Who:
Alek Zhelev — @xalekj — Bulgarian from Plovdiv, Bulgaria — born November 22nd — 186.5 cm / 6’1″ — he/him.

Where:
Ivet Fashion (Sofia – mother agency)

— What are 3 interesting facts about you?
1. My favourite painters are Frida Kahlo and Egon Schiele. I’ve always been fascinated by self-portraiture and how emotion can be expressed through the body.
2. I’m a night person. I’m drawn to the quiet and stillness of nighttime, even when I’m tired.
3. Cardio is my favourite part of training. I enjoy the mental clarity and rhythm it gives me.

— One thing people may be surprised to find out about you:
Most people are surprised to learn that I’m learning how to sew, draft patterns, and make my own pieces. I like studying runway collections and slowly exploring the creative process behind fashion whenever my schedule allows.

— How did you become a model?
While recovering from surgery, I came across an Instagram story from my mother agency searching for new faces. It felt like the right moment to step outside my comfort zone and explore something that genuinely interested me. It was my best decision yet.

Who:
Annissia Bonsu — @nissiboo — American from Virginia, USA — born December 31st — 175 cm / 5’9″ — she/her.

Where:
New Icon New York (mother agency), COVER MANAGEMENT (Paris),

— What’s a story your family/friends like to tell about you?
A story my mom really loves to tell is the time I wore my play Cinderella heels (or “clack-clack shoes” as I used to call them) to Pre-K. I broke one playing at recess, and the school provided me with whatever shoe they had, so I wasn’t barefoot—they put me in these light-up Sketchers with the Velcro strap for boys. I threw the biggest fit until they gave me my clack-clack shoes back. Broken and all, I would’ve much rather been barefoot if I couldn’t wear my clack-clack shoes.

— An issue or cause you are passionate about:
The fashion/beauty industry has come a long way, but there’s much more room for growth. As a woman of color, I feel called to be part of changing what the world standardizes as beautiful. Modeling is a platform for me to broadcast everything people made me feel ugly for and turn it into art. I believe I’m meant to play a big active role in doing exactly that and to be an inspiration to those who can relate, so they can understand where their beauty and uniqueness lie within and outside of them. Kind of like turning your “weaknesses” into superpowers.

— How did you become a model?
Since the age of 13 (2015), I’ve always known I wanted to move to NYC to become a model, but didn’t know exactly how. It seemed like back then, most models were getting discovered/scouted or got in through nepotism. So I just kept taking pictures nonstop, got more artistic with my shots, and connected with photographers until I had enough material to jump into the DC Market, which helped tremendously in building the courage and experience to try freelancing in NYC for the 1st time in 2021. This was my 2nd time visiting New York, but my 1st time chasing my dream there. After countless open castings and a few bookings, there was still so much more I felt like could be accomplished. After a much-needed mental health break in 2024, I returned to NYC with bigger intentions and a better mindset. I accidentally walked into the New Icon office the day before their actual casting for new faces, and they were about to send me away, but they invited me to sit down and interview. I followed up, and on Feb 9, 2024, I signed my contract with my 1st agency.

Who:
Ella Sanders — @ella.x.sanders — from Berlin, Germany — born July 21st — 176 cm / 5’9″ — she/her.

Where:
IZAIO Management (Berlin – mother agency), Metropolitan / M Management / Makers (Paris), Tank Agency (Milan)

— An issue or cause you are passionate about:
World Politics – through my family, I grew up talking about politics at the dinner table and having discussions. That’s why having opinions and being educated about impactful news is really important to me.

— How did you become a model?
I got scouted in London in 2023 while shopping with my friend, but because of the law and my age, I was not able to work with that agency, which inspired me to apply to agencies in Germany. Through all that, my biggest supporter and pusher was my best friend, who always told me how much potential she saw in me.

— The most interesting thing about your family:
One of my biggest role models and probably the coolest part of my family is my grandma. She grew up during the Second World War and was a refugee, but through her dedication and focus, she ended up working in an important role in one of the biggest political parties in Germany. She is the most powerful and intellectual woman I know, and that’s why she is one of my role models.

Who:
Emilia Bellfield — @emiliabellfield — Cypriot from Paphos, Cyprus — born January 4th — 177 cm / 5’9.5″ — she/her.

Where:
Faze Models (Berlin – mother agency)

— What are 3 interesting facts about you?
1. I was part of the Children’s Youth Parliament of Cyprus for 4 consecutive years.
2. I am heavily invested in Greek mythology.
3. I love reading and annotating books. Once I’ve finished one I love, I often write a personal essay about it, diving deeper into the meanings and cultural significance of the book.

— The most interesting thing about your family:
I have a wonderful blend of both European & Mediterranean aspects in my family. My mum is Czech, so getting to see snow, castles, and bears in Czechia was always wonderful. My dad is Cypriot. Cyprus was where I was born and raised. Around loud but warm people, swimming in the sea, and exploring the Troodos mountains. My family offered me two different worlds.

— One thing people may be surprised to find out about you:
I love writing poetry. It’s something I keep to myself, but it definitely intrigues people when I first tell them.

Who:
Jay Crowder — @jaay_.corn — American from Marshville, North Carolina, USA — born May 4th — 189 cm / 6’2.5″ — he/him.

Where:
Next New York, Next Paris, Next Milan

— How did you become a model?
Funny story, actually: an agent from my agency saw me on TikTok live once and came over from TikTok to my Instagram, telling me how I’d be an amazing model. It ended up taking me a super long time to reach back out because I didn’t know if it was 100% legit.

— What’s an essential part of your daily routine?
VASELINE VASELINE VASELINE… I use Vaseline every single day, whether it’s applying it to my face or just carrying around a smaller container for my lips. Tell them about me 😉

— An issue or cause you are passionate about:
I am a young BLACK man, and I am very passionate about Justice, Equality, and Pride for the black and brown community.

Who:
Kier Wiyual — @fearrkiizz — American from Fort Worth, Texas, USA — born September 18th — 190 cm / 6’3″ — he/him.

Where:
Next LA (Los Angeles), Autre Management (Kansas City – mother agency)

— What is your biggest irrational fear?
Butterflies. It first started off with that SpongeBob episode with the butterfly in Bikini Bottom. Then, a couple of years later, my family went to the zoo, and we went into a butterfly exhibit, which was the worst experience ever! I ran out so fast I left my 2-year-old sister in there alone.

— Tell us about your hometown.
My hometown is Omaha, Nebraska. The best thing about it is the community and friends that I’ve built throughout my time living there, and also Terrence Crawford and Timeout Chicken! The worst part is that the city doesn’t have anything fun to do besides hang out with your friends. We have no pro teams, no nice hangouts, and the downtown best attraction is construction zones.

— One thing people may be surprised to find out about you:
I’m pretty good at skateboarding. I’ve been skating on and off since I was about 11.