Can I be a male model?

Aspiring Male Model Living in Africa-Can I become a model in the US or Europe?

• Hello. I'm going through so many issues right now in my life and really need support and also some advice. I'm in my early 30s and ever since I was a young boy, I dreamed of being an actor and model in the US and Europe. I'm originally from Central Africa and grew up watching a lot of American movies and TV series that undoubtedly created this strong passion I have in me for the entertainment industry. I did my undergraduate and graduate university education in the US and while there, I decided to pursue my dream of getting into modeling and acting. I endured through the hundreds upon hundreds of rejection e-mails and letters from big name agencies, but also got quite some interest from some agencies in smaller markets like Pennsylvania. The unfortunate thing was that because I came to the US under a student visa, finding an agent/agency willing to consider sponsoring me-especially in the aftermath of 9/11, was extremely impossible. Right now I'm in my country working at a job in the communications/PR field. My heart is still in my original dreams and I'm just hanging in there at my current job which is very stressful because I need a steady source of income, since I couldn't get a job in the US after graduating either-because I was there as a student. The additional problem that makes it even more complicated is that my parents don't believe in my dreams and have never been hot about the idea of me settling in the US or Europe, even though as an adult, I have the right to choose where I want to be and what career path I want to pursue. They seem to be hoping that my dreams will fade away with time and right now, given the difficult environment and culture I find myself in and the very limited opportunities available in the entertainment industry here-I find myself unfortunately feeling confined within an office, restricted to performing administrative tasks...whereas the greater part of me desires to perform and express itself artistically. I know that my happiness is the most important thing and I can't sacrifice my own happiness to please other people. Submitting to modeling agencies in Europe and the US from here is even more difficult and complicated. With all the concerns regarding issuing visas to people, a lot of agencies are quick to pass on me upon realizing that I live in Africa. And as an African male, it's an even greater challenge for me to achieve my dream. But I'm not willing to give up. My main question therefore is, although all may seem lost right now, does anyone believe I could still perhaps find an agency willing to consider representing me internationally although I live in Africa? Very few model scouts travel to Africa to look for potential models.

• Answer:

  If that's what you want to do, don't give up just keep trying! anythings possible.