Some girls dream about being discovered by a modeling scout and launched on the road to supermodel stardom. Nicolette Wall, 15, of the New Egypt section of Plumsted, never seriously thought about modeling, although many family members and friends had suggested she consider it as a career.
Nicolette Wall, 15, of Plumsted, never seriously thought about modeling, but a chance meeting with a man who manages models and actors has led her to a unique opportunity. Fate intervened on the New Jersey Turnpike on Sept. 13, 2009. That is when Daryl Washington of Pennsylvania, a scout and manager of models and actors with Global Management 101 of New York, noticed Nicolette.
Nicolette’s mom, Michelle Wall, explained that “Our family had stopped at a rest stop on the turnpike on our way home from Connecticut. As I was leaving the convenience store, Daryl approached me and asked if that was my daughter. He pointed to Nicolette, who was standing with her brother and sister. At first I was taken aback. My first instinct was to protect her and find out exactly why he was asking about my daughter.”
Washington described what happened next.
“I then said to her, ‘By any chance is your daughter a model?’ Her mom said, ‘No, why are you asking me that?’ I explained who I was and gave them my business card. I asked Nicolette if she was interested [in modeling] and she said she might be.”
Nicolette, who is in the ninth grade at New Egypt High School, stands 5 feet, 9.5 inches tall. The day Washington noticed her she was wearing shorts, a tank top and glasses. Washington described the teenager as striking with German, Polish and Irish features combined.
Knowing it was a bit unsettling for the Walls to be approached under such unusual circumstances, Washington encouraged them to take their time and to check out his credentials before making any decisions. He provided them with references from parents of other models he represents as well as websites and newspaper clippings.
Michelle and her husband, Matthew Wall, spoke to the other parents and perused the information. After several meetings with Washington, they felt comfortable and elected to move forward with him.
At that point, Washington jumped into action and has not stopped since. He believes Nicolette has a huge career ahead of her and is not wasting any time. He spirited Nicolette off to New York City for her first test shoot with photographer Joseph Paradiso. A week later they returned to New York City for another photo shoot with Itaysha Jordan at Itaysha Jordan Studios.
He then sent Nicolette’s photos to a number of modeling agencies including Ford, DNA, Marilyn’s, Next and IMG. Nicolette received six contract offers and the family decided to sign with IMG.
When casting director Victoria Shubayeva of Mareka and Associates, New York City, saw Nicolette’s photos, she was impressed and booked the teen through Washington’s company to do photo shoots in New York for two European magazines.
World-renowned photographer Walter Chin photographed Nicolette for Max Italy, which features high fashion clothing, and she posed in front of photographer Francesco Carrozzini’s lens for Italian Vogue Gioiello, which focuses on fine jewelry.
Gina Brooke, who is Madonna’s makeup artist, applied Nicolette’s makeup for both photo sessions.
Shubayeva said, “When Daryl Washington first showed me Nicolette’s pictures, I was taken away. Her beauty is truly captivating and timeless. I think that Nicolette will be one of the top new faces of 2010. She is a star in the making.”
Nicolette, who is enjoying her new career, said she is grateful for this opportunity. At this point, she said, her life has not changed much.
“I have met a lot of great people and made new friends, but I still do the same things I did before, like going to school and hanging out with friends. My friends have been supportive and haven’t treated me any differently than before my modeling. If I have to miss any school [for a photo session], I have the opportunity to stay after and catch up with my work. My parents have been able to adjust their work schedules to get me to my photo shoots,” she said.
Nicolette volunteers at the Reindancer Riding Center, New Egypt, on weekends. She enjoys horseback riding, swimming, movies and getting together with her friends. She plans to attend college after she graduates from high school.
When asked if she can see herself becoming a supermodel one day, Nicolette replied, “I can see myself as a supermodel with the support of my family and the guidance from Daryl and the IMG team.”
Nicolette said she was very nervous at her first photo shoot and did not know what to expect.
“It was very exciting,” she explained. “Joseph and [his partner] Yuki were amazing and guided me throughout the shoot,” she said.
Nicolette’s family is very supportive of her newfound modeling career.
“Her sister Alyssa, 10, a fifth-grade student at the Dr. Gerald H. Woehr Elementary School, is excited for [Nicolette] and can’t wait to go to Paris” on a photo shoot with her one day, said the children’s mother, Michelle. “Her brother, Kyle, 12, a seventhgrader at the New Egypt Middle School, hasn’t been affected by his sister’s venture into modeling. He is busy with baseball and friends.”
Nicolette’s mom, Michelle, and dad, Matt, said, “We are very excited for this new journey our daughter is taking. Nicolette is enjoying what she is doing, and we will stand by her and support her throughout her journey.”