If I were you, I would try something like tap dance or ballet where they are allowed to perform at parks and halls. Let her get a taste of being in front of people and performing. Try parks and recreation near your area and sign her up for a class. Usually they are low cost and you just have to provide her uniform & shoes. In the meantime, you can teach her about sportsmanship, good nutrition, hard work and discipline.

If it works out for a year or so and she continues to improve, then allow her to model.

Let her choose her own path when she is old enough.

If you look at all the successful models right now, none were 'child' models.

I actually was a child model when I was eleven and twelve (I'm 18 now, so relatively recently), and after being in that situation for two years, I made the decision on my own NOT to renew my contract. It is a very fake industry. I grew up singing, acting and doing beauty pageants, and it was loads of fun, I still perform my music around town now that I'm older, but the modeling/talent industry is a LOT for a child that age to take on; countless rejections and loads of hard work are meant only for people ready to take that on.

That being said, I say there is no harm in letting your daughter try it out. I think you should start with what pinupsweetheart suggested: let her join children's choirs, children's theatre, beauty pageants and the like, and if she's still got the bug, go find an agency that is LEGITIMATE.

Lots of "agencies", namely Barbizon and Page Parkes will want you to pay hundreds or even thousands of dollars for a few classes, pictures, and the "chance" that a REAL agency will pick you up. The main thing to look at is cost. I lived in Houston and I went to an agency called Millennia Models that did require me to take classes and do a professional photoshoot for comp cards and a portfolio before they accepted me, but the total cost was only about $400, which is CHEAP for the intensity of the classes and the professional photoshoot.

Yes, it is a chunk of money when you're not guaranteed acceptance, but other agencies will charge 2 or 3 thousand dollars for the same or even less. The fact that they were so cheap proved that they were looking at talent, NOT dollar $igns. Ultimately it is up to YOU, the parent, to decide what is best for your daughter. But, remember to keep her grounded with a level head. The SECOND she starts exhibiting behaviours such as saying "I'm a STAR", wanting to be skinnier, wanting to wear makeup everyday, wanting expensive things, being demanding, etc. PULL HER OUT IMMEDIATELY. Britney Spears, Lindsay Lohan, and Drew Barrymore (if you remember her rehab stint at 13!) were all brought up in the limelight, and you can see what happens when the parents care more about the child's fame than their child. The talent industry is a risky business, but it could pay off immensely, so get out there and start looking for opportunities while keeping your child and her interests in mind.

Whew! I pretty much wrote a book here. Anyway, I hope that this helps, and you can private message me if you have anymore questions... As a child I've auditioned for everything from Zoom to American Idol, every modeling agency advertised on television... you name it and I probably tried it. Good luck and I hope your daughter finds happiness in whatever you decide to do!

i think that if you put children in that stuff a little early it might be problematic later in life. take lindsay lohan. even though she wasn't a model but an actress.

Yes. I think it's best to let her decide what she wants to be when she's old enough. I know a lot of beautiful people who would much prefer working in a lab coat all day or something like that. From what you tell me, she won't need the fact that she's a model to reassure her that she's beautiful.

Lindsey Lohan was a child model, she was signed to Ford Models I believe and did a lot of catalog work. That said I think you need to be really careful there is a ton of rejection and if you can maybe start her out as a fit model.

the only thing i can say is that if your in it with her-- 100%, and feel that you, as a parent, have the ability to control and be a bigger influence in your daughters life than "fame" can ever be, she will do just fine. all the mentioned models.. lindsay, drew, etc.. WERE MILKED by the people they trusted-- namely, their mothers. my sister was a model since age five-- but she was also in ballet, played with all the other little kids, and still climbed trees just like anyone else her age. she still had a childhood and my mother reminded her everyday that she was JUST LIKE EVERYONE ELSE. its important that any sign of superiority is nipped in the bud. it is your job to take care of such things. the greatest gift you can give her if she pursues that life is self confidence, undying support (she WILL face some sort of rejection and you have to be prepared to handle that) and making sure she is always in touch with reality. i think the most important thing you mentioned is SHE is asking for it. i truly truly believe that if my mother would have said no to my sister or the age old "do whatever you want when your 18" she would still be resentful to this day at the age of 22. remember a models PRIME is her adolesence and young teen years. in that industry, 18 is considered semi-old. if you at least let her take acting classes and let her build her talent in other ways, then perhaps she could pursue her dreams when she is older. make deals with her like if she keeps her grades up she can take this class.. etc.. my sister could only continue to model if she worked hard and kept up her end of the bargain. in no way did she live the easy glamorous life.. my mother put any earnings in a savings account for her and never touched it. if she really wants that life, she will show you an amazing amount of responsiblity that will help her survive that life. hope it helps. remember its her life and its your job to do what is best for her! your role is critical in this. good luck to you and your daughter

I think that if your daughter wants to perform, you should give her an outlet for that energy. But modeling or pagents don't have to be the only route, what does she think about dance or gymastics, something like that? But if you do decide to sign her with an agent, do go with your instinct about not paying for classes etc. Contact a reputable agency directly to set up a meeting. I'm not sure who all does child modeling, but try Elite maybe, Ford? Maybe they could refer you. Do expect to pay for headshots, and comp cards, etc.

As far as eating disorders, etc, just keep an eye on your daughter. Yes, the industry is rampant with it, but as long as she is happy with herself and learns to accept her body etc, she will be fine. EDs don't come out of nowhere, and just keep a close eye on her. If the business isn't making her happy, it's obviously not right for her anyway. Also, I'm sure you know, but be careful around any skeezy photographers. There's no reason she would need to be left alone with them.

Never Never go to an "agency" that asks YOU for money. Ever.

There is a book called "Complete Guide for Models: Inside Advice from Industry Pros for Fashion Modeling" by Eric Bean and Jenni Bidner. Its one of the best books out there for information on getting started in modeling, and candid advice for once you are in.

take it from someone who has dealt with eating disorders, Its more about "control" than looks, and if your daughter feels like she has a say in her present and future and you allow her to make decisions on her potential career she should be fine. There is nothing worse than having a passion for something, and having no say in it what so ever.

i agree with everyone above and i commend you on your concern for your daughters futures. some parents are just concerned with the money they can make off of their children... you head and heart are in the right place. good luck

I did a lot of catalog modelling as a child and then got out of it as i got older. Once you hit 13-14 you start feeling a LOT of pressure to stay thin and it wasn't what my mom wanted for me.
You can definitely let her do it, but do your best to remember that you're still her parent and even if she models it shouldn't be the most important thing in her life. If she wants to model, she still needs to do her chores and live by the family rules. When she gets older, if she's still in it, she needs to make sure all her homework is done and she stays involved in school activities. If you keep the modeling as a side bar of her life, rather than the whole thing, she should be fine. Also, MAKE SURE you talk to her about the pressures of the modeling industry, as openly as you can. Discuss the superficiality, and make sure she knows that although she is very pretty, that is not the most important thing about her, and that looks will only get you so far. As the parent, you need to make sure she stays grounded. It's a LOT for a child to handle and you're going to have to not only help her interpret the things that she sees/hears but also be her buffer. Good luck!

I did modeling from 4 up until I was 17 and about to be sent to Milan for fashion shows. Every time I walked into the agency, I was told, "it would be best if you just dropped 5 little pounds...that shouldn't be a problem, right?" Keep in mind that I am just about 5'11" and I was around 117lbs at the time. I felt HORRIBLE about myself. My contact came up for renewal, and I told them no and that they should be ashamed of themselves. I'm now around 125 (which is still too underweight...but, I still have lasting effects of watching my food...). I say let your daughter do it until she starts getting to that critical time in the teenage years. And NEVER let her do runway.

I never modeled, but I was a child actress up until about age 13. I decided to put my acting career on hold so that I could concentrate on school and getting a good education. Working in hollywood was such an amazing experience and if your daughter has the passion at such a young age then you should go for it. Yes- there is rejection- but it made me a stronger person for life. Also- acting taught me how to speak in front of people and feel confident giving speeches, impromtu toasts, etc. The benefits are endless. Like the above girls said- you just have to keep her grounded, and I promise you her peers will probably help with that. I was ridiculed horribly in middle school because I would have to miss class all the time and school dances to go to auditions and be on set... but looking back- my life couldnt have been better. The rule in my family was.. the second my grades went down or I started having an attitude- it was over and I would have to stop.

I would suggest getting headshots first (this is for acting.. i believe the system is different for models). My headshots ran between 600-800 because we went to a top LA photographer. Agents need to see something before they take on a client. The only things you should pay for are PHOTOS. The agent will take 10% of every paycheck your daughter earns so they should not get ANY money upfront.

good luck!