Customer Reviews

Model: A Memoir

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When she was just fourteen years old, Cheryl Diamond ventured to New York City to become a model. She experienced rejection after rejection until she finally found an agency that would offer her a contract. But then came September 11, and her agency went out of business before she could even land a job.

At sixteen, Cheryl returned to New York, hoping for a second chance. She got it. Now she is faced with the task of building her portfolio and making a name for herself--no small job when the head booker is always giving her a rough time and the manager of her agency is seeking revenge on her for standing up to him and refusing to let him yank her around. But Cheryl is tough and sensible, and if anyone can make it in this ugly modeling business, she can.

And she's making it...until one man lies to her, destroying her image and bringing her career to a screeching halt. Desolate, she's sent home. But she's determined to do what's unheard of in the modeling biz...make her comeback.

Model: A Memoir will leave you shell shocked. Cheryl Diamond is an extraordinary young woman who is role model material for girls everywhere. Without succumbing to the many temptations models are exposed to on a daily basis (eating disorders, drinking, drugs, excessive partying) and without losing a grasp on her values (like refusing to change clothes in front of a roomful of people just to land a job), she has built her career without allowing herself to be bullied. Her novel is a whirlwind of shoots, castings, runway shows, and showdowns with her boss that besides being completely enthralling, are all true. Her writing style has the fast pace that is present in biographies and memoirs, but is as detailed and gripping as any work of fiction. Teens especially will delight in this resilient, strong, and intelligent heroine who is beautiful inside and out, and will eagerly anticipate more from this talented model and writer.

I know some of the people and agencies (even the ones where she has changed the name to protect the guilty) in this book - and she nailed it. Cheryl's description of her agency is very accurate, and even though models with other agencies will have somewhat different experiences (not all fashion agencies are also partly scams), her discussion of what a model is likely to encounter as she enters the world of New York fashion modeling will be recognized by anyone who has tried it.

Throughout the book she maintains a humorous detachment from all this, and the book is entertaining to read, as well as educational.

Every year, hundreds of the most beautiful people in the world come to New York to become models. At age fourteen, Cheryl Diamond was one of them. Living on her own in a run-down apartment, Cheryl spent her days on go-sees, runways, and shoots, surviving hand-to-mouth, while taking in everything she could about the tough and sleazy modeling industry. She watched other girls make mistakes, and swore she wouldn't be a victim...until a career-altering event changed her life and nearly ruined her shot at her dream. This is the riveting, true account of Cheryl's triumphant rise, disastrous fall, and unlikely comeback in one of the hottest and most demanding industries in the world.
I was not sure I would enjoy Model A Memoir, models don't exactly have the reputation of being witty or intelligent. Well, I have to admit that Cheryl's book has changed my mind. It was hilarious, scary, and completely relatable. Even someone like me who has never modeled, and was never really interested in the industry will find it fascinating. Two thumbs up!

I was riveted by this book, which is the memoir of a 16 yr. old girl who becomes a fashion model in NYC. It was a fascinating insider's look at the modeling industry and its effect on young women, as well as a look into the mind of a teenage girl dealing with extraordinary challenges. But in the back of my mind is a tiny voice saying "Is this a memoir like James Frey's memoir--more embellishment than fact?" For example, I just couldn't imagine parents sending their 16 yr. old daughter off totally on her own to NYC for a year, I've never heard of landlords routinely renting to minors, I was surprised that her attorney deemed that a minor's signature on a contract was valid, and I was amazed that an apparent "Mafia" boss took such a personal interest in her and her witty conversation. In the book, Cheryl acts and talks like most teenage girls wish they acted and talked, and perhaps she is capable of all she says. But even if it is all true, I sure wish that Cheryl would have completed at least her GED, since she dropped out of high school to model, because an addendum to this effect would have been an important message to those teenage hopefuls who will snap up this book for guidance, but who need that education in case their modeling careers break into a million little pieces. Still, as I said, I was indeed riveted reading this book and Cheryl is a talented writer, so I hope that she will continue to mature and reflect that maturity in future offerings--which I will no doubt buy.

hello,

i am an international fashion model represented by a MAJOR agency, i bought this book on the way to the airport for an international flight for fashion week. i tend to not read teen memoirs, but this seemed cutesy and fun.
never in my life have i found myself rolling my eyes so much as i did while reading this book. it is not only innacurate portrayal of the REAL modeling world, but this "memoir" was literally an excuse for this young, ignorant little girl to boast of her dazzling looks, and wonderful personality.

i was scouted and shipped to europe at 14, in the real world of modeling there is no time to change in bathrooms and act like a brat to your bookers. these types of girls think the world is jealous of them. sadly, in the model world, which she claims to have entered merely for the money, there is a lot more than deceiving agencies and acting arrogant.

i think instead of writing, this young girl should find some humility.

i hope someone portrays the world i exist in an accurate way, so the world can know what model life is really all about.

Cheryl Diamond's memoir, MODEL, offers readers a rare glimpse inside the modeling industry. In her teens, Diamond got a contract with an agency and moved out on her own to pursue a career in modeling. With her striking looks and natural blonde hair, she caught the attention of top designers and talent seekers, getting hired for photoshoots and runway shows most beginning models only dream of.

As glamorous as that sounds, Diamond isn't afraid to reveal the less appealing side of modeling. From the two days she spent without a home while waiting for her first payment, to the bullying agency managers and clients and the illicit activities her fellow models get caught up in, she makes it clear there's a lot more to modeling than standing in front of the camera. But Diamond was able to stay true to herself despite fears and temptations, and ultimately the story is one of survival and hope.

Anyone even a little curious about the modeling industry will find MODEL hard to put down. With Diamond's wry and humorous tone and her many exploits, it's as entertaining as it is informative. There's also much to admire in the fact that she managed to avoid the drug use, health issues, and nasty relationships that many of her co-workers fell victim to. A great voice, a great story, and a great message -- it all adds up to a great book.

Reviewed by: Lynn Crow

Have you ever wondered what it's really like to be a high fashion model in New York? Top model, and now author, Cheryl Diamond takes readers behing the scenes of the fashion industry in this fast-paced, hilarious, and ultimately inspiring true story. Once you have met these characters, you won't forget them. From photoshoots to runway shows, Model is hard to put down.

Once I started reading this book, I just could not put it down! Deffinetly one of my fave "Model" themed book.

I think this book was definetly worth reading but it was more for teenagers. It was to descriptive for a younger person to read but the language expressed in it, I don't think an adult would want to read it. It really makes it feel like you can relate to the things that happen. And it really made me think about what I have and that I should learn to appreciate everything that I have.

This was a quick read. I got so caught up in Cheryl's adventures in New York and in the modelling world that I had a hard time putting the book down.

She made the people and places come alive. Fab and Veronika will live forever in my mind. Her descriptions of the club scene, the way that very underage models were readily welcomed inside and offered drinks and drugs, opened my eyes to what the industry does to our teenagers involved. Kudos to Cheryl for not going down that path.

Cheryl was one brave, tough young woman and she had some amazingly calm parents. I don't think I could in my worst nightmare, let my 16 year old daughter live all alone in New York. WHEW what a book.