A casting call was the perfect fit for Emma Manning’s plan to challenge herself in new ways in 2024.
The New West resident is one of the Top 10 finalists in the 2024 Model Casting Call for plus-sized clothing brand, Torrid. Out of more than 11,000 North American applicants, Manning is among the 10 women who have made it to the final round.
Manning’s journey began in June, when she attended at casting call at the Torrid store in Guildford Town Centre.
“I thought it looked so fun. Hearing about Torrid and about how inclusive they are, I felt like I was given an opportunity to try something new,” she said. “For 2024 I told myself that I wanted to get myself out of my comfort zone, I wanted to try new things, go on new adventures. So, I was like, why not?”
In July, she found out she had made it into the Top 30. In early August Manning learned she had made it into the Top 10.
“This experience has been an amazing journey, meeting other girls that are like-minded and meeting such a big group of people who are so supportive,” she said. “I like to say that I am pretty confident in myself, but it boosted my confidence even more. It just made me feel like I am deserving of a lot more than I think. I feel like it’s your life and you are in control of your life — you can do whatever you want.”
Manning, 24, attended the Torrid Model Boot Camp in Los Angeles from Aug. 15 to 17, where she joined the other Top 10 finalists in a full-day modeling mentorship hosted by the Torrid and model Candice Huffine. It also included a content creation workshop with LA-based influencer Kristal Heredia, a self-love and body positivity advocate.
The grand prize winner of the Torrid 2024 Casting Call will be announced on Sept. 4 and will be featured in a 2025 campaign photoshoot. The winner will also receive a $2,000 cash prize, a full year's wardrobe from Torrid (valued at $15,000), and an opportunity to be signed with a global talent management agency.
Born and raised in Prince George, Manning has lived in New West for two years. After working as a barista for several years, she returned to school to train as a care aide; she is currently working as a care aide in an intensive care unit.
“I absolutely love it,” she said. “I love the teamwork [...] I hope to one day go back to school and become either a respiratory therapist or a registered nurse.”
Amazing experience
Manning, who has no modelling experience, thoroughly enjoyed her time in LA, where a chauffeur awaited her at LAX and transported her to her accommodations at the Chamberlain West Hollywood Hotel.
“Amazing,” she said. “The overall environment was so welcoming.”
After joining the other finalists for dinner, they spent the following day in Torrid Model Boot Camp, where they were fitted for clothes and pampered by the hair and makeup team. The women learned how to pose for photos and participated in a photo shoot.
Seven Americans and three Canadians are in Torrid’s Top 10. Regardless of what happens on Sept. 4, Manning already feels likes she’s benefited from the experience.
You voted, now here they are. Meet our TOP 10 FINALISTS 🤗🤩 https://t.co/1px1eyeZD8 pic.twitter.com/rMNs94iNZs
— Torrid (@Torrid) August 14, 2024
“I am hoping this will open new doors and new opportunities for me,” she said. “I have always been interested in doing work on social media. I also want to share my story as well — learning how to love yourself again and finding that confidence that you always had.”
Manning said she was “on the bigger side” of what she was accustomed to when she sought to lose weight. She wanted to achieve an appearance that she thought met society’s norm.
“Growing up, I had always been very hard on myself, especially with my body image. Especially from social media, it’s really pushed out there that the only way to be beautiful is to be thin. I believed that for a while,” she said. “I restricted myself from doing a lot of things that I loved just to be looking a certain way.”
After losing nearly 100 pounds and becoming “very, very thin,” Manning said she realized that weight and lifestyle were not sustainable.
“I was not eating enough. I was very lethargic. My job was very active, and I was so tired all the time,” she said. “Feeling those symptoms, it helped me realize this is not what I should be doing to myself.”
Manning regained some of the weight she had lost — and embarked on a self-love journey where she learned to be confident and comfortable in her body.
Along the way, Manning said she has learned it is possible to look chic and trendy, without having to squeeze into a size small apparel. She appreciates that some clothing brands and magazines are becoming more size inclusive.
“You know what? Any shape, any size — you are beautiful no matter what,” she said. “Beauty comes from inside.”
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