Ugly Talent and Modeling Agency

On the August 8, 2008 episode of the Today show, Al Roker interviewed Simon Rogers, the owner of the New York talent and modeling agency called Ugly. He also interviewed some of Ugly's modeling talent and helped Rogers scope out some fresh, new talent.

In case you are thinking a modeling job at an agency called "Ugly" would be more offensive than worth the paycheck, you should take a closer look. What this company does is really unique. Essentially, the agency is pushing aside all of our standard notions of beauty - pushing us to see past the norm and to realize that people of all shapes, sizes, and colors are beautiful on the outside and in.

In the video clip, you see a variety of Ugly's models. There is a little person, a large woman (with a great sense of humor), tattooed and pierced people, old and young people. I point out the large woman's sense of humor because, when Al asked the interview group if they wanted to be the next big thing, she pointed out that she already was the next big thing.

What is great about this concept is that the agency tries to find people who are totally secure with themselves. People who are proud of being different. Secure in their own skin. It provides a great opportunity for them to be discovered - Ugly models may work in print ads, television, even movies. This formula also lends much more realism to advertisements. I mean, how many weight loss advertisements have you seen where the person comes out looking taller, blonder, and has noticeably larger (and fake) breasts? Is that realistic? Maybe in California.

So how do you get noticed by an Ugly talent scout?

Rogers says that when he's scoping out talent, he looks for a person "who evokes a certain character or charm that breaks the mold" (MSNBC). Since Ugly is located in New York, Rogers says he has no problem finding people with character, charm, and uniqueness. He even street casts a lot of the time. You could be sitting on a park bench and suddenly get noticed by Rogers. If you don't consider yourself to be the standard model archetype, now you will know you are not being scammed by some dude when he hands you a business card for his modeling agency around the corner.

Ugly was originally created 39 years ago in England by two photographers who were tired of seeing and photographing the same old thing. Its first U.S. office opened in New York last summer and already has 500 models.

If you are interested in becoming an Ugly model, or know someone you'd like to recommend, check out the company's website...of course, you'll need to submit a picture. Here is the link: http://uglyny.com/

The interview was really neat. To view it, follow this link to MSNBC's website: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/26090936#26090936.

Oh, and the talent scoped by Al Roker? He's now an Ugly model! When Roker asked him if he'd mind being represented by an agency called "Ugly," he responded with, "I've been called worse." Classic.

Sources:
Bob Considine, "At this modeling agency, 'ugly' is really beautiful," Today Show/MSNBC

Video Clip, Today Show/MSNBC link