Do you think the idea of friendship between models is genuine, or a publicity stunt?

As you get older, making friends tends to be harder. School allows us to form close bonds with our peers, as does regular 9-5 work. But modelling is unlike other types of jobs. You’ll be working with strangers regularly whilst travelling all over the country (and in some cases, the world) for work.

Having friends is crucial for our well-being. It’s vital we have people we can rely on, who we can socialise with when we’re feeling lonely and who can give advice and support when we need it. In fact, many studies have shown how the impact of loneliness and a lack of friends can result in health issues including depression.

So how do you go about making friends in the modelling industry? In such a cut-throat, competitive industry, it can perhaps seem counter-intuitive to form close connections with the same people we are competing against for work. And with stories about back-stabbing, cliques and fall-outs always rife in the media, how do we ensure our friendships are healthy and nurtured, as opposed to toxic and potentially damaging?

Here, we take a look at how to form friendships in the modelling industry.

Modelling Friendships

Supermodels Naomi Campbell and Kate Moss have nurtured a friendship that has endured 25 years since their early modelling days. A quick Google search will bring up hundreds of images of the duo enjoying a moment of laughter. The same is also true for Suki Waterhouse and Cara Delevingne, Karlie Kloss and Jordan Dunn, Candice Swanepoel and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Alessandra Ambrosio and Adriana Lima… in fact, it’s fair to say that close friendships seem pretty commonplace in the world of modelling.

It appears that many of the leading ladies in fashion are willing to support a friend on their new venture. Many critics in the media are quick to judge and love nothing more than a spat between rivals (because fights always get good airtime), but there seem to be far more photos and stories of models getting along.

It is extremely natural for colleagues to develop a trusting friendship when working in the same environment. Seeing each other on a regular basis forms a bond and a unity that is different from other relationships. An easy and natural progression into friendship can be achieved for those who share the same values.

The modelling industry is no different despite the perception that it has attained. Forming relationships whilst working closely with those on shoots and catwalk shows is extremely common. It is a way to grow and develop as a model, as modelling is very nepotistic – knowing people who are already successful and in the public eye can give you a boost by association.

The industry is fiercely competitive, so it’s important to ensure that your friendships survive jealousy and envy. Ultimately, it’s your own responsibility to ensure you handle situations with grace and maturity. If you struggle with your emotions, this is always something that can be worked on with the help of a therapist.

By socialising with those who are genuine, and by being genuine yourself in return, you can build strong, healthy relationships that can help you reach the top of the career ladder and that will also help you survive the modelling world.

Making Friends As a Model

You’ll have plenty of opportunities to make friends as a model. It’s not just other models you’ll be socialising with; it’s stylists, make-up artists, hairdressers, photographers, set designers, assistants… the list is endless. It’s important to be polite and friendly to everyone you meet in the industry. Always treat others how you yourself would like to be treated. You will always come across people who are perhaps unfriendly due to jealousy or feelings of natural rivalry, but ensure you rise above any toxicity and be kind to all. You never know who could help you land your next big role, and you want to build a reputation for being easy to work and get along with.

How to Make Friends As An Adult

Making friends seems easy as children, but what about as adults? Many people feel uncomfortable or shy making friends after school, and it can feel more difficult with age.

Firstly, don’t put too much pressure on yourself. The more nervous and worked up you are, the more intense you will come across to others. Making friends doesn’t have to feel like a really big deal; get chatting with those around you, and be yourself. Listen to what others have to say and try to remember what they’re saying. Be respectful, kind and polite – remember that you are at work, so above all you need to be professional. Ask to swap numbers with anyone you really get on with, or perhaps ask for their Instagram name so you can give them a follow. Don’t be afraid to invite people out to socialise – you’ll find that most people are just as interested in making new friends.

How to Cut Ties With a Toxic Friend

Perhaps the most difficult part of being friends with a co-worker is when that friendship no longer serves you in a positive way. How do you cut off a friend whilst being respectful, without hurting their feelings and without making things awkward at work?

Fortunately, it’s fairly uncommon to work with the same people often, so it’s unlikely you will be running into them daily. Regardless of how often you see them, never “ghost” (ignore or blank) a friend. Not only is it hurtful but it also shows you are incapable of having difficult or awkward conversations. It looks extremely unprofessional and will count against you not only socially but at work, too.

It’s important to try and discuss your feelings in a mature, respectful way, to see if anything can be done about the relationship first. Only after having a frank discussion can you determine whether you need to terminate the relationship, or whether it can be salvaged.

If you do need to cut ties with a friend, it doesn’t have to result in a huge fallout. You can either begin to distance yourself naturally over time, or have a frank discussion about why you’re choosing to step away from the friendship. There’s no need for finger-pointing or harshness; you can simply say you don’t have time to nurture the friendship anymore, or perhaps say you don’t have much in common. It’s never fun to lose a friend, even when it’s your decision, but ultimately sometimes it is a necessary choice for the good of our mental health and well-being. Don’t feel guilty about protecting your mental health.

It’s also important to try not to take it too personally if someone else steps away from you. There are many reasons someone may choose to not be your friend anymore. If possible, try to have a calm discussion about why it is happening, and try to be understanding. Relationships in life will come and go, and while it can be hurtful to lose a friend, remember that you will make many more friends in this lifetime, so focus on yourself, your hobbies and improving yourself as a person rather than becoming discouraged or despondent about it.

How to Know if a Friendship is Genuine

Unfortunately in the world of celebrities, making friends can be tricky. That’s because it’s often difficult to know who wants to be your friend because they like you, and who wants to utilise the friendship for their own gain. So how can you tell the difference?

People often find that the more successful or wealthy they become, the more difficult it is to make genuine friends.

The general rule of thumb according to psychology is that people can’t pretend to be something they’re not for longer than 3 months (it’s why so many romantic relationships break down at this point). So if you notice a new friend begin to change their attitude around this time, it may mean they’ve been hiding their true self from you.

You may also find a friend asking to be introduced to other people, or perhaps asking to borrow money. Maybe they expect you to get them into exclusive parties, or perhaps they want you to pay for everything when you’re out socialising. These, too, should be seen as red flags. Friendship should be equally about giving as it is taking/receiving. If you think a friend takes more than they give, it may be time to re-evaluate the friendship.

You should also be mindful of how they talk about other people. If they regularly say rude, inappropriate or cruel things about others, it’s possible they talk about you behind your back in the same way.

On a similar note, pay attention to how they treat people in service positions. Those who are rude to waiters, bartenders, receptionists or the like are probably only nice to people they feel they can get things from. It’s another big red flag and should make you question the validity of your own relationship.

The reality is that is it often very difficult to know whether someone is genuine or not. It’s important to let people into our lives and to trust others, but it’s a good idea to keep an eye out for those who may be looking to take advantage of you because of your job.

Have you made any genuine friendships whilst working as a model? Do you think it is important to form relationships whilst on a shoot? Remember to be yourself in a professional way to encourage a positive environment to work in. Friendships might be formed with photographers, fashion designers or other roles that work in the industry and it is important to cherish these to succeed in the modelling world.

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