Laila and Mya for Carter's
A couple months ago I took my son to a casting call for Toys R Us. Usually the open calls are a little crazy so I was ready for the crowds, the crying, the madness and the mayhem...but this time it was different. Not only were just a handful of people present at the time we arrived, but I saw another Mocha family - a mom, dad, a boy and twin girls.
One of the little girls walked over and waved at my son, and he quickly waved back. The girls were so personable and cute, it was hard not to notice them. After the casting I ran into the family loading up the car and decided to introduce myself and find out a little more about their experience in the modeling industry.
Meet the "Momager"
Lisha is a super Mocha mother of 5. She has Breanna -20, Kyle-16, Timothy 3, and the twins Laila and Mya who are 1 year old. She is a stay-at-home mother (SAHM) and is responsible for managing the careers of her budding models. Her son Timothy, who was also at the Toys R Us casting, sometimes tags along for castings but the twins are the breakout stars of the family.
Lisha, with her husband, the twins and Sherri Sheppard on the set of "Sherri".
The Big Break
So how did the twins get their start in modeling? Fate! Or as Lisha puts it - they "fell" in to the industry. After Lisha joined a mothering group for multiples, a member of the group forwarded a picture of the twins to her sister who happened to be an agent. The chance meeting led to the twins being cast on "Sherri" - the Lifetime show based on the life of comedienne and "The View" co-host Sherri Shepard.
On set with Gloria Gaynor
Agency Action
After working on the Sherri show, the twins booked a Euflexxa pharmaceutical spot with "I Will Survive" singer Gloria Gaynor. Someone suggested that Lisha submit photos of Mya and Laila to Product Model Management and shortly thereafter they were signed to the agency.
Since then, they have been very busy! Some of their recent gigs have included jobs for Babies R Us, Toys R Us, Carters and Joe Fresh . They have even caught the attention of the Abrams Artists Agency who is also interested in representing the girls. It seems like they are on a roll!
Mya for Carter's
Getting Gigs
Though the family resides in Connecticut, all of the work the twins have booked has been in NY and NJ. Since Lisha is a SAHM she has a flexible schedule and is able to take the girls to castings and jobs during the day and usually with little notice.
Laila for Carter's
What's Next?
I asked Lisha what she thought of the industry and she said that she and her girls have really been enjoying themselves. She has met great people and is hoping to get some commercials and movies for the girls as time goes on.
Lisha's Advice:
- Always be friendly and talk to the directors, producers, and other mothers when you are on set with the kids - you can get valuable information leads, and referrals.
- A flexible schedule is key. All go-sees are are in the day so someone has to be ready - sometimes at a moments notice - to take your child to be seen.
- With twins or other multiples - clients often book both kids but sometime they only use one. The good thing is BOTH babies get paid!
Mya for Babies R Us
Thanks to Lisha and her beautiful twins Laila and Mya for their story. I look forward to seeing them in magazines, movies and commercials really soon! Best of luck to you!
Resources: Agency: Product Model Management Agency: Abrams Artists Agency
Know a Mocha baby in the biz that should be featured on Mocha Baby Models? Let me know at MochaBabyModels@gmail.com.
