Life After Modelling: Models Reflect on Leaving the Industry

I think a lot of models struggle with the question: What’s next?

Some have degrees but never really worked outside the industry, and some don’t have either and feel completely lost about what to do next.

I’m lucky to have a degree and some experience in the corporate world as a recruitment consultant. But when you’ve been in the creative industry and enjoy it, it’s hard to just go back—or start over—in a fully corporate environment.

They’re such different worlds.

Burnout from the disrespect.

I'm currently on a 5-month break (not sure how long it’ll last), but I was completely exhausted from dealing with MAs who only care about their own interests and booking agencies that don’t give a damn about you. I felt like I was working hard, giving the best of myself, only to be met with disrespect.

It’s honestly surprising—after years of modeling, I thought the clients would be the toughest part. But no... clients are mostly kind and respectful. It’s the agencies that often ruin the experience.

I feel like the industry has changed so much. There are so many models now, and a lot of them are sitting around without work. It’s becoming harder and harder to build a real career—or even make a living—just from modeling. Agencies are overcrowded with talent, and nepotism and AI aren’t helping either.

After 10 years in the industry, I’m now looking for a more stable job—something that offers a consistent income.

I had a couple of reasons. I’d been married for a while and was still working, but I wasn’t making as much money as I used to. So I decided it just wasn’t worth leaving my family for long periods if the income didn’t match the sacrifice.

That’s when I decided to switch and start working as a mother agent.

I really enjoy modeling and all the opportunities it’s given me, but somewhere along the way, I completely lost myself. My entire sense of worth became tied to my appearance—basically, how skinny I was.

I’ve thought about stepping away to take care of myself, but modeling is a tricky career. It has an expiration date, yet people expect you to be 100% committed from the age of 17.

I’ve never done anything else. I’ve never studied anything. I have no idea what I’d do if I stopped. So after 8 years, I just try not to think about it too much. I’m taking what I can from the time I have left and hoping that, eventually, I’ll figure it out.

I had a broken femur due to osteopenia, which I developed as a result of an eating disorder—trying to force my body into a shape that wasn’t natural for me. I also had serious hormonal issues, all from cutting out fat completely from my diet.

Since then, I’ve been trying to give modeling another chance—this time, in a healthy way. But it’s still a struggle, especially with the pressure around measurements.

For models living in smaller or less privileged countries, giving up modeling isn’t always an easy choice. It’s often one of the few real opportunities to leave your home country, especially if you don’t have much financial support.

It’s hard to walk away after seeing the kinds of doors modeling can open—the places it can take you. Not many jobs offer that kind of geographic freedom.

So yeah, it’s not just about loving modeling. It’s also about what it represents: opportunity, escape, and a chance at something bigger.

I had to take a step back and get my life together. Modeling was my first job, and I truly loved it — but struggling with an eating disorder nearly cost me everything. That’s when I knew I had to stop and focus on healing.

I went back to studying, and through that process, I realized I’m more than just a model. So many of my friends in the industry relate to this — always chasing the next thing, always feeling like we have to prove our worth.

I’ll always love modeling, and I don’t blame anyone who still gives everything to it — because I did too. And in that moment, it felt worth it. Traveling the world, having wild experiences, making lifelong friends — those memories are a part of who I am. But I also needed to reconnect with myself. My identity couldn’t just come from the jobs I booked — it had to come from within.

Choosing to step away, even temporarily, was one of the hardest decisions I’ve made. I remember crying like I’d lost someone — and in a way, I had.

But you know what? I’m happy now. I’ve grown. I’ve healed. And, funnily enough, agencies are now more interested in who I am, not just what I look like.

Whether I return or not, I know I’m coming back as a different woman — someone with experience, self-worth, and the clarity to always put herself first.

I’ve been working as a model for over a decade, and now I’m thinking about transitioning into part-time modeling while focusing on a full-time job or building my own business.

Modeling has been a great experience for me. I never really doubted that it was the right path, because I knew what I was getting into. Everything that happened—good or bad—I saw as part of the journey. It’s all been a life lesson in some form.

That said, there are two major things I’ve constantly struggled with.

First, in modeling, you can work hard and give your best, but ultimately, your success depends on others choosing you—based on their perspective, preferences, and trends. No matter how much effort you put in, it's not always rewarded.

In contrast, in the corporate world, your hard work can lead to promotions and clear progress. In modeling, “success” is much harder to define and even harder to reach. It’s not like the ’90s or 2000s anymore, when models could become household names. These days, clients and the public are more drawn to influencers and nepo babies. The era of new-gen supermodels seems to be fading, and the industry itself feels like it's slowly burning out.

Second, there’s the constant judgment—especially from people outside the industry. In everyday life, people make disrespectful comments or judge my appearance without realizing how rude or hurtful it is. But modeling is my job, not my identity.

Eventually, I just got tired of dealing with people—both in and outside of the industry.

As someone who has 90% stopped modeling—and plans to stop completely—I wanted to share a few thoughts.

Modeling can be a great job while you're young and healthy, but let’s be honest: it’s far from a healthy lifestyle. You only really start to see that once you grow up. The minimum working conditions often aren't even met.

I remember having to beg for basic things—food, water during fashion week (seriously?), a decent apartment or just a day off. And when I brought it up with agents or clients, I was told I was being "unprofessional."

The job can be incredibly unhealthy, both physically and mentally: constant travel, irregular hours, getting paid months later, being around people who are unsafe (yes, everyone knows about the predators)

As I got older, I started to really feel the consequences. I spent so much time, energy, and money on modeling—and for what? I didn’t save anything. I didn’t study anything else. For years, I was just surviving.

Of course, I also have some amazing memories and met incredible people—that’s the bright side. But the downsides hit hard, especially when it comes to health.

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I think after 8–10 years, it’s the right time to stop—not just because you evolve as a person, but also because of what it does to your body.

So to any model reading this: take care of your health. There are consequences, and often, you won’t notice them until years later. Do regular check-ups. See a physiotherapist. Treat your body like it matters—because it really does.