How to Prepare for the Hudson Valley Parent Magazine Cover Kid Event

If you live in the Hudson Valley and know someone between 6 months and 16 years wanting to break into the acting or modeling industry, the Cover Kid contest on April 19th at the Newburgh Mall is calling them. I am a former Hudson Valley Cover Kid and this contest gave me the skills needed to keep striving for what I wanted in the industry. I am currently an agency signed model and Miss Dutchess County Teen 2015 all at the tender age of 16!

A little over three years ago, I attended the Hudson Valley Parent Magazine Cover Kid event for the first time. I ended up getting pretty far in the contest and I was a runner-up. I worked with the New York Talent Club and began to do feature films and studying acting and modeling. With me having such determination, I returned again the next year with even more confidence. That was my year and I became a HV Cover Kid and was on the December 2013 magazine cover. 

With the knowledge I have now, I wish I could have known some of these tips earlier in my adventure. I can not complain though because the best way to learn is from your mistakes! The worst feeling is being confused or unprepared, so I gathered together my top ten tips for preparing for the Cover Kid event:

1. Dress yourself or child however they are most comfortable. You don't want them to be distracted by their own outfit! Talent agents are looking for naturally beautiful children. There is no need to invest in expensive costumes or crazy hairdos for the day. Keep everything age appropriate and flattering.
2. As always, be you! The best way to get the attention of the talent agents is to tell them unique and fun things about yourself. It is always the girl or boy with the genuine personality that will be remembered! 
3. If you or your child don't happen to get a coveted cover spot this year, try again next year. Not everyone can win, but that doesn't mean anything. It is all about development. Hey, just look at my story!
4. Get a general knowledge of what you like most about the talent industry. Are you more into theater or film? Runway or print? Vocals or dance? It is a huge world out there, so know where you would like to stand in the future.
5. For all the parents out there, it is important to be supportive, but DO NOT brainwash your child. Let them do this only if they enjoy it because it will show on them. Avoid giving them a ton of tips and let your child naturally shine on their own like they are meant to!
6. Get a good nights sleep the night before the Cover Kid Event. It's best to avoid cranky moods as much as possible. Also, it looks better on camera!
7. If you plan on coming earlier than your slot, bring a little form of entertainment with you to past the time or enjoy the Family Fair going on at the mall. If you have a small child that might be snacking, it may be best to have a spare outfit on hand in cause of any accidents!
8. Come at your given time so you can settle down and enjoy the festivities. This will also give you enough time to see what is going on and how your audition will work.
9. Just so you know, the agents are extremely nice! It is just like talking to a close friend, so don't think you have to go overboard as if it is a job interview. 
10. When it is over, feel rewarded! Not everyone child has the opportunity to speak face-to-face with a talent agent. This is an opportunity of a lifetime, so just enjoy it all!

So go ahead and mark down April 19, 2015 on your calendar from 11-5PM at the Newburgh Mall. Register right here and I hope to see you there. I will be co-hosting!