Local model off to Japan
By Dale R. Clifford

Examiner Staff Writer

Cavan’s Jordyn H. says she has always wanted to travel. Now she is getting that opportunity in a way she never imagined.

The 14-year-old daughter of Gary & Kim H. is going to Japan to work under contract as a teen model for the Tokyo Agency, Team. She left with her mom Sunday and will model in the Japanese city for the next 70 days, returning home June 11.

Her flight actually goes from to Toronto to Chicago then across the ocean. It is the first time she has even been out of Canada and only the second time on a plane. Her previous travelling experiences, she said, have been to Manitoba (on the plane) and Quebec.

“I have never really travelled before,” said the Grade 9 student at Holy Cross Secondary School. “I will get to see a different culture and it will be a full-time job. It will be an amazing experience. I have no idea of everything I will be doing yet but will soon find out. I love it all and I’m looking forward to it.”

Jordyn, who began modelling about six years ago when she turned nine, said she first connected with the Tokyo group in Toronto in November. It was arranged through her agent Audra Anderson after a first meeting with Asian agents at a model and talent convention in the provincial capital in May.

“We had great feedback from that,” said Jordyn. “They wanted to meet me in November. It went really well. They said they were very interested. They told me they liked that I was tall (5’8” and 115 pounds) and had blue eyes (laughs). That is a bit different for them. When I first found out I was chosen, I had butterflies and it was a little overwhelming. But it is exciting. ”

Jordyn began modelling with Mode Elle Model & Talent Agency in Belleville and after participating in her first convention, they placed her with the children’s division of Ford Models, which represents more than 2,500 models globally. She was with Ford for two years.

Much of her work has been modelling clothes for such groups as Zellers and Sears and at shoots in Toronto. As far as she understands, she will be part of a 12-member Japanese team.

Jordyn, who has three older brothers and plays defence for her Holy Cross and Peterborough bantam BB IceKats hockey teams, said she first became involved in modelling when walking through Lansdowne Place with her mother and seeing an ad for it.

“I was interested in acting so we filled it out and got a call,” she said. “It went from there. I just love modelling and want to make it a career. I love being in front of a camera, getting makeup, dressing up and posing. And I like to travel.”

Jordyn, who looks up to supermodel Liisa Winkler of Canada, said while in Japan she will keep up with her schoolwork via email correspondence and will have to write exams up her return.

That’s all right with her. It will all work,” she said confidently.