Sean Faris booked the lead in a new film!

IMTA 1999 Junior Male Model of the Year Sean Faris has booked the lead in an independent film, Brooklyn to Manhattan. It sounds like a great plot; IMDB states, "Four people run for their lives in the Brooklyn subway tunnels after a botched drug deal." Sean will play Logan in the thriller set for release in 2008.

Faris competed at IMTA in 1999 where he won Junior Male Model of the Year. He started modeling immediately and was featured in several memorable campaigns, including Abercrombie & Fitch and Armani. Faris successfully transitioned into acting and starred on television in the cult classics Life as We Know It and Reunion. He also starred in the feature films Sleepover (with two other IMTA alums, Kallie Childress and Mika Boorem) and Yours, Mine and Ours (with IMTA alum Mateo Arias). His next feature film release Forever Strong has wrapped and is tentatively scheduled for release in 2007.

IMTA trivia: Sean is also friends with another IMTA alum, Eva Longoria. Here's a photo of them together at the 7th Annual Young Hollywood Awards in 2005.

IMTA stars shine at the Academy Awards!

The 79th Annual Academy Awards aired tonight live on ABC and IMTA alumni were glittering with hottest celebs in the business! During the pre-show, Jessica Biel's arrival on the red carpet was featured and Eva Longoria's newest commercial for L'Oreal debuted!

Jessica Biel presented the Best Achievement in Sound Editing Award and it was won by Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest! Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest has two IMTA alumni actors in the film, Americus Abesamis and Neil Panlasigui. Americus was featured as a Native Throne Guard next to Capt. Jack Sparrow (played by Johnny Depp). Americus Abesamis is an IMTA Alumni of 1999 and 2000. Neil played the native child who meets Sparrow trying to escape. This was Jessica Biel's first time presenting an award at the Academy Awards and she was stunningly beautiful and poised in a pink Oscar de la Renta gown.

IMTA alum Elijah Wood's film Happy Feet won Best Animated Feature Film. Elijah voiced the main character Mumble in the hit film.



IMTA Oscar Flashbacks: Last year's Best Picture Winner was written by longtime IMTA friend Bobby Moresco, who won Best Original Screenplay with Paul Haggis for Crash. IMTA alum Elijah Wood's film The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King won the 2003 Best Picture Award (presented in 2004).

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Jessica White in Sports Illustrated!

IMTA alum and Supermodel Jessica White appears in the wildly popular Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. Jessica White has been featured for four years now of Sports Illustrated! In 2005, she became the first African-American model to appear in three consecutive editions of the annual feature. This year she shot on location in Los Angeles with photographer Anne Menke. She was also chosen for a special feature "Models and Musicians" and was photographed with rock stars Gnarls Barkley.

The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue is well-known for showcasing the most elite working models in the world. Jessica appreciates the honor it is to be a part of it. She says, "I've always wanted to do Sports Illustrated because it has made superstars out of all these girls and just to have this opportunity is amazing."

Jessica attended the New York 1999 IMTA Convention when she was 14 and has since been featured on international magazine covers and in numerous advertising campaigns and editorial layouts.

Check out Jessica's shots online and on newstands now!

Over $125,000.00 Awarded in Educational Scholarships at IMTA at Los Angeles 2007

Many beautiful and talented people from throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, Mexico and Canada
gathered in Los Angeles at the semi-annual International Modeling and Talent Association 2007 Los Angeles Convention. IMTA is an organization comprised of leading modeling/talent training centers and agencies engaged in the professional promotion of the fashion and talent industry.

More than 350 top fashion and talent agents, casting directors and industry professionals participated as judges and scouts in the action-packed international event. The contestants - men, women and children - competed in Runway, Fashion Print, Swimwear, Cold Reads, Soaps and Sitcoms, TV Commercials, Monologues, Singing and Dancing. They also took part in the many educational workshops and seminars presented by industry experts. Top agents from the USA, Milan, Paris, London, Hamburg, Munich, and Tokyo were present and searching for new stars.

The exciting week culminated with the Awards Night Celebration where over $125,000.00 in scholarships was presented for outstanding performances. These scholarships were awarded by top performing arts and educational facilities in the United States: The New York Film Academy, School for Film and Television, The Acting Intensive, Beverly Long Studios, Adam Hill Actors Studios, Hines & Hunt Entertainment, The Young Actors Space, Addison Witt, Cassiopeia Productions and Stage Door Manor. A number of today’s top models and actors who attended IMTA continued their education by taking advantage of these scholarships and the opportunities they offered.

Many past Scholarship winners have joined the ranks of IMTA Cover Models who are working in Paris, Milan, London and New York, who have graced the covers of Vogue, Cosmopolitan, Men’s Health, Elle, In Style, Interview, Seventeen, GQ, Sports Illustrated, Teen...and IMTA actors who have appeared in Brothers & Sisters, Medium, Ghost Whisperer, CSI, New York, ER, Entourage, Shark, Hannah Montana, Desire, Days Of Our Lives, As The World Turns, The Young & The Restless, One Life To Live, 29 Down, Law & Order, Cold Case, The Bold & the Beautiful, MTV@s Dirt Squirrel, Las Vegas and Desperate Housewives, as well as in Feature Films that include Bobby, Happy Feet, Turistas, Running with Scissors, The Guardian, Open Season, The Illusionist, Superman Returns, Music & Lyrics By and many more.

IMTA states: This is the week top international agencies gather to scout at our convention for new faces. Contracts are signed, Educational Scholarships are awarded and new careers are launched for many of the IMTA Contestants. Nothing compares to an IMTA experience...there is no other event of this magnitude!






Rashida Morris
School for Film & Television scholarship winner from John
Robert Powers - Southfield, Southfield, MI




Taylor Price
New York Film Academy scholarship winner from AIM-Caryn
International, Minneapolis, MN

IMTA L.A. 2007 Winners!

Presenting the Model of the Year and Talent of the Year Winners from the IMTA 2007 Los Angeles Convention:

MALE CHILD ACTOR - Joshua Miller
Kim Flowers Model & Talent, Reno, NV




FEMALE CHILD ACTOR – Kaitlin Foster
Santa Clarita Performing Arts, Newhall, CA




PRE-TEEN ACTOR – Riley Hutchings
Kim Flowers Model & Talent, Reno, NV




YOUNG MISS ACTOR – Victoria Goins
Bravo Talent, Houston, TX




FEMALE CHILD MODEL – Wendi Motte
Bravo Talent, Houston, TX




MALE CHILD MODEL – Demetrius Marshall
Take Two Talent, Folsom, CA




PRE-TEEN MODEL – Zachary Jackson
Ain’t It Good Productions, Coeur d’Alene, ID




YOUNG MISS MODEL – Dessaray Loomis
Barbizon, Los Angeles, CA




JUNIOR MISS ACTOR – Olivia Casey
Kim Flowers Model & Talent, Las Vegas, NV




MALE JUNIOR ACTOR – Jake Parker
John Robert Powers, Boston, MA




FEMALE JUNIOR ACTOR – Meghan Brown
Barbizon – Galaxy, Atlanta, GA




MALE ACTOR – Johnny Soto
Barbizon - Hott, Fresno, CA




FEMALE ACTOR – Grace Thorsen
IMD, Medford, OR




MALE FITNESS MODEL – Nicholas Menaquale
Barbizon – Chique, Ardmore, PA




FEMALE FITNESS MODEL – Kaitlyn Barron
Barbizon – JMT, Birmingham, AL




JUNIOR MISS MODEL – Mariah Watchman
IMD, Bend, OR




MALE JUNIOR MODEL – Taylor Simpson
IMD, Medford, OR




FEMALE JUNIOR MODEL – Michelle Paige
Barbizon – Chique, Ardmore, PA




MOST SOUGHT MALE – Alex Pederson
Premiere Models, Salt Lake City, UT




MOST SOUGHT FEMALE – Mariah Watchman
IMD, Bend, OR




MALE YOUNG ADULT ACTOR – Peter Kraus
The Rock Agency, Madison, WI




FEMALE YOUNG ADULT ACTOR – Rashida Morris
John Robert Powers, Southfield, MI




MALE MODEL – Peter Kraus
The Rock Agency, Madison, WI




FEMALE MODEL – Jacqueline Voegtlin
Barbizon – Chique, Ardmore, PA

Haley Bennett in Music and Lyrics opening today!

IMTA alum Haley Bennett makes her feature film debut in the Warner Bros. Valentine's Day event movie Music and Lyrics. Haley plays the reigning diva Cora Corman who invites Hugh Grant's character, a musician in need of a comeback, to write and record a duet with her. Drew Barrymore stars as the friend who helps him try to come up with a hit in a matter of days!

Haley competed at the 2001 IMTA Convention where she met her agents Mara Santino and Ryan Daly of Kazarian/Spencer & Associates. Here's what Haley had to say about her IMTA experience:

“I definitely would have not been at this point and had this much background and confidence. If it were not for my IMTA experience years ago. The training and interest was essential for the beginning stages of the construction for the backbone of my career and future.” –Haley Bennett

Happy Valentine's Day!

Look for Haley Bennett in Music and Lyrics opening in wide-release today!

UPDATE: The reviews are raves! Haley is a hit!

The Houston Chronicle calls her hilarious!

CNN says she has a confident film debut!

"Nicely played," says the Star Tribune!

"Subtly comic," says USA Today!

Sean Harju sweeps New York Fashion Week!!!

Model Sean Harju and former IMTA 1st Runner Up for Model of the Year booked an amazing nine shows during New York Fashion Week! He appeared in:

JOHN BARTLETT

PATRIK RZEPSKI

DUCKIE BROWN

DKNY

ZEGNA

JOHN VARVATOS

KIM JONES

Y3- YOHJI YAMAMMOTO

TIM HAMILTON – PRESENTATION

As well as the exclusive Calvin Klein Milan show! Sean attended IMTA a little over a year ago and won Male Model of The Year! He signed with Major Model Management and has worked for fashion houses such as Dolce & Gabbana, Calvin Klein, Karl Lagerfeld, Donatella Versace, and Narciso Rodriguez. Sean was featured, solo, in a 6-page layout in the May 2006 issue of GQ Magazine. He then appeared on NBC's Today Show in a GQ fashion segment. To read an article about Sean's success, click here.

Keri Lynn Pratt on Crossing Jordan

IMTA alum Keri Lynn Pratt is guest starring on Crossing Jordan. The episode is called "In Sickness and In Health" and is set to air in the 7th season of the popular television show. Keri plays Lisa Price.

Keri Lynn Pratt competed at the 1996 IMTA Convention where she met and signed with the same manager who started Katie Holmes’ career. Since then, she has appeared in nine feature films, including America’s Sweethearts with Julia Roberts.

Preview IMTA alum Katie Holmes on the cover of Bazaar!

IMTA alum Katie Holmes is looking gorgeous on the cover of the March 2007 issue of Harper's Bazaar! In the article, she talks about motherhood, her career and her happiness in life! A photo update coming soon on the blog with more from this great photoshoot.

Katie competed at IMTA in 1993 and 1995. She met her first manager Al Onorato during an IMTA workshop. She went up to do her monologue (an excerpt from To Kill a Mockingbird) and Al gave her a suggestion. She started again and he was amazed at how well she could take direction and vary her subtle delivery. He kept an eye on her throughout her competitions and even arranged for her to shoot a screen test for a pilot during the IMTA week. In fact, her first screen test was shot by David Cardwell (DNA CREATIVE SERVICES) of the IMTA Video Crew! Katie was cast as Joey Potter in the beloved WB series Dawson's Creek. She is also an accomplished feature film actress starring in many critically acclaimed films and box office hits.

After Katie found fame on Dawson's Creek, she took the time to write IMTA a thank-you letter. She wrote, "On July 23, 1995 my life changed. This particular Sunday, evening, I found myself in the New York Hilton for the International Modeling and Talent Association convention. I was sitting in one of the ballrooms reciting a monologue in front of about 50 other contestants, as well as Al Onorato, David Guillod and Bobby Moresco, the men who were conducting this seminar on "Prepare to Compete". After I had finished, Al and Bobby offered some direction and had me alter it a little. I used my nervous anxiety to help me become more intense and, following my second performance, I felt elated. It was clear to me that something very special occurred in that ballroom that evening.

About six months later, I found myself in the Los Angeles office of Al Onorato, rehearsing an audition piece for the Ang Lee, film The Ice Storm. David, Al and Bobby had become my business managers following that memorable convention and encouraged me to audition in Los Angeles during the 6-week pilot season. Instead of viewing Hollywood on my T.V., I was there. Being in that untouchable world, experiencing the life of a beginning actress, was surreal. Suddenly this strange path of life seemed so normal. I love it."

To read the entire letter Katie sent, please visit an archived page from 1998! Katie is not only one of Hollywood's most beautiful and talented stars, but also one of the sweetest!

Hayley Bennett featured in AP Magazine!

Hayley Bennett is featured in the current issue of AP Magazine! In a gorgeous photo and accompanying article, Hayley is promoting her upcoming film Music and Lyrics. Hayley plays a pop singer who is to perform the song being written by Hugh Grant and Drew Barrymore's characters.

Hayley Bennett has also signed on to star in two more pictures for Warner Bros. Entertainment after wrapping Music and Lyrics. Hayley attended the 2001 IMTA Convention with Pro Models and Talent in Akron, Ohio. At IMTA, she met and signed with her agents, Mara Santino and Ryan Daly with Kazarian Spencer & Associates.

The article in AP magazine says
"When Hayley Bennett and her mom moved cross-country to Los Angeles almost two years ago to focus on aspiring starlet's music career, they didn't expect Bennett's big break would involve Hugh Grant and 16 back up dancers. Soon after arriving in tinsel town, she acquired an agent and began taking classes. A few auditions later and poof!- the fresh faced 18 year old was staring at a huge role in a feature film. But Bennett doesn't necessarily consider herself a full-fledged actress yet. The unsigned artist has her eye on singer/songwriter stardom and hopes her role in this month's Music and Lyrics will pique the interests of some record labels. "

You can read more about Hayley on her myspace page.