Since he was a young boy, Henry Dansicker knew that his dreams were far too big for his small hometown. In search of excitement, creative inspiration and diversity, Henry moved to New York City to receive his college education at New York University. There, he has realized his full potential and gained more confidence than ever to be his authentic self. Henry found a creative outlet through modeling and fashion in NYC, and now, he shares his personal experiences with us.
Her Campus (HC): How would you say that your past life experiences led to your decision to move to NYC for school?
Henry Dansicker (HD): That’s a great question. NYC is a drastically different environment from where I was raised. I grew up going to a small religious private school in Maryland, where I was used to being in a sort of “bubble,” separate and secure from the outside world. Not only was I very familiar with everybody in my school community, but I was also constantly surrounded by people that were culturally like me. I felt restricted, there was only so much that I could achieve creatively in that homogenous setting. I became fascinated with exploring perspectives different from my own and broadening my horizons, so I decided to try something new. I visited NYU for a week-long summer learning program during my sophomore year of high school, and it gave me a taste of what life in the city could be like. I learned to balance schoolwork and my social life, all while finally experiencing a new environment filled with so many diverse people. I think after that, I came home knowing I would return to NYC for college.
HC: Wow! Tell me about how you became interested in modeling.
HD: Well, a younger version of myself wouldn’t believe it. In middle school and throughout most of high school, I could have never envisioned myself as a model. I had very low self-esteem. As a young man discovering my sexuality in a religious school, it was hard. The school didn’t cover topics regarding gender expression or sexuality. All that I knew was the expectation that my school administration and classmates had set for boys to look and act a certain way. I felt unattractive and insecure when I conformed to that standard to fit in. It was only once I began exploring mediums outside of school, watching shows like Ru Paul’s Drag Race and America’s Next Top Model, that I realized that I could be and dress however I feel right. I got a big surge of confidence from the media and LGBT representation that I was observing, and I realized that fashion and modeling could be a great creative outlet for me. Once I started styling my outfits and my hair a certain way, I gained a lot more confidence. I became really interested in taking pictures of myself for social media and eventually, I reached out to a professional photographer to do my first photoshoot. My journey kicked off from there.
HC: That’s fascinating. When you got to NYC for school, did you start seeking out modeling jobs?
HD: Well, honestly after that first photo shoot and when I first got to NYC, I stopped prioritizing modeling. I was focused on work and getting settled into the city, so I put it on the back burner. I also felt a bit discouraged by the fact that I don’t belong to a modeling agency. Models that I had reached out to for advice told me that to book gigs, I needed representation, but no matter how many agencies I applied to, I never received a response. So, I lost patience with the waiting game and quit for a while. But then, one day, a photographer who had been following my Instagram messaged me asking if I wanted to be a part of her photoshoot, and I agreed. After working together, she informed me about various open-call modeling castings for New York Fashion Week (NYFW) that she thought I would be perfect for. That was a very valuable lesson about the importance of networking. I spontaneously went to one of the castings she suggested and started getting back into it.
HC: How would you describe the open-call modeling castings? I’d imagine they’re intimidating.
HD: Oh, for sure, they’re very intimidating. Hundreds of people show up for the open-call auditions, so before you even get into the casting room, you’re standing in line surrounded by gorgeous people who are essentially your competition. Approximately 15 out of the hundreds of models get chosen, so it’s small odds. However, after going to numerous castings, I realized that everyone is in the same boat and extremely supportive of one another. I’ve made some great friendships and connections in those lines. Once you get inside the casting room, it’s also quite intimidating. You’re split up into a small group, put in front of a panel, and quickly judged based on your look and attitude. You have to make the best possible impression on these strangers in less than five minutes.
HC: What do you think is the most important thing to say or do when trying out for a modeling gig?
HD: As cliché as it sounds, being yourself is the way to win the casting directors over. You are doing a major disservice to you, to the casting people, and to everyone involved in the project if you go in there and pretend to be someone you’re not. Casting directors hire you based on who you are, the feelings that you evoke with your walk, your attitude, and with your look. If on the runway or at a photoshoot you aren’t the same person as you were at the casting, then you aren’t doing their vision justice. If you continue auditioning for gigs as your authentic self, I’m a strong proponent that someone will want what you can provide.
HC: That’s very insightful. Have you landed any modeling gigs yourself?
HD: I actually did! After putting in so much time and effort, I finally landed one. I walked in a NYFW runway show for Phantom on Sept. 18th. It was my first time walking a runway as a model, and it was so exciting!
HC: That is absolutely amazing! What advice would you give to other bright-eyed young aspiring models?
HD: Accept and be open to whatever the outcome of each audition may be. Be patient because if something is meant to be, then it will be. With enough hard work, effort, and consistency, you can do anything, but make sure that you’re still having fun because that’s really what makes it all worth it!
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