iPOP! 2007 CROWNS FASHION MODEL EMILY ELLIS AS  FEMALE MODEL OF THE YEAR

John Robert Powers’ Atlanta Modeling School Student Wins Modeling Award and Swimsuit Contract at iPOP Awards

(Los Angeles, January 22, 2007) –iPOP!, the premiere nationwide modeling and talent competition, announces Emily Ellis at its’ Female Model of the Year.  Emily received the title at this year’s annual iPOP showcase held in Los Angeles.  Amongst the guest of over 2,000 aspiring young singer, modeling, acting, and dancing performers, John Robert Powers fashion modeling school student Emily Ellis was presented with the Model of the Year award by swimsuit fashion designer Robin Piccone during the Showcase Awards Ceremony held in the grand ballroom of the Century City Plaza Hotel on January 8, 2007.

The 5’10, nineteen-year old brunette print and runway model originally from Monroe, Alabama first discovered her desire to be a model at an early age.  Emily recalls, “I would dress up and play in front of the mirror all the time.  My family and I would make home movies with me starring and playing in front of the camera.  Modeling and acting was everything that I always wanted to do but my mom wanted to wait for me till I was older to make my own decision about entering the industry.”  While driving home from attending classes at Auburn University, Emily heard an ad on the radio that the local Atlanta John Robert Powers modeling and acting school was looking for new talent.

Emily found herself with a full scholarship to attend runway and acting training classes after meeting with John Robert Powers representative who were taken by her natural beauty and natural talent for modeling.  “Although she walked in with confidence about herself, Emily still needed to gain the overall confidence that can command the runway and project far beyond the camera,” her teachers describe.

“The training that I have received has been phenomenal.  I have gained so much confidence for myself and that has really kept me grounded and determined during competitions.  Without that, I don’t think I would have gotten as far as I have.”
On awards night when Emily heard her name for Female Model of the Year, she fought to hold back tears of joy and excitement.  “I was shocked that I’ve won simply because I was not expecting anything.  I was there to give it my all and have fun and all of a sudden I start winning awards and the next thing you know I have a modeling contract.”

Designer Robin Piccone, who was selected to have her swimsuit designs featured in iPOP’s Runway Fashion Show during Awards Night saw Emily as her first choice when looking for a fresh face model that she wanted featured for her Fall 2007 line in addition for Emily to model in Miami for her runway show.  “I was struck by Emily’s natural grace and beauty and immediately knew that she would be perfect for my upcoming project.” Robin says.  “The way Emily presents herself and her ability to be so photogenic and expressive perfectly fits how I feel I want my designs to come across.” Robin Piccone is one the fastest growing swimwear lines in the country having designed swimwear and swim related sportswear for over 20 years.
Robin Piccone is the largest resource in Nordstrom and whose designs can be found in Saks Fifth Avenue and Bloomingdales and has been featured in “Seventeen Magazine,” “Vogue”, “Lucky” and the “Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition”

For the Award Ceremony’s fashion show, Suzanne Von Schaack a former John Robert Powers student and veteran in the field of fashion/runway productions, was invited by iPOP to put on a fashion show that would incorporate all spectrums of entertainment. As a working model, actress, teacher, and spokeswoman, Suzanne Von Schaack’s impressive career has spanned through all facets of the fashion world, a quality that iPOP’s producers wanted her to bring to their showcase.  Suzanne created an emergence of fashion and theatre while telling a story using music and fashion inspiration from the film “Moulin Rouge”, with dancers and clothing matching with the show’s themes of the “Can Can” featuring Alec Adorian’s evening gowns, “Diamonds”, Robin Piccone’s swimsuit show set to the tango music of “Roxanne”, and “Hindu”.  With a cast of 30 models and a total of 5 hours of rehearsal, Suzanne was able to produce a stunning spectacle that helped iPOP’s Award show become the most lavish and stunning event as of to date.  “I am always proud when students that I work with have gone on to do great things and Emily is not an exception.  I see great things for her and she will definitely impress everyone that works with her!”

For Emily, iPOP is just the beginning of newfound opportunities.  As she is preparing to move to Los Angeles in a matter of days in preparation to meet with various designers and agents, she could never have imagined the success without the training and exposure that she received with her John Robert Powers training. John Robert Powers Schools are conveniently located across the country and internationally, and offer child, teen, and adult acting training courses and related personality development programs.

Billed as a unique training program, iPOP! provides participants hours of one-on-one training with top professionals in all mediums of entertainment. iPOP!’s goal is to prepare aspiring performers to meet perspective agents, managers and casting directors.
Previous attendees successfully landed lucrative modeling assignments and performance bookings across the country as well as have gained representation by the biggest agencies Hollywood and New York has to offer.

Performers who are passionate about their talent and are driven to acquire the experience and training needed in preparation for an agent were all welcomed to participate.  Students encountered the critical eyes of over one hundred of the entertainment industries’ most influential agents, managers, and casting directors who attended the audition and coaching sessions.  A final night awards ceremony included a Talent Showcase and Fashion Show.  Performers were selected for this showcase throughout the week based on their coaching and audition sessions.  VIP judges selected the overall Top Female & Male Model as well as a Top Female & Male Talent for the event.

John Robert Powers is one of many modeling and acting schools that fully supports iPOP! and its vision.