Model: A Memoir
“There are 6.5 billion people on this planet. Sixteen of them are supermodels.”
At some point in a girl’s life, she wants to be a model. When you think model, you think: perfect body, gorgeous appearance, rich and famous. The truth is most models only have one of those things. If you think the modeling industry is easy or filled with brainless girls who are just pretty faces, you’re wrong. Most “primary” agencies are only found in New York City and have extremely hard-to-meet requirements that can range from being 5’9” or taller and wearing a size double zero or even just a specific length and color of your hair.

The author, Cheryl Diamond, writes about her own experience in modeling and how her career started in The Big Apple. She takes you behind the scenes of a typical runway where models shoot heroine between their toes so marks don’t show up in their shoes, and others are in the bathroom vomiting up the only meal they’ve had in days. Model: A Memoir showcases the good sides and bad sides in modeling along with Cheryl Diamond’s opinions and experiences in the business.

I would say this book is a good read for those interested in modeling. Cheryl does a great job describing her encounters with eccentric photographers, evil businessmen, and crazy makeup artists. Although this book was most enjoyable, it lacked a plot and main message to the reader. Somewhere in the middle of the book the author lost touch of where her story was leading, and it got a tad bit boring. Model: A Memoir was a good read and I would rate it 3 out of 5 stars. ( )

Reviewed by Lynn Crow for TeensReadToo.com

Cheryl Diamond's memoir, MODEL, offers readers a rare glimpse inside the modeling industry. In her teens, Diamond got a contract with an agency and moved out on her own to pursue a career in modeling. With her striking looks and natural blonde hair, she caught the attention of top designers and talent seekers, getting hired for photoshoots and runway shows most beginning models only dream of.

As glamorous as that sounds, Diamond isn't afraid to reveal the less appealing side of modeling. From the two days she spent without a home while waiting for her first payment, to the bullying agency managers and clients and the illicit activities her fellow models get caught up in, she makes it clear there's a lot more to modeling than standing in front of the camera. But Diamond was able to stay true to herself despite fears and temptations, and ultimately the story is one of survival and hope.

Anyone even a little curious about the modeling industry will find MODEL hard to put down. With Diamond's wry and humorous tone and her many exploits, it's as entertaining as it is informative. There's also much to admire in the fact that she managed to avoid the drug use, health issues, and nasty relationships that many of her co-workers fell victim to. A great voice, a great story, and a great message -- it all adds up to a great book. ( )

Cheryl Diamond is 14, she wants to become a model. Shes pretty enough, actually, shes a little to pretty for some model agencies. She gets turned away because shes just a little to young, not enough experienced, and a little bit to short. However, when she comes to one certain agency, they love her. No matter that shes a few inches to short, she'll grow eventually. Everything is going wonderfully for her with this agency, they are treating her perfectly, they love her, she likes them. However, soon there agency has to close and shes back at square one. Cheryl waits until shes older, 16, and starts trying to find an agency again. She signs with one, and finds how much unfriendly they are compared to her former agency. Cheryl is rising to the top, and getting there faster than most. Her life is going good, until she signs with to do a fashion show, and a terrible thing happens to her and her job is ruined for the time. Will she be able to rise back to the top? Will she have to give up her modeling forever? Will her beauty ever be as it used to?

I loved this book. It is all true, and Cheryl has a extremely good writing style. Her writing makes you feel like you are right there with her. Her story is inspiring and teaches a lesson - reach for your dreams and never give up. This book isn't "clique" like you might think, since Cheryl is a lot more realistic than that. This book was wonderful! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

An insider look at the cut throat modeling world. Cheryl entered the modeling biz at the tender age of 14, fortunately for her she was street smart and wise beyond her years. Unfailingly cheerful and an unrepentant smartass, the book is hard to put down. ( )

This was a refreshing book about the modeling industry. Not all models are drug addicts with eating disorders. Cheryl Diamond gives a wonderful account of her experience starting out as a model and how her strength and the support of her parents gave her the confidence to stand up for herself and be who she was. This is an uplifting, amusing, real account of one girls journey to the top. ( )