Stars like Ashton Kutcher, Seann William Scott, Elijah Wood, and Katie Holmes all got their start at one of the world’s largest showcases in the entertainment and fashion industry. The International Modeling and Talent Association (IMTA) is one of the most recognized and respected organizations in the world. IMTA is held twice a year: In January at the Westin Bonaventure in Los Angeles, and in July at the Hilton New York Towers. These conventions attract the top international agents from every market in the world. IMTA centers its showcases in the heart of the fashion and entertainment industries. IMTA is comprised of the top agencies and training centers throughout the world. The members are made up of both independent and franchised agencies, who come from all over the world: Paris, Milan, Hamburg, London, Mexico, Australia, Canada, South America, and the United States.
Some of IMTA’s most successful discoveries include many of today’s stars including: Ashton Kutcher, star of “That ’70s Show,” Seann William Scott, best known for his role as “Stifler” in the “American Pie” trilogy, Jessica Biel, from the WB’s “Seventh Heaven,” Katie Holmes, star of the WB’s “Dawson’s Creek,” actor Elijah Wood, who starred in the “Lord of the Rings,” and many, more. These are just some of the talent that has come out of IMTA.
Besides its influential role in the entertainment industry, IMTA is also highly regarded in recognizing the next generation of models in the fashion industry. Some of the most recognized names throughout the fashion market attend IMTA each year, looking for new and young aspiring models.
Many of the models that have been discovered at IMTA have graced the covers and pages of hundreds of magazines. One of these models was Jessica White. White was discovered at IMTA in 1999 and has been featured in Gap and Covergirl ads. Her biggest success came last year when she appeared in Sport’s Illustrated swimsuit edition. The swimsuit edition is known as one of the highest points in a model’s career, and only a very few models are lucky enough to be chosen to appear in the magazine.
Another success story is Ashton Kutcher, who attended the IMTA convention in 1997. After spending some time modeling in Milan, Kutcher moved back to Los Angeles, where he auditioned for a new show at the time called “That ’70s Show,” and landed the role of Michael Kelso. This began Kutcher’s acting career. Kutcher has been named one of the “50 most beautiful people” by People magazine, and he has appeared in movies such as “Dude, Where’s My Car,” “The Butterfly Effect,” and “Just Married.” He also co-produced and starred in the MTV show, “Punk’d.” Kutcher is only the second IMTA discovery to be featured on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine, next to fellow IMTA foundling, Holmes.
Just as being featured in the swimsuit edition may be a model’s dream, the goal of an actor is to host “Saturday Night Live.” Kutcher, Scott, and Holmes have all received that honor.
The competitions and conventions at IMTA are broken down into different age divisions. The competitions include: runway, fashion print, TV beauty commercials, swim-wear, sitcoms, cold read, monologues, singing, dancing, soaps, etc. Aspiring actors, models, singers, and dancers have the opportunity to perform for some of the top professionals in the world.
IMTA will take place July18 to July 24 at the New York Hilton and Towers.