Within a week, I have been (surprisingly) approached twice by strangers. One was a teenage girl. The other, a man in his mid or late twenties. But both had the same motive: to get me into the modelling industry.

It happened on Monday afternoon. It was raining cats and dogs outside Plaza Singapura. I was with a classmate and we were on our way to Sunshine Plaza to check out animanga products. As we headed away from Plaza Singapura, this teenage girl suddenly pops up from nowhere right into my face, almost causing me to collide into her. (Do note that I wear a pair of very worn out Vans skate shoes: they have almost no friction.)

She went: “Hi-I’m-from-a-talent-scouting-agency-and-we-need-faces-like-yours-to-
join-as-a-model.”

She had said that so quickly (not to mention I was a little stunned as well) that I almost had to go, “Excuse me?”

Seriously, is that how your company employed you? To approach some average-looking girl and pop this sentence in her face while your eyes are checking out someone else that could be another potential victim of yours?

I was extremely angered with her actions but I plastered a smile to my face and said, “No, thanks. I’m not interested.”

I assumed she was desperate for commissions because she went, “Why don’t you leave your number so we can contact y—”

“No, thanks,” I interrupted her before she carried on insisting. “I’m not interested.”

She faltered for a second, as if shocked that I should refuse this golden opportunity to gain fame and whatnot.

I smiled and left her as that.

—

Yesterday, I was at Orchard Road, shopping for Jun Wei‘s birthday present and doing some personal window shopping as well. As I was waiting for Bus 14 at the bus stop outside Lucky Plaza, a man came from behind me. At first, I thought that he wanted to ask for directions to get to some place.

He said: “Hi, I’m XXX (I did not catch his name). You are?”

“Nadine.”

“Hello, Nadine.” He extends his hand and I shake it. “I’m from Creative Talents and I thought that you may like to try out modelling?”

I must have widened my eyes and looked confused because he went, “You know, modelling?”

I nodded. My reason for looking confused was because I was stunned again. What is up with these people? Is it bug-Nadine-to-become-a-model-week? (I get that enough from my aunt and Jun Wei.)

“Yes, I know,” I answered him. “But sorry, I’m not interested.”

“Oh, but why? We’re looking for fresh faces to model.”

“Thanks. But I’m not interested.”

“But why? You’ve got the looks, and the smile.”

“Uh, thanks. But I’m not interested.”

“But why?”

“I’m not interested.”

“Is it because you need parents consent?”

“Not that. I have some friends who got scouted and…”

I remembered QT when she told me about being scouted along Orchard Road. She had to fork out her own money to have her portfolio done and after going through many interviews, she did not get a deal.

Then, I recalled Elisia telling me about getting scouted along with her sister and they had to fork out hundreds of dollars just for their portfolio shoot. (I personally would rather spend that money on imported BLEACH comic books and figurines.)

By now, he took out a little black notebook from him back pockets and was flipping through the pages.

“Please,” I told him before he wanted my contact number. “I’m really not interested.”

“Then at least let me give you my card,” he began as he reached for his back pocket again and took out a white namecard.

“Um, I’m really not interested but if you insist, I’ll take the card.”

“Oh, no, no. I won’t insist. Don’t worry.”

I smile.

—

If you’re wondering, “Oh my gawd, Nadine! Why are you so stupid! You could be famous! I could boast about you being my friend!” Well, I wonder about that too. On the other hand, if you’re going, “Oh my gawd, Nadine! These are so common! I’ve been approached more times than you! Don’t be fooled! They just want to drain money out from you!” And well, I have thought about that too.

I mean, being a model is not that bad. I do not find it degrading or anything. As I am writing this, I am reminded of an old friend. Shaun‘s model name was Perry. I remember that he was so proud being on national television for a KFC advertisement. I remember waiting in front of the television for one hour, switching between channels 5 and 8, hoping to catch the advertisement and laugh at him, then support him.

I don’t mind doing these kind of ads. (But not the latest McDonald’s FAN-tastic burger. It is so lame, I tell you.) I guess I don’t mind doing ads for kid’s clothes. At least, that is what I have been told that I can actually model for.

So, why did I turn down those two offers? Firstly, I do not think that I am that good-looking. Secondly, I do not want to get my hopes up. Thirdly, I do not want to feel that I am actually good. And lastly, I am happy the way I am—Nadine, not a model.