LIFE

@aveyahaggerty

We're not going to lie: It's not easy to be a model. Between classes, auditions, competitions and scouting events, it takes hard work. But for Barbizon graduate Aveya H., 17, her determination and drive to break into modeling is starting to pay off.

We watched it all come together for Aveya in real time at this year's Barbizon Passport To Discovery (PTD) in sunny Orlando, Florida. The annual competition gives aspiring models, singers, dancers and actors their chance to make their dreams come true, as they showcase their talents for agents and managers from across the country. (Oh, and did we mention PTD is also an amazing vacay with tons of new besties?) Get all the deets and send in your PTD audition here!

Want all the behind-the-scenes deets? Aveya, GL's 2024 PTD Top Model, sat down with us to share it all...

Pssst...Want to win your very own Barbizon Swag Bag? Enter to win here!

DAY 1: Let's get this party started! 🎉 

@aveyahaggerty

For Aveya, everything is in the timing. "I was supposed to attend PTD last year, but it wasn't in the cards," she explains. "So I kept working all the way up to a Barbizon competition in Dallas earlier this year." A competition she just happened to win.

And with that win? "I earned a full-ride scholarship to this year's PTD. I couldn't believe it. I remember seeing my mom in the crowd, shouting, 'That's my girl!'"

That's how Aveya found herself in Orlando, introducing herself to Barbizon grads from all over the U.S.—and hiding her nerves while she prepped to compete the very next day...

Related: QUIZ! How will you shine this school year?

DAY 2: Strut your stuff—the competition begins ⭐️ 

First up at Passport to Discovery? The runway competition. It's every contestant's chance to make a stunning first impression—and Aveya was ready to make hers.

"I was literally shaking, I was so scared!" Aveya spills. "But I told myself, 'Listen. We're in it now. Don't act nervous.' I went out there and loved every second."

Her advice for big moments like that? "Be confident and let your personality shine through. You worked so hard to get there—and you're still working hard! Keep your training in mind, go out there and shine."

@aveyahaggerty

DAY 3: Acting up 🎭 

It's not just runways Aveya needed to prep for. At PTD, she knew she needed to be ready for acting competitions, like memorizing a monologue, performing a cold reading (aka acting out a script you receive on the spot) and even doing improv with another contestant.

"It really showed me how much I want to explore acting," Aveya explains. "I don't want to limit myself. I want to be able to do it all."

DAY 4: A bit more work—and a lot more play 🏰 

"There's so much to learn at PTD," explains Aveya. "You're sharing the hotel with all these amazing agents who have so much to teach you—and I was so excited to learn from them."

At PTD, not only are there competitions to showcase your skills, but there are also tons of helpful workshops hosted by the pros.

And while you're working hard? You're playing hard, too. Because PTD celebrates the magic with pool parties, talent shows and even time for a day trip to Disney World.

@aveyahaggerty

"I loved making so many new friends!" says Aveya. "Everyone is there for the same reasons, everyone wants to work hard and everyone wants to celebrate your wins with you."

And even though Aveya's now back home, she still makes time to chat with her newfound PTD friends. "We still stay in touch all the time. We love hearing about everyone's new opportunities."

DAY 5: Jumpstart your dreams—it's time for callbacks ☎️ 

Aveya smiles thinking about how happy her younger self would be to see how far she's come. "I just fell in love with modeling," she says. "Little me would be screaming right now. So I owe it to her to work my hardest."

Maybe that's how she got over 54 callbacks. Maybe it's also how she's received offers to work in Cape Town, Sicily, Paris and more.

"Once I got my callbacks list, I dove into researching," she says. "I wanted to go into those meetings ready to make a great impression!"

Needless to say, Aveya definitely did. And we can't wait to see where she goes next...

Looking to take your modeling and acting dreams to the next level? CLICK HERE for *all* the deets on Passport to Discovery!

by GL | 8/30/2024