Walk this way: Bartlett selected as finalist for Jovani “IT Girl” model
Chloe Bartlett is in the process of taking the next big step in her budding modeling career.
The Nevada High School class of 2017 grad, and Miss Missouri Teen USA first runner-up last September was chosen as one of seven finalists to become the next Jovani IT Girl.
“I was in disbelief when I found out I had been selected as a finalist,” said Bartlett. “It was an incredible feeling. I prayed a lot about it, and have been hoping for opportunities like this, and it came up, and I’m just so excited.”
Originally Bartlett was one of 20 models chosen from a pool of 2,500 candidates to model the Jovani fashion line in what is known as the “Atlanta market.”
Bartlett, 18, who flew solo to Atlanta in early April, said she enjoyed being able to experience some independence in a big city.
“After getting to Atlanta I had to catch a thing called the MARTA train,” she said. “People who don’t have cars in the city ride the train. I hopped in on this train and then had to walk a couple blocks to my hotel and meet up with my roommates. I was on my own, and it was a lot of fun.”
Bartlett, who has previously won major pageants, said her trip to Atlanta was the experience of a lifetime.
“My roommates were from Ohio and Mississippi,” she said. “I met girls from New Jersey, New York, and Las Vegas.
The week long, all-expenses paid trip to Atlanta, was a fun and sometimes grueling experience for Bartlett. Bartlett said she spent the bulk of her time in Atlanta doing runway shows with the other 19 competitors.
“It was very strenuous. I saw one girl right in front of me whose feet were bleeding,” Bartlett recalled. “We were taping our feet. By the end of the week, I felt like I was back playing basketball [with the Nevada Lady Tigers varsity squad].”
Bartlett continued, “We modeled about 15 to 20 dresses a show. So I was very busy and very productive. Literally, every day, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., we were in runway shows. It was non-stop. We were in six, seven-inch heels all day, and you had a show no matter what. You are walking that runway. It was rough but fun.”
Bartlett said that some of the buyers would come back and ask for a specific model to try on a dress.
“They would pull a model and you would try on dresses for them and walk out [on the runway], for strictly one or two buyers if they wanted to see it on you,” said Bartlett.
Bartlett, who was also awarded a $1,000 scholarship for her selection in the competition, emerged as a contest finalist. She will now go to New York in July, where she will take part in Jovani photo, and possibly video, shoots. The pool of seven models, however, will be whittled to one, as Bartlett looks to launch her modeling career on the national stage as the 2017 Jovani IT Girl contest winner.
“You’re competing to be their No. 1 girl,” noted Bartlett. “And then you’ll be their model for the year.”
Currently, Bartlett is signed with Kansas City-based Voices & Model and Talent Agency.
“[With Voices &] I’ve gotten to model for a lot of local stuff, like the Hallmark signature line and some jean companies,” said Bartlett. “But this is a whole new level, getting to travel to Atlanta and New York.”
“I even got scouted by a New York [modeling] agency when I was in Atlanta, added Bartlett.
“I just didn’t pursue that agency. I’m really hoping that some new doors open and that I get scouted by some other agents in New York –– and just kind of the sky is the limit.”
“I’m just going to have fun and enjoy the experience. I don’t look at it as a competition, it’s a once in a lifetime experience.”
Bartlett said her parents, Brent and Lori, and sister Mikayla, will join her on her last day of modeling in New York. They plan to hit Broadway and do some additional sightseeing.
“It’s just going to be a fun family vacation,” she said.
Bartlett, who is a seasoned veteran on the pageant circuit, said runway modeling is a night and day difference from pageant competition.
“Totally different levels,” she said. “Pageants are more competing and showing, you get to talk and express who you are on the inside. The runway modeling is more fierce, and it’s a little bit different of a walk than in pageants.”
Bartlett said she is making a return trip this September to compete in the Miss Missouri Teen USA pageant.
“I’m very excited and am training hard for it,” said Bartlett. “I’m waking up at 5:30 a.m. every day and working out for two hours. I’m working on my interview, I’ve been walking and just getting prepared.”
Bartlett said she works with a trainer out of Elite Twin Fitness in Kansas City.
“I do about an hour of weights, and then about an hour of cardio,” she said. “And instead of just regular running on a treadmill, I’ll do lunges on a treadmill and side-shuffles on a moving treadmill, and run incline. Everything is way more intense [than my training regiment from last year].”
Bartlett currently attends City Pointe Beauty Academy in Webb City.
“Since I’m going into cosmetology school, my plan is to be a pageant hair and makeup artist and travel around, as well as do hair and makeup for model shoots,” she Bartlett. “I would love to do this as a career, but it’s a very hard industry to get into.”