Jenny AluningIt was chance and the constant pushes from family to get into modeling. On her birthday the year before, Marlee Pegoraro (StarCentral Magazine’s Female Model of the Month for June 2014) tried a friend’s suggestion to make a profile on a talent website. She did make that profile and from that point on she took on modeling work and found herself enjoying herself. In a short time agencies and companies came knocking, wanting her in their campaigns. Her portfolio kept on building from there.
The thrill of getting selected is always a big boost for the 21-year old basketballer. This, and the feeling she gets when receiving the final, glossy images from her photo shoot, keep things fresh for Marlee. Being a model’s model, these photo shoots are both exciting and positive for her – she likes all aspects of the process: the make-up, the different roles she is given (no one photo shoot the same), and the good experiences in camaraderie and creative interaction.
Being a model also requires Marlee to be a bit tough mentally as the judgment of people in social media can be very negative and harmful. Sometimes it upsets her that most of them don’t realize that, like any other job, modeling gives her the satisfaction of a job well done when a certain shot goes right or a job is finished well. They don’t understand how modeling is tricky and requires a lot of good, hard thinking – as when Marlee must turn “pretty” into a “product.”
Among many memorable experiences, there is one that sticks out. The half Italian-half Australian beauty loved following a certain photographer on Facebook even before she considered becoming a model. One of her goals was to save up and get fit, do the right things to a great portfolio shoot with her idol. One day, her boyfriend surprised her with a card he got the photographer to personally send her. It was an invitation for Marlee to do a shoot with her, with everything paid for.
Marlee shows herself to be a natural in the business. Every shoot – with all the bright lights, difficult poses and professional pressure to achieve – to her is a positive experience, a reason to feel right about life. She loves all the photographers, make-up artists, hair stylists, other models, hosts, company owners and television crews like family. They have provided her with great tools to continue in her dream, as well the most interesting insider stories.
Modeling doesn’t mix well with certain friendships, Melbourne-based Marlee has found out. Sometimes the high motivation factor tends to exclude certain individuals – modeling is hard work and needs a bit of concentration and focus. She stays grounded because she has taken a sportswoman’s attitude (she had a budding career in basketball) into the business. She remembers how she was a chubby kid. There are also reasons she keeps closed and private. Her family thought modeling wouldn’t be her career path, with its potential dangers and the public exposure, but were gladly surprised and eventually became very supportive when Marlee took to it like the proverbial duck to water. She plans to finish her studies (she has a Certificate in Event and Wedding Planning and is currently finishing her Certificate III in Fitness) and work towards a career that uses modeling fitness, health and nutrition for young women. This already successful model of several years has long term plans and lots of things to achieve still.
“LIGHTNING FAST” Round:
1. Last good movie I’ve seen
Last movie that I saw at the cinemas that I thought was really well put together and very funny was ‘The Other Women’.
2. What do you consider beautiful and why?
I think when you can’t explain what makes something or someone beautiful because you are too overwhelmed to even try and start with a reason. That’s beauty.
3. What haven’t you done yet that you wish you could?
Travel just to see a pod of orca whales (killer whales) in the wild.
4. Complete this sentence: “If I had no fear, I’d…”
…be covered in tattoos. Unfortunately I am scared it would hurt and I know it’s not a smart move with the direction of my model career.
5. What is the one “flaw” you wouldn’t change about yourself?
I overthink a lot! Sometimes it can be a good thing but it also can be bad making me stress out.
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/marleepmodel
Official website: http://www.marleepegoraro.com/
StarNow profile: http://www.starnow.com/marleepegorao
Jenny Aluning
rhoda
Bella
Jason Harris
