Jade Willoughby

Whitesand First Nation’s Jade Willoughby is Wawatay’s second runner-up for the Youth Story of the Year.
Last April, Willoughby, 22, signed a contract with Wilhelmina Models and Talent Management Agency. Willoughby, who has been in the modeling industry since she was 16, said that being signed to Wilhelmina Models is “unreal.”
“It’s just everything I ever dreamed of in this industry,” Willoughby said.
Willoughby’s contract with Wilhelmina made her the first First Nations model from northwestern Ontario to be signed with the company. The company itself is one of the most recognized and largest modeling agencies in the world with offices in Los Angeles, Miami and New York City.
“The contract entails that in the New York market, Wilhelmina will be my representation. So they will handle everything in regards to my image, likeness, my voice. They are my management agency in that market as well as LA,” Willoughby explained.
She said that a contract is something that people in the modeling industry aspire to obtaining. The contract also required Willoughby to relocate to New York City, a move that she was nervous but also excited about.