An interesting article over at NY Mag states that advertisers and talent agencies are seeking little black girls for as models.
Madison Avenue is scrambling to adjust to a new era, when the most admired people in America are a black family. To reflect this reality, talent scouts are on the hunt for models who look like the Obama children, Sasha, 7, and Malia, 10. “People are looking for girls who resemble them,” says Charlie Winfield, the head booker at FunnyFace Today.
Tali Lev, an agent with the Gilla Roos agency, keeps links to her “Sasha” and “Malia” model lists on her desktop for easy access. “Photographers even want them for their portfolios.” Marlene Wallach, president of Wilhelmina Kids & Teens, says the First Daughters are tough subjects to match. “It’s a very specific age and a very specific ethnicity, so there aren’t that many girls that would necessarily fit the bill.”
Two who do are Ariel Binns and Kylah Williams, whom Wallach booked as Sasha and Malia, respectively, in the September 2008 issue of Harper’s Bazaar, which featured a faux Obama family (Tyra Banks played Michelle) SOURCE
I guess this is progress but what took so long? African Americans have only been in America since its inception. Crispus Attucks was the first casulaty of the American Revolution.
There is huge purchasing power in the African American community. It seemed always counter-intuitive to not have African American models, dolls, actresses. It's particulary interesting how Wallach describes the Obama girls as 'tough subjects to match.' Seriously?
Maybe a new generation of little brown girls will have an opportunity to see themselves in a positive light.
**I know the last picture is old but they look so cute here**
It is too bad because I’ve always thought that little Black girls are the cutest children in the world. Yeah, I’m a little biased, but it’s also the truth
I would like to see more black girls in commercials, print ads, etc.
To me this is about more than purchasing power. It’s about recognising that America is not lily white. Advertisers who don’t use blacks and other people of colour in their marketing shouldn’t expect them to purchase their products.
As for the Obama girls, I think they’re absolutely terrific! They’re girls, they’re happy, they smile, they wave … they’re a breath of fresh air and a testament to the job that Barack and Michelle have done as parents.
Me too.
I couldn’t agree, more.
They seem so well-behaved. Even little Sasha just seems so impervious to all the hoopla around them. She just dances and smiles. Malia seems so mature and subdued for her age. I love them. They make me think that having kids is not so terrible.
Those are seriously two of the cutest little girls I have EVER seen. And I even have a daughter. I think it’s the total package. Their looks, their personalities, the way they carry themselves. They are just absolutely gorgeous
I will say it’s nice to hear these comments coming from men. We need to champion our little girls.
I second that Taula! Girls rock!
Whoop! Whoop!
You are so right about the New First Kids; they are cute and beautiful.
Sasha knows he is the President, and all that goes with it. But to me he is just daddy, and I am his little girl.
I think the biggest thing for Sasha to do over the next year or so is get used to her dad being the President.
I do believe by the time she is 10 years old she will be more adjusted and just as mature as Malia will be at 13.
But they are what I remember being as a 10 year black child in the 60’s. I was not aware of all the hate and predjudice around me. I believe my parents sheltered me from it. Or it could have been the fact that I grew up in the suburbs of Los Angeles.
Well, I grew up in the hood and my mom sheltered me as much as she could. I had a happy childhood.