When the television show The New York Times featured the twenty-nine-year-old Lisa Mancini, a former beauty queen with cerebral palsy, raised by foster parents in Long Island, many commented that she looked like an older sister. She spoke of her desire to find a partner in her thirties and referred to herself as “practical”. In an article published online, she was described as a “natured” person, who has long been interested in art and culture. A National Board of Fashion was recently asked to rank her as a supermodel, given her obvious similarities to its current generation of models, who have achieved success at the high end of the industry.
In looking at her case, one must also remember that Mancini has cerebral palsy, which does not necessarily diminish her charm, or make her unsuitable for a modeling career, in light of her age and the fact that her natural talents should be channeled in a more constructive way. She has spoken openly about her love of music, and the effect it had on her. She said that it helped her overcome a language barrier when she was studying in Italy. While a big name in the modeling business, Mancini has nevertheless remained true to her roots as a fashion model, having appeared in various ad campaigns, commercial catalogs, and lingerie. Her status as a smaller-town New Yorker, away from the glitz and glamour of New York City, has made her seem even more real and more relatable to the average woman. Mancini’s success, and the success of other models who are just as unfortunate as she was, reminds us that the profession may not necessarily be for the meek.
Lisa Mancini’s case, and that of other women like her, make us all reminder that we must be strong and resilient if we are to carry on in this profession, despite its inherent contradictions. Being able to take criticism, and learning to persevere is crucial if you are to succeed in this business. A successful campaign requires a high level of stamina, and no small amount of luck as well. Lisa Mancini definitely benefited from her upbringing, but with hard work and a positive outlook, even a newbie like her can make a difference in the world. In the words of one popular song, “These Boots Were Made for Walking”, maybe we shouldn’t despair over the fate of our professions, after all, “there’s something good in this world” might be true, but we can do something about it if we choose to.