A model's journey to the catwalk

“This is nothing like last year. It’s not hectic, there’s no yelling, it’s weirdly calm,” said one of the girls doing hair and makeup.

“Calm?” I think. Nothing about this is calm, at least not for me.

Backstage isn’t what I expected. It’s not actually behind the stage, rather there is a set of stairs that leads to a room directly underneath the stage. This is where the real show is.

Many of the models and event coordinators have been in the room since 1 p.m. After all, it takes time to prepare more than 30 people for a show. We can’t all be Beyoncé and just wake up like this.

Makeup is sprawled across the tables and every outlet either has a phone or a hair tool plugged into it. As soon as one girl gets out of a chair, another girl is quick to appear. The makeup artists’ faces are concentrated as they erase blemishes, make eyes sparkle and lips pop. They know that in order for the models to feel the part, they have to look the part.

Ten minutes before 7 p.m. and we all know that the show won’t start in time.

“Do you have any extra bobby pins?” “Can you help me fix my eyeliner?” “Wait, what scenes am I in?”

At 7:30 p.m. the looks get finishing touches and the models line up. Right before we are supposed to go on, everybody holds hands for a quick prayer. With that, the show begins.

Behind the curtains, it’s so dark you can hardly see the person in front of you and the fog machine makes the air slightly acidic. Despite this, the models’ energy is palpable. After hours of practice and fixing mistakes, the moment has finally come. All I’m thinking is, “I really hope I’m not the person who trips, stumbles or falls off of the stage.”

As soon as the spotlight hits me and I hear the click of the hardwood underneath my heels, I am overwhelmed by a feeling of confidence. I strut down the runway and savor my time in the spotlight, because right now all eyes really are on me.