Jaclyn Reid said she recommends making content with friends that showcases your creativity and can also serve as portfolio pieces to show for casting calls. 

"I was walking into one of my finals, and I got a call from my agent in Arizona and he was like, 'Check your email, Wilhelmina wants to sign you,'" Jaclyn Reid said. "I was like, 'What? What are you talking about?' I was so happy and I couldn't even focus on my final.”

Since becoming a part of Wilhelmina, Jaclyn Reid has been offered around 10 modeling jobs this past school year, including a Bulgari jewelry show in San Diego and an Oscar de la Renta show in Indian Wells. Recently, on April 20, Jaclyn Reid was cast for a fashion show in Palm Springs at the Yaamava Resort & Casino. Along with meeting Julia Fox and attending a Joan Jett concert with the other models, she said she has preference for runway work instead of print since she is able to connect with everyone else at the event. 

"(Runway) is a lot more interactive with the makeup artists, the hair people, the photographers, other models — you get a lot more downtime to network and meet people," Jaclyn Reid said. "With a shoot, you are basically in front of the camera the whole time, and it's a lot more demanding."

While Jaclyn Reid's skills as a model have increased over the years through building connections and lots of practice, her mom Jean Reid said she noticed the dedication right away during her first runway event at Phoenix Fashion Week when she was 13.

"Some of the ladies that were sitting next to me (in the audience) who I didn't know were like, 'Oh is that your daughter?' and I was like, 'Yes,'" Jean Reid said. "When I told them that she was only 13, they were shocked and were like, 'Wow we would never have guessed that, she could easily be 21 because she looks so in her element.'"

A highlight of Jaclyn Reid's runways events was when she met Cutrone, the very person she grew up watching on "America's Next Top Model." Since Cutrone is known as a challenging judge on the show, she said that Cutrone's compliments gave her the validation she needed. 

"It was so surreal to meet (Cutrone) and have her tell me that I had a good walk and that I'm a good model," Jaclyn Reid said. "It was really nice to hear from someone who is such a tough critic. It was nice to receive validation from someone who I really respect."

Even though Jean said she wishes she could attend every single one of her daughter's shows, she told The Panther she is over-the-moon proud of her girl who used to be obsessed with Cara Delevingne and now is a model on her own. 

"I have always known that the drive, talent and the beauty has been there, but it's nice to finally see that recognition being made by more people," Jean Reid said. "With every show that she's booked for, she's getting more comfortable, more poised and obviously more experienced, and it's just lovely seeing her blossom and develop that passion for the industry."

Although there is not one path to follow in order to be successful in the modeling industry, Jaclyn Reid said she recommends making content with friends that showcases your creativity and can also serve as portfolio pieces to show for casting calls. 

"Start doing your own shoots with your friends doing creative things and posting it so when you go back the second time to an open call trying to get signed, you have a lot more photos in your portfolio and they can see you actually doing the work," Jaclyn Reid said.   

As for the future, Jaclyn Reid plans on devoting the first year or so after she graduates in 2024 to modeling, which could hopefully lead to her dream of working during New York Fashion Week. But, she has also developed a love for real estate during her time at Chapman and plans on interning at Coldwell Banker Richard Ellis this summer to learn more about that industry. 

Although there may not be a runway in real estate, Jaclyn Reid said she notices similarities between the two professions.

"You basically work for yourself in both industries and have to put in your own time and take it seriously in order to be successful," Jaclyn Reid said. "A lot of people (in both industries) are very motivated and creative. I love the independence of both of them."

As for advice, Jaclyn Reid said that even the slightest motivation to begin a new endeavor or jump into a new career should be pursued, because you never know where that journey, or catwalk, will take you.  

"Modeling has nothing to do with who you are or what you look like," she said. "It honestly just happens to be who you know, networking and then saying ‘yes’ to everything. I'm someone who goes with the flow and trusts the process and that has definitely worked out for me. Never give up on chasing that dream if that is something you really want to do because someone will see that drive and potential in you and you could definitely be a model."