Brooks Marks has experienced his fair share of ups and downs in the modeling industry.
The son of “Real Housewives of Salt Lake City” star Meredith Marks — who recently re-signed with Ford Models, resuming a career that began at age 7 — says on Pvnew’s “Virtual Reali-Tea” podcast that he endured cruel comments about his appearance when meeting with other agencies.
“I’ve had agencies say things to me that I thought were a little out of line — and that’s why I’m so glad to sign with Ford because I feel so comfortable with them,” says the 23-year-old, who also runs an eponymous fashion brand.
“I’ve had an agency say that I needed to get my hairline fixed. I’ve had an agency say I needed to go to the gym more.”
In one meeting with a modeling agency, Brooks was told he looked “so hungover” and was pressed about his partying habits.
“They go … ‘Did you have wild night?’” he tells us. “And I was like, ‘No. I was up ’til, like, 12 working and then got here at 10.’”
Brooks says his self-esteem took a hit from such remarks — but only temporarily.
“I definitely have my moments. I think everyone does, regardless of how confident they seem,” says the New York City resident.
“Hearing comments like that from an agency, like, ‘OK, onto the next.’ I don’t want to be signed with someone who doesn’t see the value I bring.”
Brooks further explains that his adjacency to reality TV fame has impacted his outlook on other people’s opinions — especially the negative ones.
“Over the past few years, it’s been really crazy with everything going on with my mom being pushed further into the public sphere in such a drastic way,” he says. “If you let criticism from other people affect you … you won’t be in a healthy mental state.”
At Ford, Brooks feels no pressure to fit a certain mold, asserting that the modeling industry at large has evolved “in a better way” over the years.
“I modeled from ages, like, 7 to 12, then I got braces and was going through an awkward stage,” he says, acknowledging a previous hiatus during his teen years.
“And now I know that models literally get hired because they have braces,” Brooks notes. “It’s not as cutthroat in terms of the image that they want.”
As the founder of his own label — a line of tracksuits that has expanded into more athleisure wear and accessories — Brooks is enjoying playing muse for other designers.
“Being able to just go in front of the camera and seeing what someone else’s creative vision is and having someone else essentially make you their ideal brand representative is so cool to see,” he says.
“And I love that aspect of modeling. It doesn’t feel like work to me. It’s just so fun and I love it.”
