Bethann Hardison A former model, Bethann Hardison opened her own agency Bethann Management where she signed male supermodel Tyson Beckford. She’s been instrumental in helping bring models of color to the fashion world. She is working on a documentary “Invisible Beauty.” Hardison is Editor at Large of the website Italian Vogue Black. |
NeNe Leakes NeNe Leakes is a fan favorite on Bravo’s highly rated reality show, “Real Housewives of Atlanta,” now in its third season. With her brassy, no-nonsense demeanor and “tell-it-like-it-is” attitude, the New York native quickly became the show’s breakout stars and media darling. Leakes is also a former Ebony Fashion Fair Model. |
Malinda Williams Actress and ESSENCE.com blogger Malinda Williams has appeared in “The Wood”, “High School High”, “A Thin Line Between Love and Hate”, “The District”, “Law and Order: SVU”, “Idlewild”, Showtime’s “Soul Food”, Tyler Perry’s “Daddy’s Little Girl” and will appear in “Nailed” along with Tracey Morgan, Jessica Beil and Jake Gylenhall. |
Tia Williams ESSENCE.com Beauty Editor Tia Williams is the blogger behind “Shake Your Beauty” and the author of the novel Accidental Diva and the young adult series It Chicks. Williams is also co-author of Iman’s makeup book The Color of Beauty. She has worked at Elle, Glamour, Lucky and Teen People. |
Emil Wilbekin Managing Editor of ESSENCE.com, Emil Wilbekin’s commentary about pop culture and fashion has been seen on CNN, TV-One All Access, BET, VH-1, Logo, A&E and Full Frontal Fashion. He is the former Editor-in-Chief of Vibe and Giant, Style Guru for Complex and a contributing editor at Paper. |
Calvin Wilson A manager at Elite Model Management, Calvin Wilson represents some of the biggest names in fashion. He has also worked as a scout for Trump Models and casting director at JV8 Inc where he worked with clients such as Tommy Hilfiger, W, Vogue, Motorola, Armani Exchange, Johnson & Johnson and Levi’s. |
Micki Schneider A manager at Elite Model Management, Schneider helps shape the careers of some of the industries top models. After spending time as a photographer in Minnesota, he began traveling to New York casting and producing runway shows for Micon and Trew Productions. He’s also worked at Karin Models and Supreme Management. |
Marcos Olazabal As the head of the Scouting Division of Elite Model Management, Olazabal is always looking for new faces. The Columbian native moved to New York City to pursue his passions. He worked with pop stars and Broadway shows at the The Karpel Group P.R. before eventually finding his way into fashion. |
Attienette Azille A Junior Model Manager at Elite Model Management, Attienette Azille has worked her way up at the agency from intern to assistant to her current position. The Northeastern University graduate with a degree in Sociology and Art has travelled throughout Europe and lived in London. |
It Girl Judges
Bethann Hardison A former model, Bethann Hardison opened her own agency Bethann Management where she signed male supermodel Tyson Beckford. She's been instrumental in helping bring models of color to the fashion world. She is working on a documentary "Invisible Beauty." Hardison is Editor at Large of the website Italian Vogue Black.
NeNe Leakes NeNe Leakes is a fan favorite on Bravo's highly rated reality show, "Real Housewives of Atlanta," now in its third season. With her brassy, no-nonsense demeanor and "tell-it-like-it-is" attitude, the New York native quickly became the show's breakout stars and media darling. Leakes is also a former Ebony Fashion Fair Model.
Malinda Williams Actress and ESSENCE.com blogger Malinda Williams has appeared in "The Wood", "High School High", "A Thin Line Between Love and Hate", "The District", "Law and Order: SVU", "Idlewild", Showtime's "Soul Food", Tyler Perry's "Daddy's Little Girl" and will appear in "Nailed" along with Tracey Morgan, Jessica Beil and Jake Gylenhall.
Tia Williams ESSENCE.com Beauty Editor Tia Williams is the blogger behind "Shake Your Beauty" and the author of the novel Accidental Diva and the young adult series It Chicks. Williams is also co-author of Iman's makeup book The Color of Beauty. She has worked at Elle, Glamour, Lucky and Teen People.
Emil Wilbekin Managing Editor of ESSENCE.com, Emil Wilbekin's commentary about pop culture and fashion has been seen on CNN, TV-One All Access, BET, VH-1, Logo, A&E and Full Frontal Fashion. He is the former Editor-in-Chief of Vibe and Giant, Style Guru for Complex and a contributing editor at Paper.
Calvin Wilson A manager at Elite Model Management, Calvin Wilson represents some of the biggest names in fashion. He has also worked as a scout for Trump Models and casting director at JV8 Inc where he worked with clients such as Tommy Hilfiger, W, Vogue, Motorola, Armani Exchange, Johnson & Johnson and Levi's.
Micki SchneiderA manager at Elite Model Management, Schneider helps shape the careers of some of the industries top models. After spending time as a photographer in Minnesota, he began traveling to New York casting and producing runway shows for Micon and Trew Productions. He's also worked at Karin Models and Supreme Management.
Marcos Olazabal As the head of the Scouting Division of Elite Model Management, Olazabal is always looking for new faces. The Columbian native moved to New York City to pursue his passions. He worked with pop stars and Broadway shows at the The Karpel Group P.R. before eventually finding his way into fashion.
Attienette Azille A Junior Model Manager at Elite Model Management, Attienette Azille has worked her way up at the agency from intern to assistant to her current position. The Northeastern University graduate with a degree in Sociology and Art has travelled throughout Europe and lived in London.