Agents Search for First Daughter Look-alikes
Modeling agents say clients want models who look like the first daughters.
Feb. 13, 2009 — -- Even the typically impenetrable world of modeling isn't immune to the Obama-mania that's sweeping the country.
Child modeling agents say they're being inundated with requests for models who look like Malia and Sasha Obama by companies that are trying to capitalize on the nation's fascination with the first family, which is also inspiring more girls to consider modeling as a career.
Amanda Blaire, the vice president of youth modeling agency Product Model Management in New York City, says she has seen a shift in the months after the election in what kind of models her clients are looking to book for ad campaigns.
"From the agency standpoint, there has been a huge change in what the demands are," Blaire told ABC News. "When we first opened [12 years ago], it was blonde hair, blue eyes and that was it."
Sandra Stollar of New York City, whose 9-year-old daughter Cailin is an aspiring model and actress represented by Blaire, says that having a black first family has made a huge difference to her daughter's self-esteem and career.
"I have seen a huge shift," Stollar said, "in what these agents want.
"They're looking for more kids who reflect what our society is about. They're not looking for the typical blonde child anymore."
Stollar, who says her daughter is half African-American and half Caucasian, said that her skin color has increased the number of booking calls she gets.
"She's booking jobs to represent Sasha Obama," said Stollar, who is now trying to capitalize on the phenomenon by starting a children's fashion line, Igloo Island, for tweens. "She's getting more jobs because she's different, she doesn't look like everyone else."
Cailin recently booked a gig on "Inside Edition," which shot her for a segment on the first daughters' fashion sense.
Cailin's agent, Blaire, said, "Obviously, there would be an occasional call for models of other ethnicities, but now the new craze is African-American kids."
Blaire said she saw the demand for black models surge after Election Day.
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