From small town to big city, one Marshall student has been modeling for Images Model Management in New York City while taking online courses and trying to juggle a distant social life.
Emily Carrico, 19, an undecided major, has been living in New York for about three months.
Carol Carrico, Emily Carrico's mother and the journalism, yearbooks and communications teacher at Cabell Midland High School, said it has been difficult with her daughter being gone.
"I've missed her terribly," Carol Carrico said. "She's very animated, so it's been quiet around the house."
Carol Carrico said she wants her daughter to be successful and happy while modeling.
A Parthenon reporter met with Emily Carrico in the Marshall Student Center on Wednesday.
Q: What classes are you taking?
A: Just some study skills classes. I want to see how it goes with modeling.
Q: How did you get started modeling?
A: Well, in eighth grade, my mom signed me up for a mall competition. I won that and I went to Miami. That was how it got started.
Q: How do you like New York?
A: I love it. It's so much fun.
Q: Have you been living in New York the whole time you've been a Marshall student?
A: No. I just moved in July.
Q: How has it been balancing modeling with school?
A: It's really hard. I have castings through the week and other jobs. It's hard having modeling, a social life and school.
Q: What other jobs do you have other than modeling jobs?
A: I worked at Abercrombie and Fitch, but it's really hard to have another job. I just work whenever I can. They are really good about it.
Q: What magazines or publications have you been featured in?
A: Well, I'm in Cosmopolitan this month, and the December and January issues. I did some work with DKNY lingerie, some Ruby's Costume Company. I've done a lot of romance novel covers. I did a prom magazine and bridesmaid magazine.
Q: Do you come back to Huntington often?
A: This is my first time back in three months. Flights are just really expensive from New York to Huntington. It's like $700 for round trip, so I take the train in. It's $130 round trip. For the next three months, I'll be coming in at the end of the month for the holidays and stuff.
Q: What drives you or keeps you going with everything going on in your life?
A: My mom's behind me 100 percent. This has been my dream for a long time.
Q: What do you do in your spare time?
A: Um, I sleep. Sleep is good. My friends and I go out sometimes. There are a few places we can go, but that's about it.
Q: What is a typical day like for you?
A: In the mornings, I get up around 8, 8:30. I get ready and get all my stuff together. I have to pack a backpack every day with my portfolio, a pair of heels, my voucher's book, and anything else I need. I will have between two and seven castings a day, and they're all over New York, or I have a job. I have to come prepared for whatever. My day finishes around 6 or 7. Then I can eat. I usually miss lunch.
Q: Is there some way you like to wind down once your day is over?
A: I do on the subway. I read. I have been reading lately, but I usually just come home and crash.
Q: What book are you reading right now?
A: The Memory Keeper's Daughter (by Kim Edwards.)
Q: What has been the most exciting or interesting photo shoot you have been in?
A: Cosmopolitan. That was my first shoot, my first job while I was there. I cried when I got it, and the people from my agency were like "It's not that big of a deal." But I'm a small town girl, you know. I think it was a big deal to me because it made me realize that this is actually happening.
Q: Is there anything or anyone you really miss when you are in New York?
A: I miss my sister, Katie. We didn't get along when we were younger, but I miss her a lot. I miss my friends, but not as much as my family. I am a big daddy's girl, and I talk to my mom like, seven times a day.
Q: What do you order at Starbucks?
A: Oh, a chai tea latte or a pumpkin spice frappuccino. I love pumpkin spice.
Q: What's on your iPod?
A: Um, John Mayer is my number one. I met him. Matt Nathanson. That's my kind of music.
Q: What kind of cell phone do you have?
A: A Palm Centro for the e-mail. That's how I get my castings and everything. I have to have the e-mail.
Q: What is your favorite restaurant in New York?
A: Goodburger. It's so good.
Q: In West Virginia?
A: Chili's. There isn't one in New York.
Q: What is one thing you have to have with you at all times?
A: Um, my cell phone. It's sick. If my phone died, oh, the battery went dead one day and I wanted to like, murder myself.
Q: Have you met any celebrities besides John Mayer while living in the city?
A: I met LL Cool J. He had a CD launch party and we got to go. I met the Olsen twins. I met the Pickup Artist from MTV. He didn't pick me up. One of the guys from "I Love New York." They are filming "The Real World" in Brooklyn and I met on of the guys. He and I are pretty good friends.
Q: Who is someone you want to meet and why?
A: Oh, I hate to say this, but Tyra Banks. Not only has she modeled, she has gone so much further. And she's not a stick figure or a size zero, and she's proud of that. I'm not a size two and I never will be. I like the way I am. She goes against the rumors.
Q: What is your favorite TV show?
A: "CSI: Miami" and "CSI: Las Vegas." I watch those a lot. That's what I'm being for Halloween, the girl from "Miami."
Q: If you could describe yourself in three words, what would they be?
A: Oh lordy may. Um, casual. That's a good question. Free-spirited and determined.
Kayla Queen can be contacted at quen53@marshall.edu.
Be the first to comment on this article!