Model Slayhem: Slay or Be Slayed!

Cookiee’s competition where “looks can kill” and models have to “Slay or be slayed!”

Model Slayhem is a modeling competition created and launched by Cookiee in December 2015. It combines the creative and competitive aspects of modeling, centered on growth. VXM got the chance to sit with the innovative creator where she opened up about her inspirations, founding concepts, and tips on how to succeed in the modeling industry.

Models are often asked to think outside of the box while fighting to get and remain on top, making this competition pretty difficult. This concept was pretty easy to come up with according to Cookiee. She states that in this competition, each model has two choices: slay or be slayed. She used this mindset to create this riveting competition.

The flow of the competition goes as follows: each week, the models are given a different task created by Cookiee and the co-owner, Milkk. At the end of the week, their edits/creations will be judged and the lowest scoring model is sent home.

The model who scores the lowest will be sent home until there is a winner.

These tasks are not judged lightly and the judging is taken very seriously. Each judge is handpicked based upon their qualifications, titles, and extensive resumes in the modeling industry. The judges panel is filled with title holding models, professional developers, and graphic designers that give feedback to the models each week. It took the founder and the staff about two months to come up with the concept, challenges, and details of Model Slayhem. These challenges often are used to showcase each model’s skills in creativeness, poses, editing, and more. At the end of the competition, one winner is picked for the Grand Prize.

The Grand Prize is 50k, a spot for next season’s judging panel and 10 other prizes including magazine features, and many customs.

These prizes are provided by the sponsors of the competition along with the viewers’ donations. “We have been very blessed when it comes to sponsorship,” says Cookiee. The sponsors are featured on their website, banners in their group, as well as a mention and shout out in all video media of Cycle One’s competition.

As with every major competition and modeling concept, Model Slayhem had its share of challenges as well. The biggest challenge for Cookiee and her team was creating rounds that are not only fun and engaging, but would also help the models grow overall. Since there is only one winner, it is very important to Cookiee that each competitor walks away happy with their involvement and ultimately evolved as models. As for negative feedback, Cookiee reminds us that no group is perfect and everyone cannot be pleased. “Model Slayhem always has a listening ear for our models and viewers,” Cookiee states, “it wouldn’t be right if we didn’t because we made this group for them.” Honest feedback is what makes them better and progress in the modeling world.

Model Slayhem offers models a chance for growth and true competition. It is very model/viewer centered and makes true transformation a top priority. For any models starting out, Cookiee states that listening to true feedback and taking criticism are very important qualities to have.

“If you don’t have tough skin, modeling isn’t for you,” Cookie says.

Negative feedback is what makes a model great because it ignites a fire to improve. Cookiee also advises against playing it safe.

“Make the judges remember you because if you are going to play it safe, you might as well just stay home.”

“Make the judges remember you because if you are going to play it safe, you might as well just stay home.”