Signing to the right agency is essential to the foundation of a new Model’s career. Nadia Jazelle shares her journey of self-discovery that led to officially signing to her first model agency.

By Nadia Jazelle

As an ambitious young girl with limitless optimism, I had a world of possibilities at my feet. However, pursuing a modeling career felt like a constant uphill battle. Despite numerous attempts, I struggled to gain traction in the industry.  Even though I was able to focus on my career and generate the most traction after I finished college, I still didn’t have a road map and like most models starting out, I applied to pretty much every gig. Along the way I discovered Polished Models Co.. 

I reached out to PresTina Glover—one of the Co-Owners of Polished Models, to learn more about the agency. In 2022 I met Prestina in person at the "Rags $2 Riches: A Thrifted Runway Show" casting call and she remembered me from our previous interactions. PresTina has always been a friend and mentor from the beginning of my journey. When PresTina told me Polished was considering me as a developmental model I was excited but a little impatient. I was thrilled to potentially be a signed model but my inner thoughts were taking over, “When will they sign me? Are they really going to sign me?” 

In the meantime, I auditioned for another agency and was rejected. I was absolutely devastated and I turned to PresTina for support. She encouraged me to spend a year on my journey of self discovery and developing my overall presence. During that year I took my first venture to New York Fashion Week with two amazing models that I'm grateful to have met— Rosco Davis and Stephanie Baltrus, who are also part of Polished. Stephanie has been a great friend, offering me encouragement and advice to keep me motivated throughout my modeling journey, and Rosco has been a listening ear and motivator and we’ve grown in confidence together, speaking encouraging words from across the room.

My first venture to New York Fashion Week was a difficult experience, but it taught me a valuable lesson. It’s challenging to succeed in the modeling industry but My friends seemingly experienced immediate success, and it felt like the complete opposite for me. New York was so new to me, and in Detroit I had never felt like this before. I was fighting for the dream but I was simultaneously discouraged. I did get to model in a show while we were in New York, thanks to my friend who had connections with the show coordinator. That's why it's essential to know yourself while understanding and adapting to the industry's ever changing desires. 

Polished Models Co. has created a community for me, even before I was signed to the company. After casting I remember being officially welcomed to Polished with tears in my eyes. I remember hugging PresTina, Tiffany, Rosco, and Jonathan from Polished, and the joy I felt in that moment was unmeasurable. I had prayed for so long to be signed and to receive advice on the journey and finally, I was signed to my first agency and found a company that would love me and give me direction. 

The greatest thing about Polished Models Co. is that they accept you for who you are. They want individuals who want to grow and show the world a better version of themselves. If you're looking for a fresh perspective or just a loving embrace, check out Polished Models Co.