YES, VIRGIN ISLANDERS CAN MAKE IT BIG IN THE MODELING INDUSTRY, HERE’S HOW
Jenna-Monet, V. I. Model of the Year 2019, in Harper’s Bazaar. Photo courtesy of Jason Gardener.
When it comes to launching the careers of the next generation of models from the Virgin Islands, Jason Gardener, owner and producer of the V.I. Model of the Year Competition (one of many hats the CEO wears) is the local link to professional connections in major fashion markets like New York, Paris and Miami.
Just ask one of his biggest success stories to-date, St. Croix’s Jenna-Monet Queeley, who got her start in modeling as the V.I. Model of the Year 2019. Now, you’ll see Jenna as the beautiful face of some of the biggest fashion and beauty brands in the world and she has appeared in top magazines like Harper’s Bazaar and Caribbean Posh.
Jenna-Monet for COVERGIRL. Photo courtesy of Jason Gardener.
This weekend, Nov. 22 and 23, Mr. Gardener is holding auditions on St. Croix and St. Thomas, respectively, for the 13th Annual V.I. Model of the Year Competition, slated for April 10-12, 2026 on St. Croix. He invites local residents, or anyone with ties to the USVI or the BVI interested in modeling, to audition.
“This is an open audition—it’s for everybody,” he explains. “Even if you don’t have any experience, but you think this is something for you, we have training workshops that start in January that prepare everyone for the competition.”
“I’m looking for models that have not only a great look, but a great personality to go along with it,” he continues. “And the undiscovered talents we’re looking for, as well as there may be models that have been trying to get into the industry for years, especially the ones that are living in the states and are trying to break into the industry, but it’s hard, this is definitely the way.”
Egypt Jackson, the first V.I. Child Model of the Year 2014, on the box of Twinkie Glam Bracelets in Toys R Us nationwide. Photo courtesy of Jason Gardener.
Mr. Gardner is scouting participants in three categories: Children’s, Commercial and Fashion.
Children’s Division: ages 8-12, girls and boys; children with great smiles and great personalities.
Commercial Division: teens to young adults, females and males. Wide-ranging modeling look. Commercial models should have “great skin, great teeth, and great hair,” Mr. Gardener explains. No height requirement. These are models that have “that great commercial look about you that you can sell products,” he says.
Fashion Division: Females, age 17+ (through 20s & early 30s); height, 5’8” or taller; size, 0-6. Males, age 17+; height, 6’ or taller up to 6’4”. Waist, 28-34; Suit size, 38R – 42L.
“The fashion division, especially, is what we’re really hoping to achieve because we’re looking for the ones that really want to pursue modeling, that is willing to make the investment and effort to travel to whichever market is interested in them, and work and go on these castings to make this happen,” he says.
For the 2026 competition, Mr. Gardener says he would like to increase participation rates to where it was when the competition launched in 2014, but he remains focused on quality vs. quantity.
Abbie Leung-Massicott, V.I. Male Model of the Year 2022, modeling designer Carlton Jones. Photos courtesy of Jason Gardener.
“The most we’ve had in the past was 25 contestants and I would love to say, if we could get those numbers again, would be wonderful. But what I have come to realize in this day and age is the quality of contestants. If the number is small, but they have great quality, that’s also a blessing as well, because we’re looking for the talent, especially in the fashion division,” he says.
As for the audition itself, Mr. Gardener wants interested participants to simply come out and be seen. Participants will be asked general questions about themselves, will receive a commercial script to read, will be required to do a walking demonstration, and a few digital snapshots will be taken of them.
“Once you are selected, then we email the packet for you to review,” Mr. Gardner explains. “It contains a breakdown of costs, competition categories, list of prizes, et cetera.”
For models selected on St. Thomas, Mr. Gardener, who is based on St. Croix, will conduct a series of in-person and virtual trainings on the island.
Highlights of the three-day V.I. Model of the Year Competition, Apr. 10-12, will include a Red, Black & Silver Party on Friday night, an event where contestants come dressed in their best red, black and silver fashions. They introduce themselves to the public, as well as the agents in attendance, and also participate in a segment modeling local brands. Saturday morning is the one-on-one competition, where contestants meet and answer questions of the judges who will preside over the main competition that evening.
“This is by far one of the most important parts,” Mr. Gardener says of the one-on-one meeting with the judges. “Again, they are looking to see who is really ready for this opportunity.”
Jamal Cruickshank, V.I. Male Model of the Year 2015, at Paris Men’s Fashion Week. Photo courtesy of Jason Gardener.
The fashion-filled weekend concludes on Sunday morning with an island brunch at a local restaurant.
As part of the competition’s Grand Prize package, the winner in each division will receive round-trip airfare and more to New York City for summer 2026, to further enhance their skills and meet industry personnel.
“This upcoming year, it’s like a rebirth,” Mr. Gardener says. “We’re trying to elevate it back to the times where it was a big production—the hair, the makeup, the entertainment value, the stage, décor, the setting—full-on production.”
St. Croix auditions are Sat., Nov. 22 from 1-4 p.m. at JG Management studios in Mt. Pleasant, above Jane’s Bridal. St. Thomas, St. John and BVI auditions will be held on Sun., Nov. 23 from 1-4 at the Wynward Passage Hotel VIP Lounge.
Auditions are free and open to the public.
For full details, check out the audition flyer here and visit Mr. Gardener’s Facebook page for more of his great modeling success stories from the VI!