Life as a Male Model, Berthold Rothas

Gloobbi recently chatted with model Berthold Rothas to get some insight about the life of an international male model, his perception of the fashion world and his overall experience in the industry.

To all aspiring models, pay heed, Rothas warns you that while his line of work has allowed him to travel the world over and experience many exciting adventures early on in his life, it is not as ritzy and lucrative has it may appear to the naked eye.

Million dollar contracts are stringently limited and bookings at some of the highest brands in the industry does not necessarily result in a life of abundance and unmeasured pleasures.

Ultimately, Rothas considers modeling as a life changing experience that has helped him grow as an individual part of a larger unit.

In keeping with this month’s theme of spreading the holiday spirit, Rothas also shared with us his top ten items on his “Wish List” for the holiday season. Those items are on the link entitled “More Photos Here” above.

Below is a transcript of the interview with Rothas:

1) How long have you been modeling?

Two Years

2) What have been your highest highlights in the business?

Working with the best in the industry, from top brands, artists and other key figures in the fashion world.

3) What has been your lowest period?

Not working at all!

4) What do you think of the fashion industry?

The fashion industry is like a big, loud circus in which you are accomplished when you manage to make - whether oneself, or the brand look better than it actually is.

5) Who do you admire most in the business?

Creative and inspired people that are in fashion for the right reasons.

6) Is modeling everything you expected it to be?

No, I always thought that booking on that level you would get paid more. Do not get me wrong, I feel very fortunate to get to travel the world as much and I had a few jobs that actually paid me very well, however in these days everyone is trying to cut down the budget to save money and a model’s rate is apparently a good place to start with.

We might look like a million bucks, but no one is going to throw money on you, unless they don’t necessarily have to, and Million-Dollar contracts are very far from reality for most of us.

7) What is the most exciting thing about being a male model?

There are many…

Change, I would say. It literally changed me. It’s been like the most intense time of my life and it feels like I’ve seen and experienced more in the past two years than in all my life before…

Then the traveling of course, spending a few weeks in one place, and when you’re bored you make a phone call and just hop on the plane off to somewhere else.

Work is always fun, too. People you deal with are mostly motivated and excited about what they are doing…

What do you mean by “change,” can you give us an example?

There is a story that just comes to my mind-

One time in Paris I was staying with this plastic surgeon. He was in his 50’s and his place was way better than what they usually put me in. It was very big for a Paris apartment, spacious living room, very high-end entertainment system, huge LCD TV, newest technology everything and like a million DVD and Blu-Rays. He seemed to make a lot of money from what he was doing.

One evening we had a conversation and I asked him why he has all these empty bedrooms and he said he was in the middle of a divorce and his kids just got taken away from him. He felt a bit lonely, so not necessarily for the money, but for entertainment and good company he thought he could rent them out to models.

He didn’t really know much about modeling, so he asked me about it. I told him about my lifestyle and he said “What a great way to start off a life. I wished I could live like that.”

That freedom, not being attached to anything and having very few responsibilities really is one of the best things modeling offers you and that conversation made very much aware of that!

9) What will you do after your modeling career?

The best I possibly can.

10) What is your favorite movie, song and book?

Song: Always Love, Nada Surf
Movie: The Big Lebowski
Book: The Alchemist, Paulo Coelho

11) What do you think of other male models in the business?

We’re all in the same boat, I’m good friends with most of them, and great friends with a few of them.

12) What is your favorite fashion label?

I honestly don’t care much about labels.

To learn more about Berthold Rothas and to see more images of previous work, check out his website HERE.

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