Hillis, Todd advance in Model Search quest

By Janice M. Howard / Style Editor for the Southern Standard

Following area Model Search auditions, Pamela Madison Brooke Todd has been selected to participate in the Millie Lewis American Modeling and Talent Convention being held in Charleston, S.C. in January 2003. She is the reigning Little Miss Warren County.

Kaylee Jade Hillis, 4, and Pamela Madison Brooke Todd, almost 6, are two little girls who enjoy all the games and favorite pastimes of other children their age – yet they have visions of bright lights, fashion runways and movie stardom.

Kaylee is the daughter of Dano and Misti Hillis and granddaughter of Joe and Brenda Harris, Danny and Dottie Hillis. Madison’s parents are Jason and April Todd and her grandparents are James and Pam Smartt, Eugene Womack, Julius Todd, David and Joy Key.

The McMinnville duo was among over 1,000 attending a Model Search in Murfreesboro where they were selected for auditions in Franklin. Although they were the youngest participants, they were chosen among the 20 finalists to go to the elite Millie Lewis American Modeling and Talent Convention held three time a year at various locations. Kaylee will be attending competition at The Marriott World Center in Orlando June 26 through 30 and Madison will go to Charleston, S.C., in January 2003.

This convention, offering four full days of workshops, competitions and interviews, is designed to showcase the best and brightest new models, actors and entertainers before more than 50 top world agents. It will involve commercial and television auditions, runway and photography shoots. Due to their age, Kaylee and Madison will memorize their scripts since they are too young to read well.

Many new models and performers have launched national and international careers following Millie Lewis AMT Conventions. Schools and agencies invited to attend are screened prior to participation.

Nis? Davies, owner of an area modeling and talent agency and a former Miss Tennessee USA, was an international model who has made over 100 commercials. Miss USA 2000 Lynette Cole was a 1997 AMT Convention contestant and Charlotte Dodds, who also went to a mall Model Search, is a successful cover model working in Paris, Milan, New York and Los Angeles. She is also being cast in movies and appears in TV commercials.

“We have given it a lot of thought, first checking out the agency with the Better Business Bureau, then decided to give it a shot,” said April Todd. “This is a great opportunity for anyone with hopes of making it in the modeling or entertainment business. For our daughter to be chosen with no modeling experience is an accomplishment within itself.”

Madison is the reigning Little Miss Warren County. She has participated in pageants since the age of two months and has won many titles.

Both Kaylee and Madison dream of becoming movie stars and their favorite parts of modeling are the runway and photo shoots. Madison says if this does not work out, she may become a dentist when she grows up, but Kaylee is sticking to her first goal.