Shows like “America’s Next Top Model” have claimed to demystify the model mill by opening the doors to all, but most models aren’t made, they’re scouted, chosen for their features and their willingness to be molded.
“Scouted” shows the work that “America’s Next Top Model” all but denies. It focuses on regional scouts who look for girls at malls and track meets and anywhere else the could-be-beautiful young people congregate. In a fundamentally predatory industry these are the first hunters.
When Page Parkes — who calls scouting “a human treasure hunt” — visits the home of a 15-year-old named Gillian, the girl’s father, Jim, asks, “Did you just upset our world over here?”
Gillian’s meet-cute with destiny isn’t as bumpless as portrayed on this show. Ms. Parkes appears to pluck her from an open call, but Gillian has been involved with Ms. Parkes’s company since at least the summer of 2009.
“She has a magical little face,” Ms. Parkes says. “Between a pretty girl and a tomboy.”
Gillian is grateful to have such a face, even if she didn’t quite earn it
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