On the Catwalk with Jade Willoughby

Jade Willoughby Contributor

I recently moved to Toronto to further pursue my modeling career, while attending post secondary at George Brown College. And while I will admit my life is significantly more hectic than before, I wouldn’t have it any other way. It’s safe to say I am more accustomed to the big city life than I would have ever imagined. Moving away from home was harder than I expected, because it hit me like a brick wall, I wasn’t a little girl anymore. An entirely new life awaited in Toronto, a mere flight away.

Since moving to Toronto my career is slowly building momentum as my experience as a working model increases. When my agent calls to inform me that I have booked a job, there is always a moment of surrealism. Because it naturally causes me to look back and realize how far I have come.

Thinking back on all the memories, some more painful than others. I acknowledge and appreciate how difficult my life was.

photo by Maxime Bocken

Willoughby is tall, thin, has striking facial features with a healthy complexion and an engaging smile that comes easily. Her mother Tracey said Jade wasn’t always so healthy. She has a kidney disorder (Nephrotic Syndrome) so rare it strikes only one in every 100,000.

“Essentially what happens when she has an episode from her condition is: her entire body would swell. Her immune system would kick in at 200 per cent, get confused and attack the filter to her kidney resulting in massive water retention.”

That, in turn, would land Jade in the hospital where she would need to be stabilized by doctors on a “pretty regular basis” starting when Jade was seven.

“I was actually pretty large up until about (four) years ago,” Jade said. “If anyone had seen me then compared to now, they’d be surprised at how different I look, because at my worst, I could have been classified as obese because of all the water I was carrying.”

Tracey said her daughter can’t have salt because it causes water retention. She also said Jade became the butt of jokes because of her illness by other kids.

“The water retention was so bad and affected her whole body that her entire face would also swell,” Tracey said. “Because it was water swelling, that water would drop to the lower half of her face and make her look moon-faced. So that’s what the kids called her at school: moon face.”

Through all the pain that was caused by my illness and my peers, I would like to extend my gratitude because it was beneficial in the end in the sense that it’s given me strength to deal with the challenges that being in this industry presents.

Recently I shot a beauty spread for Verve Girl magazine for the February/March issue. This job was very special to me as it showed the beauty of multiculturalism and it was my first magazine booking. It was a true pleasure to work with such a diverse group of models and be able to see the beauty each had to offer. As well, I had the opportunity to work with Celebrity Makeup Artist Paul Venoit for a special featured on E talk daily. Having the chance to work with him was sort of unreal. It is a true blessing that each job is so diverse and holds an individual beauty specific to who we are.

Many view the world of modeling with a starry-eyed idealism, admiration, hopefulness, but with many misconceptions. While this profession can be quite glamorous offering travel and one of a kind opportunities. It is important to realize that behind the glamour there is the hard work, the endless waiting hours both on and off set.

This is a demanding job both physically, mentally and sometimes emotionally. What I hope is realized is the amount of time it takes to create that one image. The jobs are often eight hour days beginning at 8 am or earlier and can sometimes go into 14 hour days.

The hair and makeup alone can take anywhere from one to three hours for just one look and more often than not, there are usually multiple looks. But through all the changes of the day, standing and holding a pose for what can seem like forever. You are able to translate the story and get that one perfect image that brings it life.

In order to succeed you in anything you choose to pursue, exemplary drive and determination not to mention passion are required. It sometimes gets hard, dealing with the rejection or not booking the job because you don’t have the desired look. Especially when this industry is dominated by a certain look. But like anything we do and with any passion you have to persevere.

It’s important that with anything you do to never forget who you are. For instance compromises are sometimes required if a shoot may compromise one’s personal moral standards. But communication as with any relationship is key especially with yourself. In part of never forgetting who you are. It’s important that you’re always conscious of your actions. You can’t behave irresponsibly as this will have a negative effect on your image and reputation as a model. Which are two key qualities anyone has to posses.

One of the biggest challenges for me, is that I have to be away from home. While I do travel back quite often and vice versa, it gets a little harder each time our visits come to a close. But being on my own has helped me to truly appreciate the time I have with my friends and family.

My family is extremely supportive with my decision to follow my dream and they have been my greatest strength in not giving up. My friends as well are always there to listen and share in my happiness. One of my good friends recently traveled up to Toronto to spend the weekend with me. And its gestures that truly let me know I can do this.

This life change has offered a great deal of experiences both negative and positive. These have afforded me a clearer view of what matters most on this life journey. Because time isn’t important.

Only life.

I believe my illness was a blessing in disguise. While I will admit for a long time, I could not be view it any other way than negatively I have now come to understand the beauty that was the preparation for my life now.

About Jade:
Whitesand First Nation band member
Doesn’t wear makeup outside of jobs.
Has grown the coveted half inch and now stands at 5’9.
Best friends with hoop dancer, Beany John.
Oldest of 4.
Still orders no salt.