For years, the fashion world painted teen models as either fragile runway dolls or hyper-sexualized influencers. But a new wave of teenagers is rewriting that story-on their own terms. These aren’t the kids you see in glossy ads posing with oversized sunglasses. These are teens speaking up, setting boundaries, and using their platforms to demand respect, diversity, and real representation.
They’re Not Just Faces Anymore
When 16-year-old Maya Chen walked into a casting in New York last year, the agency asked if she’d be willing to wear a crop top and shorts for a swimwear campaign. She said no. Not because she was shy, but because the brand had no history of featuring girls her size or skin tone. She walked out. Two weeks later, she got a call from a small ethical brand in Portland. They wanted her to lead their first inclusive teen collection. She said yes.
Maya isn’t alone. Teen models today aren’t waiting for permission. They’re building their own rules. Many use Instagram not just to post photos, but to share behind-the-scenes videos of their school life, mental health check-ins, and calls to action for fair pay. One 17-year-old model from London, Jada Ellis, started a hashtag: #MyBodyIsNotMyPortfolio. It went viral. Over 200 teen models shared their stories. Some were turned down for being ‘too tall,’ others for being ‘too short.’ Some were told to lose weight before they even hit 15.
What the Industry Used to Say
The old playbook was simple: get them young, keep them quiet, make them look ethereal. Agencies would scout girls in malls, schools, even YouTube videos. They’d promise fame, then deliver long hours, no contracts, and no pay. In 2021, the UK’s Children’s Society found that 43% of teen models under 18 had no legal guardian present during shoots. Only 12% had written contracts outlining pay, hours, or safety rules.
That’s changing. Thanks to laws passed in California and New York in 2023, teen models under 18 now need a work permit, a chaperone, and a trust account for their earnings. In the UK, the Children (Performances) Regulations were updated in early 2024 to require mandatory mental health screenings before booking. These aren’t just rules-they’re protections. And teens are the ones pushing for them.
Who’s Leading the Change?
Here are three teens reshaping the game right now:
- Amara Nkosi, 17, from Johannesburg: The first Black teen model signed by a major European agency to wear her natural hair in every campaign. She turned down three big brands that asked her to straighten it. Now she has her own line of haircare products for young models.
- Riley Park, 16, from Seoul: A non-binary model who uses they/them pronouns. They walked for a runway show in Milan wearing a suit and no makeup. The show sold out. Brands now ask them to consult on gender-neutral collections.
- Leila Hassan, 15, from Toronto: Diagnosed with vitiligo at age 10, she was told she’d never work in fashion. Now she’s the face of a global skincare brand that celebrates skin differences. Her campaign reached 80 million people in six months.
These aren’t outliers. They’re part of a movement. According to a 2025 survey by Model Alliance, 68% of teen models under 18 now refuse jobs that don’t align with their values-whether that’s body type, ethical brands, or safe working conditions. That’s up from 22% in 2020.
It’s Not Just About Looks
Teen models today are also students, activists, and creators. Many balance school with shoots. Some tutor younger kids in their neighborhoods. Others run YouTube channels teaching teens how to read contracts or spot predatory agencies.
Take 14-year-old Zoe Martin from Manchester. She started a free online workshop called ‘Modeling 101: Don’t Get Played.’ It’s taught by former teen models who’ve been through the system. Over 12,000 teens have signed up. One participant, 13-year-old Luis from Mexico City, used what he learned to negotiate his first paid job-and got paid 300% more than the agency originally offered.
This isn’t just about money. It’s about power. These teens know their worth. They’re not asking for a seat at the table. They’re building their own.
What Brands Are Doing Right
The smartest brands aren’t just hiring teen models-they’re listening to them. In 2024, H&M launched its first teen advisory board made up of 12 models aged 14 to 17. They reviewed every campaign before launch. One teen suggested changing the lighting on a photo shoot because it made darker skin tones look washed out. The team listened. Sales for that collection jumped 41%.
ASOS now requires all teen model contracts to include a clause that allows the model to veto any image they feel misrepresents them. Nike’s teen campaign in 2025 featured six models, all under 18, who co-wrote the script. One line from the ad: ‘I’m not here to be pretty. I’m here to be powerful.’
These aren’t marketing gimmicks. They’re responses to real pressure from a generation that won’t tolerate empty gestures.
What Still Needs to Change
Progress isn’t perfect. Many agencies still operate in gray areas. Some still pay teens in ‘exposure’ or free clothes. Others push them to post content that feels sexualized, even if it’s labeled ‘lifestyle.’
And while laws are improving, enforcement is weak. In countries like Brazil and India, teen modeling is still largely unregulated. Many girls are flown in from rural areas with promises of fame, then left without support.
Real change means global standards. It means agencies being held accountable. It means schools teaching kids how to navigate the industry safely. And it means adults-parents, agents, photographers-putting the teen’s well-being ahead of profit.
What You Can Do
If you’re a parent: Ask questions. Who’s behind the camera? Do they have insurance? Is there a chaperone? Is pay guaranteed in writing? Don’t let excitement override caution.
If you’re a teen: Know your rights. No one should touch you without permission. No one should tell you how to look. You can say no-and you should. Keep records. Save emails. Talk to someone you trust.
If you’re a brand: Stop hiring teens just to look ‘fresh.’ Hire them because they have something to say. Listen when they speak. Pay them fairly. And don’t erase their identity to fit your brand’s outdated image.
The Future Isn’t Just Modelled-It’s Written
Teen models aren’t just walking down runways anymore. They’re writing the script. They’re demanding better. They’re proving that youth isn’t something to be exploited-it’s something to be respected.
The industry used to say, ‘They’re too young to understand.’ Now, the teens are saying, ‘We’re too smart to be fooled.’
Are teen models paid fairly today?
It depends. In countries with strong laws-like the U.S., UK, and parts of Europe-many teen models now get paid minimum wage or more, with contracts and trust accounts. But in places without regulation, some still get paid in ‘exposure’ or free clothes. Always ask for a written agreement that includes pay, hours, and safety rules.
Can teen models work while going to school?
Yes, and many do. In the UK and U.S., laws limit how many hours teens can work during school weeks. Most agencies now schedule shoots on weekends or holidays. Many teen models use tutors or online classes to keep up with school. The key is balance-no job should come at the cost of education or mental health.
What should parents look for in a modeling agency?
Avoid agencies that ask for upfront fees. Legit agencies get paid only when you do. Check if they’re registered with a recognized body like the Model Alliance or UK Model Union. Ask for references from other families. Make sure they provide chaperones for minors and have clear contracts. If something feels off, trust your gut.
Do teen models face mental health risks?
Yes. Pressure to look a certain way, long hours, and lack of support can lead to anxiety, depression, or eating disorders. That’s why new laws now require mental health screenings before booking. Teens should have access to counselors, and parents should monitor for signs of stress. Healthy modeling means healthy minds.
How can teens protect themselves online?
Never share your address, school, or daily schedule. Use privacy settings. Don’t post content that makes you uncomfortable-even if a brand asks. Save all messages from agencies or photographers. If someone pressures you, block them and tell a trusted adult. Your safety comes before any post or campaign.
November 27, 2025 AT 21:51
Sloan Leggett
Let’s be real-no one cares about your ‘boundaries’ if you’re still posting bikini pics in front of a luxury car. These teens aren’t ‘changing the game,’ they’re just better at marketing their vulnerability. The fact that they’re getting paid? Great. But don’t pretend this isn’t still exploitation with better PR. And for the love of God, stop calling it ‘empowerment’ when it’s just another product placement with a trauma backstory.
November 29, 2025 AT 02:44
George Granados
I’ve been watching this shift for years and honestly it’s one of the few genuinely hopeful things in fashion right now these kids aren’t just reacting to the industry they’re rebuilding it from the ground up with contracts in hand and therapists on speed dial and honestly if you think this is just about modeling you’re missing the entire point they’re creating a new language for youth autonomy in a world that’s spent decades treating them like disposable content and honestly i’ve cried reading some of these stories because for the first time someone’s listening and not just for the algorithm
November 29, 2025 AT 17:43
Carol Pereyra
Y’ALL. I just watched Leila’s interview where she said, ‘My skin tells my story-why would I hide it?’ and I lost it. 😭 This isn’t just fashion-it’s revolution in sweatpants and sneakers. These teens are turning rejection letters into launchpads, and honestly? We need more of this. Not the performative kind. The real kind. The kind that says ‘I’m not here to fit in-I’m here to change the mold.’ Keep going, warriors. We see you. We’re rooting for you. And yes, I just bought your haircare line. 💖