Pageant News Bureau

Modeling can take a girl a long way, but only if she gets work and exposure. That's why the Venus Swimwear International Model Search is such a popular event among beautiful, ambitious women. It's so popular that people are buzzing about plans to change it.

To separate fact from rumor, PNB sent Patrick Nathaniel Bartholomew to interview Venus President Daryle Scott and find out what's really happening. The news is good. Read on.

PNB: Daryle, we at PNB have always enjoyed covering the Venus Swimwear International Model Search. Can you tell us a bit about the event's history and its goals?

DS: Every year for over 14 years, Venus Swimwear has been searching for its next catalogue superstar via the model search. The event we use to discover these lovely ladies has grown and evolved over the years, but two things have remained constant. Venus has always attracted some of the most beautiful and talented women in the world, and many of them have had their careers jump-started after participating in a Venus Swimwear event.

PNB: We understand that Venus Swimwear has decided to make several changes in the model search. What exactly are those changes?

DS: By reducing the cost of conducting a local event, eliminating a majority of the paperwork and making the event available to organizations outside the hospitality industry, Venus has increased the number of local events being held and eliminated the deadline for completing them. So far this year, sites are signing up to host Venus events at a faster rate than ever. There are still more on the way. In the past, by competing in nightclubs, all of which had to finish up their preliminaries by the end of August, local winners had a chance to spend a week in Florida in September. With the new format, there will be more than one "On Location Venus Photo Shoot" that winners of local events can choose to participate in.

PNB: What is a photo shoot like?

DS: The women will meet other professionals, have their photos taken by professional photographers who shoot for Venus Swimwear, be provided assistance with hair and makeup by artists who work with Venus Swimwear and have the opportunity to participate in workshops conducted by seasoned industry professionals. These ladies will benefit from more personal attention aimed at springboarding their careers, without the stress and worry that comes with competing in a rehearsed final.

PNB: When will the first photo shoot take place?

DS: In 2002, the first Venus Photo Shoot has been scheduled for Aug. 17-20. During that time, the winners of local contests will participate in workshops on modeling, hair and makeup, photography, health and fitness. They will also have some fun "time out" at local area hot spots. Over a two-day period, the photographers will shoot the women for later review by Venus staff who will decide how many will be hired to work a Venus catalogue shoot. Each of them will receive pictures for their portfolios. In addition, representatives from sponsor companies will be available to speak to the women and view their books. Many of the sponsoring companies will be awarding modeling contracts. Venus has always referred to its event as a "job fair," and this year is no different.

PNB: Where will the first shoot be held?

DS: The first will be in Ponte Verde Beach, Fla. The Sawgrass Marriott Resort, internationally known as the home of The Players Championship, couldn't be a better place to be our home base. We will be shooting there and at additional locations on the beach, which is just a short shuttle ride away.

PNB: Where can a woman receive more information on the location of the host venues throughout the world and the dates for the local competitions?

DS: For the past six years, we have had a very popular Web presence at www.VenusModelSearch.com, where everyone can review what's happening. We have a listing of local events detailing location and address, contact names, phone numbers and dates that each event is scheduled for. The rules, regulations and biographical information forms can all be downloaded from the Web site and filled out without hassles before arrival at the location. If they have questions, they can e-mail info@VenusModelSearch.com or fill out an "online information request" form to be added to the database we maintain. When local venues sign up to conduct an event, they receive a listing of all interested potential contestants in their area.

Also see PNB's profiles of Venus stars.

Venus shootsfor the stars

Venus shoots
for the stars