Scratch the Surface

I was an avid reader of Seventeen magazine back in the late 70s/early 80s when these women were modeling for that magazine. The fist copy of the magazine that I ever bought was the back-to-school issue which one of the Fitzpatrick twins mentions was her first cover. I bought the magazine during a summer vacation and spent the whole ride home in the car poring over the new fall outfits. I remember some of them in detail to this day.

And, yes, I do remember Whitney Houston's modeling career. In fact, I had an article on exercise that I tore out of the magazine and saved. A few years later when Ms. Houston burst onto the music scene, I happened across the magazine article and recognized immediately.

My senior year of high school, I saw "Fast Times at Ridgemont High," Yes, of course that movie became known as one that gave many future stars their first break -- Sean Penn, Forrest Whitaker, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Anthony Edwards and more -- but at the only face that I recognized at the time was that of Phoebe Cates.

To me, this documentary is a kind of high school reunion. I recognized each and every one of these former teen models. Some became successful in show business. Some are now contented wives and mothers. Being able to remember the fresh, beautiful teen Whitney Houston once was makes her current plight all the more sad for me. I was happy to spend time in their company once again.

Are models really stupid? Well, after watching this film, I'd have to say, "almost always." Being beautiful does not preclude one from possessing intelligence, nor opening a book. I learned more "truths" from Eileen Ford and John Casablancas than anyone else. If you were a reader of "Seventeen" magazine, which I wasn't, then you can see what time has wrought. Only a couple of the models were truly beautiful- the rest had the necessary "blank faces" upon which skillful makeup application produces wonders. The gossip-y "bad stuff" in modeling always happened to other people, and they were always far, far away... Very few comments of the former models could be even remotely viewed as insightful. In fact, they were all pretty vapid (including Brooke Shields- and what a surprise). By the way- can anyone recall Whitney Houston's modeling career?

I found the interviews interesting, insightful and meaningful. I enjoyed hearing about these women by which so many of us judge our exteriors. I was not familiar with them from Seventeen Magazine, but I have had concerns about the influence that such publications have on the self-image of young girls. It was refreshing to hear these models comment on what real beauty is and their real priorities in life. I wish this film were shown to all 6th grade girls. It might help them in a small way to navigate the coming years of self-doubt that so many of them struggle with.

Alice Clearman, Ph.D. Clinical Psychology