The odds were somewhat daunting when Kaylyn Pryor decided to compete in this year’s Mario Make Me a Model contest. She was one of 500 potentially professionally gorgeous hopefuls in the first round.
After surviving two semi-final rounds and several weeks of intensive training by the Factor Women modeling agency, however, the 20-year-old former ETHS Wildkit track athlete and cheerleader was declared the 2015 winner of the annual event sponsored by Mario Tricoci Hair Salons & Day Spas..
Pryor recently had time for a quick chat about modeling, maintaining a positive mental attitude and what’s next for her.
Q: What made you think of entering the Make Me a Model contest?
A: My auntie had mentioned it to me before, but my friend Sunaina Bartra from high school was the say-so for me going. She said, “Hey, let’s do it together’ and I said, “Yeah, let’s go!” So we went to the open call at the downtown Michigan Avenue salon and they told us if we were chosen, we’d be in the top 40. And that Tuesday afternoon I got the call that I’d made it — and I was so excited. My friend didn’t make it, unfortunately, but she’s been supportive the whole way, rooting for me and everything.
Q: Were you surprised when you made the first cut?
A: I was so surprised because there were over 300 people just at the downtown salon and they were all beautiful girls and handsome guys. I was like, “Whaaaat? For real? You’re going to choose me?” (Laughs)
Q: Have you always been interested in modeling or is this a new development?
A: I was interested in modeling when I was younger and my friends always told me I should model, but I’ve always been a tomboy. I always ran track and played sports. I did cheerleading but I didn’t wear dresses and heels and stuff, until I got older and started to develop more into the girlie world. (Laughs) I started taking it seriously at that point. Especially after high school, because up to that point I’d been really focused on track.
Q: What appeals to you about modeling?
A: Well, I’ve had two inspirations: Naomi Campbell and Tyra Banks. And I’ve always watched the Victoria’s Secret fashion show on TV. For me, seeing tall women in heels on TV — because I’ve always been taller than all of my friends and my family — made me think, “Hey, they look just like me. Maybe I could do that too.”
Q: Have you always had a strong interest in fashion?
A: Not high fashion, really. I’m not really into materialistic things. I can go into a thrift shop like Rag Stock and piece together a great outfit. It’s really about how you wear it. You can make a $20 outfit look like a thousand dollars if you wear it right.
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Q: Had you worked professionally as a model before this?
A: Not a lot. Though I have actually been the face of a clothing line called Against All Odds by the Chicago fashion designer Ian Hargrove for the last couple of years here and there.
Q: What was your reaction when you won?
A: I was really shocked, honestly. I had worked so hard, but my energy about it the whole time was that was okay if I didn’t win, because there was so much valuable exposure and networking. I just kept telling myself, ‘Hey, you’re already a winner just being here and being part of this.’
Q: What have you learned during this process?
A: I’ve learned that your personality really makes an impact on how far you can go. If you’re energy is negative, it’s going to show and people are going to notice. But if you come in with a positive mindset and forget about your worries and just try to do something positive, that’s going to come out and you’re really going to shine.
Q: Do you think the competition and the training has sharpened your skills?
A: Yes, I think so. Factor Women modeling agency is a sponsor of the competition, so we had personal coaching from actual Factor models and agents and classes on how to walk and things like that. That’s why I had already decided I was a winner no matter what the outcome was.
Q: What is your career goal now?
A: Factor Women is supposed to be contacting me in regard to possibly signing with them. If that doesn’t happen, I’m open to working with other agencies, but I would really love to work with Factor, because I love the energy of the crew and the models are super nice. I actually know some of them from running against them in track!
Q: So your first goal is to sign with an agency. Where would you like your career to be five years from now?
A: You know, I always say the future is unwritten. You never know what will happen. You can never tell how far anything will go. But as long as you remain humble and stay positive, there are so many options that could work out for you. So, I really don’t have any set goal right now. But I do hope to be on the cover of Vogue one day (Laughs) and hopefully to walk in the Victoria’s Secret show, just like all those women who were inspirational to me.