Wilhelmina only ate twice a week! The face behind the iconic modeling agency & her crazy diet!

[@KarineAlourde]

“Seize the moment. Because if you don't, there's always another girl waiting right behind you breathing over your shoulder.” -Wilhelmina C.. watch this video next “Gia Carangi supermodel who died of AlDS at 26 had final warning for the industry!” kzbin.info/www/bejne/p6q9Zaxrq6mkpKs

[@sheng3229]

This quote is very true, it’s something I’m starting to learn to do more often. Thank you for the video Karine, hope you’re having a amazing Monday love ❤

[@JuliaShalomJordan]

Dang, don’t u know it, Wilhelmina.🤯

[@60wwediva]

That is the epitome of the toxicity of the modeling industry.

[@CharlesTremblay-hj6qc]

that's why you get your PHD and you don't give a damn about the next pretty ingénue

[@emmalancaster2013]

Wasn’t Gia a heroin addict, which led to her contracting AIDS?

[@JohnVKaravitis]

She had been made so obsessive over her weight that she lived off of cigarettes and coffee. She died of lung cancer in 1980, age 40. 40. Let that sink in, whenever you find yourself wishing you could be just as self-disciplined as she was.

[@annalise53]

40!😮

[@justpeachy4851]

It's crazy but it's kind of like Betty Draper on Mad Men. They would rather die beautiful than get old.

[@audaciousred]

Yes but look at the life she lived in such a short period of time. Most people don't get to live a lifestyle like that, they lead long and boring lives, she also never had to grow old although she had enough money said she could have had surgery to stay youthful-looking

[@m.m.m531]

@@ropi8739exactly

[@brendakabanda2181]

😢😢😢 40, that is beyond sad.

[@terrytaylor5192]

That’s crazy. I’ve heard of the agency but I am just finding out it was an actual person. What a shame. Thank you for this video.

[@MsEbones]

Same

[@shavonnestacia2865]

I found out when I watched "Gia"

[@lghooked3917]

I know right 😮

[@MiamiGirl123]

Children’s div wee willys

[@brandyw.7943]

​@@shavonnestacia2865 I have the movie I did some research on Whilmena to see everything was true.

[@dejagreen806]

All the big time models who were not blonde hair and blue eyed and were “ethnic” looking basically signed to Wilhelmina after being rejected by Eileen Ford. I love that she gave models who were not of the traditional beauty standards a chance. She really created a lot of household names in the modeling world.

[@Gobble_de_Goop]

Janice Dickinson signed with Wilhelmina after being rejected by Eileen Ford.

[@a.johnson1860]

This is 100% true!

[@SocialExperiment232]

That’s actually funny what it used to be like that because I auditioned with them and was told I was not what they were looking for even tho I am of multiple ethnicities and definitely look ethnic. I never really understood what they meant.

[@WokOverEasy]

@@SocialExperiment232it probably doesn’t have anything to do with your ethnicities but they didn’t feel you had what it took. Not everyone is cut out for it

[@SocialExperiment232]

@@WokOverEasy yeah maybe lol

[@alixedent7127]

My father's younger sister was a Wilhelmina model and at a hair over 6 feet was pressurised constantly to reduce her weight even though she was already super-skinny. Stimulant abuse and extreme dieting was the order of the day. Yes, Wilhelmina was beautiful but at what cost? I remember spending Xmas there as a kid and although the table was groaning under the weight of beautiful food, my aunt sipped champagne and nibbled on salad leaves while we all pigged out! At 5' 11" myself, I also wanted to go into modelling as a younger woman and my dad was dead set against it due to the depredations that the industry wrought on his sister. Some part of me wishes I could have been a part of that world while the majority of me senses that I definitely dodged a bullet. Thanks for the video.

[@tarabooartarmy3654]

When I was around 19 or 20, I was approached by a modeling agency recruiter and handed a card. He said, “You have amazing cheekbones. If you lose 20 pounds, give me a call.” I ripped up his card and threw it at him. First of all, I’m not losing weight to please anybody but myself. Secondly, I’m 5’ 4”. The best I could have hoped for as a model would have been low-end catalog work. I also knew it was entirely possible he was a scammer or just trying to funnel people into one of those expensive modeling schools like Barbizon. There are lots of easier ways to earn money without starving yourself, so I’m not sure why so many people are dead set on modeling.

[@dariamorgandorfer6918]

good for you! I went to school with a famous model. As a teen she had huge mental issues. She was constantly looking for attention, a bully, troublemaker. She had an abusive husband, suicide attempt. She then became a famous model, but she was better than everyone & and "didn't remember" her classmates. She worked for years in Europe. She now is in Texas doing go fund me for her car air conditioning, broken leg and living with her sister. I just can't imagine how she's lived. So sad. You would think she would have made some money. She was really thin earlier, but is obese now. I guess she just fell for it, sad.@@tarabooartarmy3654

[@Blabette]

@@dariamorgandorfer6918 Name?

[@tarabooartarmy3654]

@@Blabette not sure who the model is, but I’m guessing the GoFundMe is the one posted by someone named Travis Coulter since all the details match. Might also be Brianna Dickson, though that’s GFM is closed now.

[@tarabooartarmy3654]

@@Run4yourlives a friend of mine had a similar experience. She was 5’ 5” and 114 pounds and was told to lose at least 10 pounds.

[@PandaA-cv3mm]

I was signed with Wilhelmina as a teenager in NYC. They made me stop working out and told me I had too many muscles at 15…lol. They had the audacity to tell me I had a great body for a stripper but not a model. Mind you I didn’t know what that even was 😂 I was fit and healthy and I was a competitive swimmer. So…..fast forward: I became anorexic and bulimic. Yes, I made money and got semi famous but it wasn’t worth it. It’s all such an illusion. There is a very very dark underbelly that no one speaks about. Many have been through terrible eating disorders and drug habits all to be unnaturally thin. I wish the modelling world had unions like we do with SAG/ AFTRA. Great video 😊New subscriber! 🙏💜

[@kathryn1304]

I hope you were able to relearn healthy habits for yourself.

[@Liz-wz8dh]

Even though it's not spoken about enough, I think it is fairly common knowledge that models starve themselves to stay that thin. It's just not spoken about in-depth as to what that looks like for these poor, suffering models. I am really grateful that in the last few years models are more honest about how much Photoshop goes into those magazine covers so people stop comparing themselves to unrealistic beauty standards.

[@PandaA-cv3mm]

@@Liz-wz8dh Very well said, Liz! Hugs to you 🥰💜

[@maryjomichele]

Now they have osteoporosis. I found this out the hard way, from eating disorder.

[@tobiasisback4605]

I don’t believe you. You are a tub of guts.

[@brucekentnyc]

My question is, what made you decide to dive deep into the life of celebs? You go after some of the most profound people in different entertainment worlds. You don't just pick the easy ones that most people know. You give insight into people that some celebs mold themselves after. Keep up the fantastic work Ms. Alourde.

[@sandraperkins203]

I totally agree this chanel's content is amazing. Detailed sophisticated informative. Even though many of the profiles are about people Im aware of. But I learn something new when I tune in.👍🌻

[@irshgrl500]

What a lovely compliment.

[@redbluebae4397]

Yes hear hear

[@irshgrl500]

@AM-uh7mv I read books, voraciously. Please stop being so demeaning to people: A.) You don't know. B.) To people who are giving simple, kind compliments.

[@sarahs5340]

I’ve wondered the same thing. So much goes into these videos!

[@gabrielle916]

To have died at 40 is so tragic. A gorgeous woman. Heard of the modeling company but didn't know it was a woman who too was a model. Great work K!

[@garrettchristensen8074]

Models are like bodybuilders. The look good, or at least get paid too, but are some of the most unhealthy people around.

[@1315storm]

Oh wow! She’s gorgeous. Nice to know the lady behind the agency… never even occurred to me she was an actually person and not a company name.. thanks for another great video Karine!

[@KarineAlourde]

I know right, I was pleasantly surprised that she was an actual person. And a wholesome person too. ❤

[@malenyluna5275]

Same😮

[@emmalancaster2013]

She was absolutely gorgeous. Probably uppers to keep her awake & kill her appetite; downers to help her sleep.

[@veem8497]

Her story always fascinated me. I cannot imagine existing on coffee and cigarettes for the sake of beauty. You just have to wonder what drove her to such extremes.

[@PlutosMoon22]

"Drove her to" is right! ....or, what was she "running from" that could've been most powerful.

[@Chutney1luv]

She did it just to not eat food! Smoking made her lose her appetite. She had to stay slim!!

[@celesteadeanes4478]

the cruel truth . if she had not left early she would have lost her health and looks. Its so wrong @@Chutney1luv

[@emmalancaster2013]

Men and money

[@junejunejuniejune]

Ironic that what she did for the sake of beauty (coffee and cigarettes) would have aged her more rapidly.

[@SewardWriter]

The more I learn about the modelling industry, the scarier it gets. Growing up in WWII much have got her used to starvation and rarely eating. Imagine what she could have done if she'd been allowed to eat on a daily basis and really fuel her brain!

[@celestialcircledance]

I just don't get it unless it's exaggerated . She's done way more than me on a full tank and if I were on her diet I'd be comatose.

[@Catherine-u8l]

Twice a week is absurd. But we eat FAR too much!

[@chocothebananacat7686]

​@user-bw2zt5jd9u It's not necessarily that we eat too much (although many people do), it's that we don't exercise anywhere near as much as we used to.

[@نجمة-ت8د]

@@Catherine-u8lthis is completely false a large amount of the world is malnourished and food insecure

[@barcelonachair6487]

She was German not in an interment camp. My grandparents used rations stamps but they didn't starve.

[@Chutney1luv]

I can't imagine eating twice a week. The starvation and smoking ultimately gave her lung cancer! She was the jewel and the crown of a beautiful model. Wilhelmina's star will always shine! R.I.P. Queen.. 🙏⭐️🙏

[@Inismoon]

People have no idea what we eat or don't eat, which affects our bodies positive or negative.

[@a.r.tavares1322]

I bet she could have remained thin without going to such extreme lenghts.

[@Violet-qf8dr]

I think she would have been more attractive if she wasn't as thin.

[@RationalNon-conformist]

Only obese people can do this because they have body fat to burn through.

[@joannsmith3589]

she died at 40... so that tells you anything you need to know about this diet

[@MinnieBlues4444]

She was incredible. When I was a kid my mom got Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, Glamor, Mademoiselle magazines. I cut her pics out and idolized her. I was a skinny teen and wanted so be a model, but I was 5"7" with a chest. I did do some modeling but not the high fashion I wanted. I went to NYC at 25 (over the hill for models). Needless to say I'm thrilled you're featuring Wilhelmina. To me, she'll always be #1. Thank you.

[@ryanlewandowsky2077]

She definitely was incredible especially since her starting her own modeling agency was soo extraordinary during that time. The fact she did it while eating like 1000 calories a week? Don’t know if you feel lucky to have not become a high fashion model but honestly it seems like a very sick profession so bullet dodged!

[@MinnieBlues4444]

@ryanlewandowsky2077 I starved all the time. Modeled mostly in Seattle. NYC is hard to break into. These days models do not need to be bone thin, and healthy food has evolved.

[@ryanlewandowsky2077]

@@MinnieBlues4444 based on these criteria I believe you when you say starving. I know currently all of us may throw that word out there when we mean hungry but when we’re talking about maintaining an underweight body for 20+ years starving really is the best term and it’s no way to live.

[@MinnieBlues4444]

@ryanlewandowsky2077 Now I'm old and skinny and wish I hadn't starved. Good to have padding 😃

[@LEvans-vg7sp]

Only 40 years old smh. She pushed her body to the limit. That’s so sad. She was stunning! Thanks for this video. I’ve always heard about her but never seen her or heard the story.

[@dianabryan7421]

A lot of women back then had to credit their husband's for their intellect and success. So sad we all know who the brains behind the operation really was.

[@ryanlewandowsky2077]

Excellent point especially considering she had the contacts and knowledge of the industry. Gosh things change and for the better but as such a successful woman she probably had to diminish herself so her husband could cope. I know only a few women currently who do a version of that but I believe it’s way less common today!

[@alexandermccready3550]

No you!!! Ha ha he he

[@Andwhataboutithuh]

Not much has changed.

[@watchinvidzwatchinvidz7691]

Yeah now we oppress men. Especially white men.

[@natalier7204]

Wilhelmina was the brains with the experience. Bruce was an abusive alcoholic.

[@TheRelizabeth]

Older woman here..fyi.. models were always very slim until Twiggy and it got so much worse. I remember reading Seventeen magazine and a model/ actress on the cover had an interview inside. She claimed that she understood what it was like to be fat..at 5’10” she once weighed 130 lbs. I was 5’7” and weighed 125 lbs. I was thunderstruck. I thought…I’m hideous! My friends and I didn’t eat. I look back at pictures of us..we constantly worried about how “fat” we were. I don’t blame Twiggy. She was very young and naturally very thin. I wish all women could look in the mirror and see how beautiful they really are. This is madness and I can’t believe it’s still going on. Please, just be happy and enjoy your life. Don’t let others, the fashion industry or any partner you have put you down. There’s lots of people out there that will love you just the way you are. ❤️❤️

[@kaioiamo1503]

I had a friend who was told that she must be able to have a quarter between legs by NYC agencies. Wanted her to lose 20 more pounds at 5’10 which would have made her dangerously under weight. The modeling industry is scary!

[@mmr7484]

Thigh Gap?

[@kaioiamo1503]

@@mmr7484 yep that skinny

[@Sincerely_SweetAesthete]

A quarter between the legs?that's nothing

[@MissMollyCohen]

She had a very symmetrical face, making her so attractive.

[@pagemastrogiovanni9195]

I suggest you do a video on Bethann Hardison, another model who went from model to owning her own modeling agency in NYC. Bethann is Kadeem Hardison's (actor on a Different World) mom. Veronica Webb was one of the models in her agency. I thought about this when you did Veronica Webb's story. During the time I was wanting to become a supermodel, I wrote to Bethann and she wrote me back the nicest note ever. She encouraged me to go to college first and then pursue modeling in NYC.

[@intentionallyleftblank3016]

Love hearing that! Good advice too! 💌📫

[@honorables9485]

I tried eating two times a day and I failed😂😂. And miss ma'am ate TWO TIMES a week😮

[@KarineAlourde]

Lol 😂😂 not two times a day. Yeah I don’t know how she survived that long. It’s so sad.

[@SomewhataMystery]

I have heard some models eat baby food , even yogurts , eat banana slices , smoothies. Still gotta eat. She may been fed through a tube in tummy.

[@SomewhataMystery]

Or fed with a IV cause that be the only way

[@Inismoon]

The number of people who are obese 40lbs over healthy weight is obese in this country is mind-blowing. 🤯

[@CocoChanelle-1]

Nicotine cuts your appetite and that’s what they used back then. Then some models started using coc@ine to cut their appetite and developed addictions. There are some natural things to cut the appetite like coffee, black tea or Garciana gambogia or cayenne pepper.

[@Lilmisscostumedrama]

What I really like about her is that she kinda looks ethnically ambiguous. I know Wilhemena is dutch but she looks like she could be Italian, Spanish, maybe a little middle eastern…I think that was a big part in her popularity, it didn’t matter where the magazine was she was in; a lot of women could see themselves in her presentation.

[@universalsoldier2293]

Insane. Reminds me of Jackie O who also had a very strict, controlled diet. They must have had chronic headaches and no joy in their lives, not to mention all the health problems that come with starvation and likely use of pills.

[@linniem5982]

Jackie O's mother told her to never go over 120 pounds and she stuck with that. She also smoked. She also ruined her health and died with cancer. She burned her candle at both ends, but was it worth it?

[@KaarinaKimdaly]

​@@linniem5982 Plus she had to put up with a philandering husband, who was later assassinated as she sat by him, and those pesky paparazzi. I see nothing admirable in the life of Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis Templeman, but it must have been an excruciatingly difficult life. I am sure she had her virtues, I just am not aware of them.

[@Schmoityface]

She ate every day though, and good food, and a variety of food too.

[@carolking6355]

Those flashing lights were dreadful, distracting and give those prone to seizures to have one. Most people put up warning signs that they are there.

[@carolmanning8367]

I agree, not necessary, distracts from the images showing. I thought it was just me.😂😂😂

[@amythompson6869]

My twins were signed with Wilhelmina modeling agency for a while. Such a scam! We paid,paid,paid and never got any work. Now looking at all of the child trafficking etc. I’m happy we got out of it. I was hoping to make some money for their future college education but I would’ve been better off investing that money.

[@maddfinn11]

Wow can I ask how long you were signed with them and what they had you guys paying for? That's crazy that's such a well respected modeling agency can do that.

[@amythompson6869]

@@maddfinn11 my kids were about 8 or 10. They are beautiful is I do say so myself. Lol. Seriously though we were always getting compliments everywhere we went so I got this bright idea that maybe they could make a little money to put back for college. Wrong! A woman named Stephanie Stein was the owner. She apparently had just purchased the company name same as if you bought into a fast food franchise. I didn’t even know they did that. We live in a small WV town and had to drive 2 hours each way to go there every time we had to meet with her,get pictures etc. She had a girl with a camera go around town and do photo shoots with the kids in different outfits then charged us $200 for doing it and $500 for comp cards which had the different poses on it. Every time you go to a job you take one of those to give them. When we got our daughter’s they were about 25 cards like you can print at Walmart. We never did receive my son’s cards. Then there were the sessions where we’d drive clear up there and they’d sit around a table with other kids practicing reading these fake commercial lines. The really big thing was this convention in Atlanta where we had to pay $2,000 to stay at this big hotel but couldn’t enjoy any time we were there because you had to sit through these grueling lectures etc. They had one little catwalk for the kids to take turns walking down so these supposed scouts could see if they were worthy of signing or not. We had to wait until they posted the kids’ names who were worthy of getting a quick interview with each company that was supposedly represented. Our kids got only one interview which nothing ever came of. Later I realized we’d have been way ahead to have taken all that money and put it into a high interest savings account or something. At least we’d still have our money. Oh and for some reason they didn’t want the parents to get to know each other or talk outside of readings. But we did! A few years later I found out that not one kid ever got called for any auditions. I felt so stupid and used. About a year later the building her business was in in Columbus,Ohio burned to the ground. Hmmmmmmm.🤔 I also have a friend who has identical twin girls. Beautiful, blonde very cute! In HS her girls were approached by a modeling agency too. They took some photos but then wanted them to go to I think it was Japan or the Philippines to do a shoot. Only catch was their mom wasn’t allowed to go! Of course she refused but now as I see the movie Sound of Freedom I often wonder. I shudder to think they could’ve been kidnapped so easily. Be very wary of ANY modeling “agencies “ because more often than not it’s a scam. And they may be out for more than your money. Hope this helped elaborate on our experience.

[@Kinne2002]

@@maddfinn11I'm a Wilhelmina model my mom also was back in the 70's and my sister were wayyyy before I was. I have never been charged for anything besides comp cards. Also people don't know that just because you are signed to an agency doesn't mean you are going to get work. It's not the agency it's the companies they pitch you to. You should always be working on your portfolio constantly which may cost you but it's always worth it. 9/10 the agency will set up test shoots for free. Some models have been signed for years but never worked simply because of weak portfolios which clients don't like. Weak portfolio = less work. But it's your job to make sure you're building your portfolio for clients not your agency. Your agency is just there to connect you to designers and companies.

[@cynthiaschell7246]

age of 40, so young, but then you hear: not eating, smoking too much, cancer... there you go. Health and wellness is far more important than a number on a scale or dress

[@Rebecca-n7n]

In the 50's my mom lived on cigs and coffee and an occassional piece of angel food cake with peaches. 5'11 and a 22 inch waist. She was well aware of this model when I was in my teens. I ate 2x a week, wednesday and sunday. And yes I was thin. It was acceptable then. My own daughter did this in the 70's. Our dr. Threatened her with hospitalization if she didn't start eating. Thank God she did. I would freak out if my grandkids did this. I really think my own health issues in my 70's stem from severe dieting.

[@ehmrahq1548]

Wow. That's discipline. Alot of women today are full figure or plus size but I notice the women in the older days didn't play about their waistline. My aunt who is 80 still is super strict over her figure and waist. She eats like a bird and when you try to take her out to eat she says "I don't want to be obesed to death". Her favorite pastime is staring at other women's figures and waist and critiquing how fat everyone has gotten.

[@dragonfly9821]

@@ehmrahq1548 That's a sad way to live.

[@ehmrahq1548]

@@dragonfly9821 How so? I find that alot of older women are critical of weight.

[@leonorhernandez7079]

Yeah that's the problem old women in power dictating what young women should look like just like how old men star wars which they then send young men to die in.

[@123canadagirl]

Really interesting video. My suggestion though is to not have the flashing lines behind your photos as it is distracting to people’s eyes and takes away from viewing the photos you’ve carefully curated.

[@honeybear-mw5rt]

she looks so pretty

[@ryanlewandowsky2077]

Gosh not only do I adore your content I am gonna at least give credit to Wilhelmina that she didn’t just require her models to lean into their eating disorders she was willing to follow possibly the most restrictive diet ever. Not sure how she had the strength to start her own agency when she probably needed a hospital stay.

[@CATNAPREAL1188]

She had to have felt weak and tired All of the TIME ! Poor Girl but I have to give her credit. She was Beautiful, Talented, Wealthy and Lifelong Famous, all in a Short, Short time span ! KUDOS to Her ! May she Rest in Peace.

[@virginiaviola5097]

It is very possible to survive on a diet of cigarettes and coffee for many decades and be a perfectly functional, not even very,very skinny, human being. Living on nerves and adrenaline becomes a way of life. Until either the cigarettes win or the adrenal glands give out. Wilhelmina was very, very unlucky, but I think that when you are running on your nervous system, essentially in full-time hyper-function mode, meant to kick in in times of stress, not all the time… having an intimate relationship which is emotionally, physically and mentally abusive with the one person who is supposed to love and care for you takes an enormous toll. And if that person is already running on their reserves when things are ok, they will have no reserves left to help their body cope with the abuse..hence, that makes them more susceptible to falling ill early.

[@ryanlewandowsky2077]

@@virginiaviola5097 I agree with everything but your first sentence. Definitely her awful marriage did not help her health but the only way you can survive on black coffee and cigarettes is if you have body fat to lose. I’ve experimented with water and black coffee fasting to lose weight and it worked great for me but once you get to a low body fat level my experience has been that you don’t need to overeat but you do need lean protein veggies fruits and other nutrient dense foods. I was shocked the first time I tried fasting because it gave me energy suppressed my appetite and my mood was almost too happy for people to take. Once I reached a certain point I became a bit fatigued and I realized I was going to need to adjust my diet for the last 5-10 pounds. I’m not making fun of you but there are no calories in black coffee or cigarettes so eventually you’ll either die from starvation or need to eat. Sincerely Ryan

[@delfabrkic9432]

@@virginiaviola5097 I'm surprised she didn't lose her hair and teeth from malnutrition. I'm not surprised she died at 40 though.

[@ehmrahq1548]

I've seen pictures of her before during her last year's and she looked 10 to 15 years older in my opinion. But still beautiful with an amazing face. It could have been because she was sick or just thin. Her style was a bit classic too, especially her hair. Instead of wearing long flowing hair, she wore 60's updo's, wraps, scarves or hats. Maybe these little things made her appear older than what she was. I had no idea she was still young.

[@anye76]

Never knew her story. My grandmother was named Wilhelmina, not after her as she was older but it's a name you just don't hear too often. When you do hear the name you think of the model icon. What what a story. 💕

[@Cyhcg5uhgb]

Wilhelmina was the name of the reigning queen of the Netherlands during WWII. I think the name was a bit more common in the Netherlands and Germany during that time period. Now it is considered a name only old people have.

[@danavixen6274]

Rest in peace Wilhelmina Cooper. Definitely a pioneer in the modeling industry. Faye Dunaway did her portrayal justice in Gia. 😔🙏🏾❤️🕊️

[@flwrfan1752]

@danavixen6274-I wasn’t sure if that was Faye Dunaway who played her.Thank you for that comment so I know for sure.Faye Dunaway was good in that part.

[@danavixen6274]

@@flwrfan1752 😁

[@ShugerPlum0263]

Actually Angelina Jolie played Gia. Faye Dunaway played Joan Crawford in Mommie Dearest.

[@beysmentssecuritycamera6013]

@@ShugerPlum0263Gia as in the movie not the character …

[@2fierce4]

Angelina Jolie!

[@JuliaShalomJordan]

Karine!!! I would love it if you did a breakdown of the timeless Christy Brinkley!🫶🏻 Of all the supermodels, she has defied aging beautifully. Wanna hear those girly tips.🌸

[@KarineAlourde]

Yes she’s on my list. She has such a beautiful personality too 😍😍

[@JuliaShalomJordan]

@@KarineAlourde eeekkk!!! Yes! I love her vibe, too! Can’t wait for this!🥰🥰🥰

[@cocoaorange1]

True, she has aged well.

[@charlotteziggy8353]

Christy Brinkley, oh please no! She is 98% plastics and looks like it too!

[@ryanlewandowsky2077]

Gosh I do love Christy! Myself and 3/4 of the boys I was friends with all had her blue bathing suit poster!

[@beatrix6504]

You bring so much compassion to these vids on all these stunning and complex women. Thank you!

[@thatcrazytoaster]

Did you ever or will you do a profile on Capucine. Model / Actress from the original Pink Panther. Beautiful, stunning and then she kills herself.

[@SagittariusQueen1980]

So sad she passed away so young at 40. I'm only 42 and I'm still young as well. She was so beautiful and I first heard of her when I was watching the Gia movie, Angelina Jolie was great playing her. I thought Wilhelmina was older when she passed away, may she rest in peace.

[@chantel2594]

Love your content, I learn so much I never knew about these amazing women! Thank you for all your hard work! ❤

[@KarineAlourde]

You are so welcome! 🫶🏾🫶🏾♥️

[@meliw4142]

Thank you for this story! I grew in Wilhelmina's modeling then Agency age. You do not know how influencial she was as a trailblazer for me. The fashion world eas a culture that everyone was not invited too. So when I saw Iman, a Wilhelmina model and my favorite came along my entire world shifted. I became a freelance fashion designer and arts creative. This video was so well done that I will be watching it over and over again!

[@Lilmisscostumedrama]

I find it really interesting about the carrott juice making models skin more fair. I drink carrot juice and I find my complexion gets more colour. I am white and have vitiligo so I am trying everything I can to put the skin “tone” back into my skin. I found that carrot juice doesn’t help the vitiligo but does make the rest of my complexion darker. Maybe it affects folks in different ways. I’d be interested to know about what tomato juice does!

[@Zerosk88]

Drinking too much carrot juice or eating too much carrot can turn you yellow , idk if this is true but my mom would tell me this growing up 😅

[@stringofpearls4551]

@@Zerosk88 It is true. When my son was a baby, carrots were the only vegetable he would eat, and he did turn orange!!! Thankfully, it was only for a few months

[@ryanlewandowsky2077]

Eating lots of beta-carotene from whatever source does give you a healthy glow somewhat similar to a tan so I agree with you. Don’t know if this would help with Vitiligo but I wonder if sunfree tanner would help. I know Sally Hansen’s legs in a can spray makeup would work

[@meghanmisaliar]

​@@Zerosk88myth

[@roundtwo3321]

You're correct. It's the chemical that makes the produce orange that also make your skin orange/darker.

[@emmalancaster2013]

One of the few dark-eyed brunettes who made it in the modeling world at that time. The few brunettes tended to have blue eyes. Beverly Johnson & Iman we’re also gorgeous pioneers.

[@lightningbug276]

I eat twice an hour 😂

[@swagsurfin7736]

Lol like a newborn and I’m 46!!

[@kat35lulu88]

There's a slice of leftover pizza calling my name......😅

[@xopi2521]

I read her biography 30 years ago. She kept her weight down by chain smoking which was what killed her. It was very common in the 50’s and 60’s for women to smoke and not eat. And Gia died because she was an addict exacerbated by the fact that she was a lesbian at a time when people were still closeted and she had a hard time finding and maintaining a relationship. Both women had very hard, tragic and unglamorous lives

[@christinesweny5694]

I met Wilhelmina twice in L.A., you are correct....she WAS a cigarette!!!

[@saraniah]

Gia died of full blown Aids, sadly. 😢

[@xopi2521]

She did die of aids those of us who lived through it lost almost a generation. It was like Vietnam. But she was also a sick addict with a chaotic personal life.@@saraniah

[@saraniah]

@@xopi2521 Yep, it was from the use of drugs, and sharing needles. I feel like she didn't have a strong, healthy support system..

[@rosemarycardenas2756]

Thank you Karine from bringing to life these enigmatic characters from the past and shed a light on their contribution to society!

[@CrystalDatingCoach]

I was a Model in the 90s and worked with Wilhelmina agency. Had no idea of her eating disorder but she was Incredibly thin. Yes...she was a lovely person. Great video!!

[@bioshawna]

Thank you for giving us her history as I have only heard of the name. Sad she struggled with what she had once so desperately wanted, and dreamed about 😢 doesnt sound like it made her very happy ultimately but she was clearly a force to be reckoned with!

[@cynique46]

Girl her diet was crazy. Please do a video on Donyale Luna next.

[@amberyoung5192]

She has a video on her. She did it a few months back.

[@nancyprivate6774]

This one bothers me - what good is looking good when you cannot enjoy the pleasures of life like great food? And to have a crappy husband and to die so young - I see nothing good about her life - she never ate and smoked herself to death

[@Kiki-dee]

Her legacy lives on. She is a household name. Unfortunately in the industry you have to sell your soul. Your time is limited

[@amorelockster1023]

She had a miserable life like a lot of other models

[@watermelon520b]

idk, i can’t speak for others but sometimes the sacrifices you make for success are worth it in the end.

[@moons4363]

​@@watermelon520bbut she isn't here to enjoy it

[@junemarshall-kingsley566]

It's even more amazing that she could give birth to two children after having subsisted on practically nothing for years. Then she bounced back to her former self and lived on cigarettes to avoid the truth about her marriage.

[@sheila6186]

Well, assuming that Wilhelmina maintained an optimal waist-to-hip ratio of 0.7, or close to that, then she would have been fertile (that's the main fertility marker in women). Additionally, Wilhelmina's alternation between starvation (fasting) and eating would have actually helped her fertility overall. Also, Wilhelmina died at only age 40, so she was fully in her child-bearing years leading up to that. My own mother gave birth to me at age 44.

[@jgarofalo8813]

@@sheila6186 1,000 calories a day for a diet is unhealthy for a woman 1,000 a week is almost suicidal.

[@themetr0gn0me]

@@sheila6186 eating twice a week is continuous starvation

[@Kira36k]

She accomplished so much in her 40 years. Imagine if she had another 40 years

[@lisajames7128]

Hi Karine! I love your channel. Your videos are so well done. I would love it if you did a video on the supermodel Veruschka. She's had a wild life, and is very unique in the modeling industry. I look forward to more of your wonderful work. 😊

[@jekku4688]

Love the "old" classic models. Wilhelmina, Dovima, Susie Parker, et al. So gorgeous!

[@emmalancaster2013]

Poor Dovima didn’t save a penny and ended up waiting tables after her modeling career was over.what a shame - that photo of her with the elephants is so iconic.

[@Haterzarefans]

They looked like skeletons with pretty faces.Gorgeous...not!

[@maryjomichele]

And sick with disentigrating bones falling apart.

[@nancymcdade3909]

I attended the Gloria Lavonne school of modeling and finishing in 1979 at the age of 19 in Portland Oregon. We all aspired to be signed with Wilhelmina in New York after we finished our classes. Willamina had a wonderful reputation and a few girls were signed over the years from Gloria Lavonne. Sadly the school doesn't exist any longer but the knowledge of modeling and social etiquette has stayed with me ever since. It was such a wonderful experience and every girl should try and reach for her dreams. Thank you Wilhelmina for all you did for the modeling industry. You were beautiful inside and out.❤️

[@daniellarkins3849]

You look amazing! I hope you had a good experience.

[@LolaTea-38]

Wilhelmina was very smart as well as a graceful beauty. I would love to see a video on the life of the model, Twiggy. I still remember her with those big eyes and paper thin body that started a movement for super skinny models. Thanks!

[@amzztv04]

Oh wow😮, i kinda did but didn't think at the same time that Wilhelmina was an actual person. First time knowing the face behind the agency. Thanks Karine❤!

[@jciv9149]

Ms.Alourde you need to do Heidi fleiss ……the biggest Female PIMP …..

[@KarineAlourde]

Oooo 👀👀👀 that’s a good one

[@jciv9149]

@@KarineAlourdeI got another one,Traci Lords the under age Pron Star that was biggest at that time….!

[@Empresselizabeth1800]

Yes!!

[@pennierkaide4985]

I loved this video. I never knew she died in 1980 at only 40 yo. I grew up in the 80s, and if you read Vogue and Harper's, you knew about Wilhelmina models. I'm subscribing and look forward to watching your other videos:)

[@karavera]

She absolutely did not eat only twice a week.

[@Kay-jk3zj]

Thank you. Because she would have died of malnutrition especially if she was only eating soup and tomato juice when we she did eat. Like be for real lol. She probably was more likely eating once a day

[@legendary2553]

@@Kay-jk3zjthe body is resilient. Many anotexic people live to late 30s even when they barely eat.

[@Karen-e1f]

126 lbs 62 and feel fat. 5 5" . My mother had a scale in the kitchen.

[@Rkisosondi]

Thanks for contributing to the decimation of the confidence of millions of teen girls

[@TheLoveweaver]

Carrots in huge amounts make you orange, not fairer. I remembwr my mom was drinking a lot of carrot juice and her skin, eyeballs and palms of her hands began to appear very orange. She was frightened and went to the dr, who figured it out and told her to stop until she became a normal color. It was wild.

[@JodieLee07]

I agree...I would LOVE to see a film on Wilhelmina! You've done a great job, Karine as always🫶! Thank you, She sure is beautiful... certainly a star!💛

[@katrinadobey9341]

LOVE THE STORIES OF WOMAN I NEVER KNEW EXISTED!!!!! THANK YOU ENLIGHTEN ME OF WOMAN OF ALL RACES AGES AND SIZES❤️💪🏾🙏🏾🖤

[@denisehenry3427]

This woman was Iconic woman. Thanks for sharing her story ♥

[@corinneone]

I wanted so much to be a model during the 1980’s And Wilhelmina was the the ultimate to aspire to.. bless this beautiful soul of a “boss women”. I hope her daughter does write her story.. we need this for the archives.

[@genericrobin6597]

Perhaps do Eileen Ford next. I don't think she'll give you the warm and fuzzies but you'll get an impression of the main player of the modeling industry at that time.

[@Archangel_Sachiel]

The flashing background is going to give someone a seizure.

[@sbrownie]

Sad and Beautiful all at once. You provide excellent material.👏🏾💜

[@tobisupersmart]

I’m so proud of your channel growing!! You are the kind of person that deserves this! ❤️💗

[@tinac8706]

You always do such amazing videos, thank you, but the lasers behind the pics are very distracting.

[@majsmarken118]

Please skip the lightening in the background. I find it very disturbing.

[@lolachlih3136]

New subbie here!! Been catching up on your vids wow! She is stunningly gorgeous ❤

[@lauranyc4966]

I’m 6’1 and was 127 pound when I was told to loose weight by Wilhelmina agency 😂🤣😂 I said fluck you all and decided never belittle myself by any jack wagon !!!!!

[@Jennifer_Lewis_Beach_Living]

This is the truth. Most models and celebrities don’t eat, and the old school models and celebrity women sustained on coffee and cigarettes to maintain their very slim figures. Another fun fact - Wilhelmina also discovered model turned actress Lorraine Bracco as well as Janice Dickinson. She bucked the trends when selecting models. In the 70s, the “California Blonde” was desired, but she often represented many women of different types and styles, and these women became equally in demand.

[@PandaA-cv3mm]

Exactly. I was a young teen in the industry and developed anorexia and bulimia. I was signed with Wilhelmina and also later with Ford. Many gals I know developed serious drug issues and used pills and coke to not eat also eating disorders which were encouraged by the agents and designers. It’s not glamorous at all except for the photos and maybe the travelling/money. Thing ne of my supermodel friends ruined her career with drugs. She’s happy and healthy today leading a normal life. Dangerous world and you still don’t hear the half of it. poor Wilhelmina… she was so young, 🙏💜

[@louisgonzalez8846]

I doubt it.!!!! Since she had very high expectations of her models. And J.Dickinson looks like a streetwalker. !!!!

[@glennsepulveda4856]

I remember watching a vintage video of a Ms Universe pageant, where Wilhelmina sat as judge alongside Roberto Cavalli..She was a real stunner..So elegant, she reminded me of French model/actress Capucine..they had the same aristocratic beauty..❤

[@JJW77]

Thank you, Karine - I learned a lot about Wilhelmina in your well researched video!

[@ktmggg]

Excellent video except for the lightning effect in the background. It's damn near seizure inducing.

[@solotraveller888]

I don’t know how they could survive without eating for a few days. I feel dizzy when I skip a meal.

[@evaphillips2102]

Cigarettes

[@megleland6320]

She was such a GORGEOUS young woman! Her lips in particular are perfection, and hold lipstick like a painting. She has a real old money look to her, even when wearing the very young and modern fashions. I imagine she would have been just as lovely at a higher weight, I am sorry she felt she had to do that to herself. Expecting models to maintain the figure of a very young teenager during a growth spurt's thinness is the ugliest thing about the fashion world.

[@empressmeowmeow9581]

This was very interesting but please consider in the future not using backgrounds with flashing lights. Watching your video triggered one of the worst migraines I've had in a long time.

[@ulrichhille5241]

I've always been fascinated by the modelling business and how it works. But the more, I learn about it, the more I think, that it is much closer to human trafficking than glamour and beauty. You pick up 14 year olds, tell them to walk and smile and "people" take care of them." Don't get me wrong, I admire that beauty and coolness supermodels exhume, but it's like sparkling stars glued to a black coffin. Wilhelmina looked just glamouros and in control of everything, like an empress. However, she wasn't. She was certainly a great artistic woman that ran one of the most prestigious modelling agencies on this planet. But she was also a person with self-destructive behavioural patterns (starvation diet / chain smoking / abusive husband) that killed her at 40. I know, my presumptions are speculative.

[@Beautifulchild22]

Wow! She was gorgeous ❤❤❤❤ I knew about the agency, but not the woman. What an exceptional beauty and woman! Great video, Karine!

[@tkey2010]

My Mother used to talk about the Wilhelmina Agency along with Ford Models, John Casablancas Agency and Nina Blanchard Agency back in the 70’s and and 80’s

[@8gagee]

Wow, thanks...very interesting! I so enjoy your videos, like you, I love finding out info on all my favorite celebs!

[@Wyntrborn]

Another great topic. I remember the name Wilhelmina as a model and didnt realize she was the face behind the agency. Another great topic would be Bethann Hardison. Model and activist.

[@kathleenhiggins4027]

Awesome! Marine you are amazing with amazing work. Keep it up. Blessings to you❤

[@mre.8886]

What a great video!!

[@KarineAlourde]

Glad you liked it! 🫶🏾♥️

[@CrustyUgg]

I am obsessed with this channel. It's such a niche channel and it's exactly what I was looking for 🙌🏻

[@nnnnnnnnnnn7292]

Something doesn't add up here. A person who was tragically underweight, suffered from severe mulnutrition and chainsmoked too managed to have two (!) healthy children and create/managed some big agency. It is not physically possible. She most likely had a much healthier diet and lots of help. Stories like 'I only eat twice a week' used to be a huge attraction those days.

[@user-wg3sz9fr2z]

Great point. People are always embellishing their stories. I'm skeptical.

[@ValerieBerezina]

Agreed. For all the alleged starvation she doesn't even look THAT skinny in any of her pics.

[@thevilaemina]

The woman died at 40! That is SO young, she was obviously not healthy. Giving birth and having a well-known career in no way invalidates her story. So strange to suggest she lied, especially when it was discovered after her death that she had even more problems than the pressures of modeling since she was also a domestic violence victim on top of everything. I think these comments are pretty disrespectful to her memory and to women who’ve survived lots of seemingly impossible-to-overcome trauma.

[@thevilaemina]

@@ValerieBerezina that is such a wildly nasty thing to post publicly with your full name, picture and everything. Would you walk up to a woman with anorexia and say this to her face, Valerie? And those of you upvoting the comment? Think about the young girls reading comments like this. Think about the damage you choose to do willingly when you write ignorant comments like this in a public forum.

[@tennillej9601]

It's possible, I used to starve myself on coffee and an apple a day when I was younger shortly after I fell pregnant and did of course consume more calories, the human body is incredible with what it can be put through

[@spiritmatter1553]

Cool video and music. The Wilhelmina agency was quite prestigious.

[@EXCINC]

Love these videos, so many beautiful, graceful strong women that we need to remember and discover. Thanks for your work! ✨🌹

[@susanpowe5813]

The flashing in the background is a bit hard on the eyes, but otherwise enjoyable. Thank you.

[@happyday8280]

I had to stop watching as the background flashing lights were awful 😢

[@bellsca1917]

Love the video , hate the flashing in the background, very distracting

[@fannywood9022]

Another beauty that was eaten up by the system! Thank you for spotlighting her!

[@clarisaantiagingdermatology]

I'm sorry I don't see this woman beautiful. But she shows elegance and class.

[@cocoaorange1]

Wow, back then agencies gave models a hard time if they got married and had kids, since it affected their figure. In fact,, they had contracts prohibiting both. Glad times have changed.

[@jazzyangie9294]

I've definitely heard of Wilhelmina, but I had know idea her modeling regimen was so stringent... Thank you for sharing this video...

[@aceblanks7658]

Wilhelmina was a Taurus like me ♉️💪🏾 so that’s why she set that record and was always available for those models. We are talented yet humble and care soooo much!!!! Love her!!!!

[@keboonplumeria5266]

She basically ahead of her time and extremely confident. She can give dozens of pose in one minute... I think that comes handy for photographers and she is there for business. It took great discipline to focus on the tasks and her uniqueness lies in the 'look' and 'attitude' as well

[@maryc.dalton1284]

Not only was she gorgeous as a model, but the clothes she wore were fantastic. (I'll admit, looking at these pictures, she would probably make a paper bag look good.) What I love about the clothes is how they compliment the female form, in both playful and dramatic ways. Not like the slop women get today.

[@MLimaRosebud]

*🌸 i love me some wilhelmina cooper and her story is so inspiring 🩷*