News Summary
Essence Sugar, a talented mechanical engineer and dancer from Jacksonville, has been crowned the winner of Torrid’s 2024 Model Casting Call. Amid over 11,000 applicants, she shone through a rigorous selection process to become the grand prize winner. Essence will star in a promotional photoshoot for Torrid’s upcoming campaign, alongside receiving a $2,000 cash prize and a year’s wardrobe valued at $15,000. Her achievement not only highlights her dedication to representation in fashion but also her commitment to inspiring others in underrepresented communities.
Jacksonville – Essence Sugar, a 29-year-old mechanical engineer and dancer from Jacksonville, Florida, has been named the grand prize winner of Torrid’s 2024 Model Casting Call. This year’s casting call was the largest in Torrid’s history, garnering over 11,000 applications from across the United States and Canada.
Essence advanced through the rigorous selection process, first making it to the Top 30 before being voted into the Top 10 finalists. The finalists participated in a professional model boot camp held in Los Angeles, which included a full-day mentorship program focused on modeling and content creation.
As the winner of the casting call, Essence Sugar will star in a photoshoot for Torrid’s 2025 campaign. In addition to this exciting opportunity, she will receive a cash prize of $2,000 and a full year’s wardrobe from Torrid valued at $15,000. Furthermore, her victory opens the possibility of signing with a global talent management agency, enhancing her prospects in the modeling industry.
Essence expressed her surprise and enthusiasm upon winning, viewing it as a vital chance to represent women who resemble her. She aims to inspire others and is a passionate advocate for greater representation of diverse bodies and backgrounds in both modeling and dance.
The modeling casting call spanned a period of six months and featured in-store events at over 100 mall locations nationwide. Participants were narrowed down through a selective review process where only the most outstanding applicants moved forward in the competition. Torrid’s team noted Essence’s natural comfort in front of the camera and her vibrant, authentic personality as key factors in her selection as the winner.
Essence Sugar is a graduate of the University of Miami and is dedicated to creating inclusive spaces for underrepresented communities. Her success marks a significant milestone not only for her personal career but also for the representation of diversity within the fashion industry.
With her victory, Essence hopes to pave the way for more women to step into the spotlight in modeling and other creative fields, promoting visibility for those who have been traditionally underrepresented.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Jacksonville Hosts Phone Bank Fundraiser for Dreams Come True
Jacksonville’s Casting Opportunities on the Rise
Jacksonville’s Essence Sugar Wins Torrid’s Model Casting Call
Jacksonville Hosts R.D.B Xclusive Fashion Show with Sunshine Anderson
Essence Sugar Wins Torrid’s 2024 Model Casting Call
Jacksonville Engineer Wins Torrid Model Casting Call
Jacksonville NAACP Supports Councilman Peluso’s Boycott
Jacksonville Engineer Wins Torrid’s 2024 Model Casting Call
Casting Opportunities for Aspiring Actors in Jacksonville
Local Engineer Wins Torrid’s Nationwide Model Casting Call
Additional Resources
- News4Jax: Jacksonville Woman Wins Torrid’s Nationwide 2024 Model Casting Call
- Action News Jax: HBO Casting Its Florida Man Season 2
- News4Jax: Jacksonville Winner of Nationwide Modeling Casting Call
- Jaguars: O-Zone Casting Call
- PR Newswire: Torrid Announces Winner of 2024 Nationwide Model Casting Call
- Wikipedia: Fashion Model
- Google Search: Modeling Industry
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Model
- Google News: Modeling
- Google Scholar: Model Casting
Author: STAFF HERE JACKSONVILLE WRITER
The JACKSONVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREJacksonville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Jacksonville, Duval County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Jacksonville Jazz Festival, Riverside Arts Market, and World of Nations Celebration. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce and JAXUSA Partnership, plus leading businesses in logistics, healthcare, and entertainment that power the local economy such as CSX Corporation, Baptist Health, and VyStar Credit Union. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREOrlando.com, HEREStPetersburg.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
