New York Is Full Of Models (It Only Takes A Camera To Change Your Mind)

In case you’re approached on the subway and asked if you’ve ever done modeling, know that it may not actually be for an episode of Candid Camera:

Every weekday evening, Simon Rogers rides the uptown No. 1 train from his job in the garment district to his home on the Upper West Side. He usually sits near the door for a good view of people climbing aboard, but on this day Mr. Rogers was seated near the center of the car because the train was crowded. Almost automatically, he began evaluating his fellow passengers, and his eyes found an older man in a newsboy cap and glasses.

There was something intangibly compelling about the man, and Mr. Rogers weaved his way through the throng of subway riders toward the stranger. As he approached, Mr. Rogers, a native of England, leaned in close. In a winsome British accent, he said quietly, “Excuse me, sir. I own a talent agency and I think you’d be good for it. There’s something unique about you.”

Mr. Rogers, who specializes in so-called real-people models, fished out a business card emblazoned with the name Ugly New York and handed it to his catch, who introduced himself as Russell Avery.

Before Mr. Avery could get the wrong idea, Mr. Rogers quickly added: “We have all kinds at my agency. All shapes, all sizes. Tall, short, fat, thin. Great-looking people, people who’ve really been hit with the ugly stick, and everything in between. If you’re interested at all, there’s a Web site at the bottom that you can check out and give us a call.”

After placing not just one but a second story in the Sunday papers, may he get a thousand voice mail messages tomorrow from hopefuls.