Local makes modeling cut

Women older than 40 today are mothers, daughters, executives, friends, business owners, wives and lovers.

Statistics show they’re also beautiful, healthy, active, empowered and happy with who they are, maybe for the first time in their lives.

Lillian Williams, one of 10 finalists in the MORE/Wilhemina 40+ Model Search contest, said attitude is everything, and she wasn’t there at age 20.

It took turning 40 to give her the confidence she needed to accept who she was, embrace her life choices — mistakes included — and feel good enough about herself to believe she could enter a modeling competition.

“At 20, you’re immature and you don’t know what life is about. Now, I’m not going to be influenced by what other people think,” Williams said.

The Costa Mesa resident is one of three California women in the annual nationwide model search sponsored by MORE Magazine and Wilhemina Models that began late last year.

Williams is a dental assistant in Newport Beach and a regular reader of MORE magazine, a publication geared toward women older than 40.

Lois Johnson, beauty and fashion director of MORE Magazine, said each of the more than 15,000 readers who entered the contest are winners.

“This is a community of intelligent, highly evolved women who are taking charge of their lives and enjoying being 40 and over,” Johnson said.

“Right now, most readers say that while they would enter a model search, they might not have ever considered that in their 20s.”

Women today have a different attitude, Johnson said, coupled with the fact that women are learning to take exceptional care of themselves by working out, not baking in the sun anymore, whitening their teeth and paying special attention to skin care.

After seeing the ad in the magazine for the model search, Williams and her sister joined more than 400 women at the open audition in September at the Talbots store in South Coast Plaza.

Williams filled out an application, had her hair and makeup touched up by experts, and posed for a professional photo that she submitted with her application.

Everyone there that day helped her feel comfortable and at ease, Williams said, enabling her to step out of her comfort zone and try new things, like talking more about herself.

Once she was selected as a semifinalist, she was required to submit a two-minute video in which she had to talk about herself and her life.

“I’ve always been very reserved, and now I want to say who I am, and embrace what God gave me.”

Williams is tall, something she struggled with when she was younger. She wouldn’t wear heels, she felt left out, and it played havoc with her self esteem.

Since entering the contest, Williams said meeting new people, seeing her friends and family so supportive, and having a little attention focused on her at this stage in her life isn’t such a bad thing.

“Why not do this? It’s a way of expressing something that deep down all of us want to do, to feel appreciated in life.”

Williams leaves Monday for New York, where the first-, second- and third-place winners of the contest will be announced at a fashion show and dinner at the Hotel QT in Manhattan on Wednesday.

All three finalists will receive modeling contracts with Wilhelmina, be featured in the June issue of MORE and appear on an upcoming segment of the “Today” show.

A shopping spree, jewelry, hair and makeup products and trips are all part of the winning package.

Williams has never been to New York, and she said that whether or not she wins, the experience has been one she will never forget.

Her son, Zachary, 11, has been behind her 110%, she said, telling her she can do it, and that if she wins, she can do whatever she wants.

That’s something Williams wouldn’t have believed 20 years ago, and if she does win, she’ll be able to put that advice to the test.

She may have to quit her job. After all, she’ll have to honor a $50,000 modeling contract.

“I’ve never modeled before, but I’m willing to learn anything now, and I’ll weigh all the options,” Williams said.

“This is the opportunity of a lifetime.”

SUE THOENSEN may be reached at (714) 966-4627 or at sue.thoensen@latimes.com.