At a convention that showcases hundreds of young, talented children, teenagers and adults, it’s a daunting task to be responsible for selecting a male and female to carry titles that represent the very legacy of that convention. Such is the case of Mr. and Miss iPOP!, two titles that can make a huge difference in a young model’s or actor’s life, as it is certainly opening doors and providing the opportunity of a lifetime for this year’s duo, Chris Burton and Alayna Brand.

Pageantry magazine: What school or training center did you attend as a JRP student?
Alayna Brand: Seattle, Washington.
Chris Barton: I took modeling, life and acting classes at John Roberts Power in Pleasanton, CA, for several months. The teachers are very knowledgeable, experienced and dedicated. They have been very patient with me from the beginning and encouraged me to be the best. I could not have done it without them. I am still taking classes with JRP when I am in California, and I plan to have a private coach in the future as well.

PM: What do you feel you have learned about yourself after the training?
AB: I am more confident now in my modeling and acting abilities, and I learned that I can be successful if I put my mind to it.
CB: I have learned that practice makes perfect. Being a good model is not just the appearance; it requires a lot of hardworking, continuous training, and sacrifice.

PM: What field are you pursuing as your talent?
AB: Modeling and acting. Although I enjoy acting, singing and dancing, my number one love is High Fashion Modeling with a special passion for High Fashion Runway.

PM: Are you still in school or are you actively modeling?
CB: I’m in 10th grade. I am living with my grandparents while going to school in Arkansas this semester. I try to fly back to the San Francisco bay area where my parents and my little sister live whenever I get a break from school for auditions. I signed a contract with JE Model in San Francisco. I got so many call backs during iPOP! that I did not get the chance to visit everyone during the convention since I was busy rehearsing for the showcase and meeting with agents, directors and managers on site. I plan to visit a couple of top managers, agents and casting directors in LA during my spring break. I’ll try to be more active with modeling in the summer.

PM: What does the title of Miss and Mr. iPOP mean to you as a representative of all the schools?
AB: The title of Miss iPOP! means a lot to me because I feel that it is a tremendous honor to have been chosen from so many people for this great over all award. I am really happy and proud to have this title and represent JRP and iPOP! who helped me be successful and pursue my dreams.
CB: I feel very honored and fortunate. I do not think I am any better than all the other talented people who attended. Rather, I feel lucky. It opened many opportunities for me for pursuing my career in the entertainment world in the future. I hope to be a good representative for all the people involved with iPOP! and plan to participate in iPOP! in the future.

PM: How was your experience at the iPOP! convention?
AB: It was fantastic! It was definitely one of the best experiences of my life. I got to meet many new friends from all over the country and the world and learn more about the industry I want to be in. It was exciting to progress through the different levels of competition. It was so much fun that I wish I could do it all over again.

PM: What divisions did you compete in?
AB: I competed in our JRP school team competition, Modeling; Runway, Swimsuit, Print, Commercial and Headshot, Acting, Monologue and Scene, Modeling Runway Showcase and Acting Showcase. I was excited to have won Model of the Year, Best Runway Walk in High Fashion, and first runner-up in Best Runway Walk for Swimwear. And I finished in the Top 10 for Best Fashion Print Photos, Best Commercial Print Photos, Best Scene Performance and Best Actor’s Headshot. I was also in both the Modeling Runway Showcase and the Acting Showcase, which was all really fun.
CB: I competed in runway, fashion print, and acting. I received first place for runway and fashion print, and was named male model of the year. I enjoyed all of the events very much. The showcase performance on the last night meant a lot to me. I learned a lot throughout the whole production. My parents and sister were able to support me, and also lots of other people were watching.

PM: Did you take advantage of any training seminars?
AB: Yes. I only had time to get in on part of the runway seminar but it did give me an opportunity to get a feel for the runway that I would be competing on.

PM: What do you remember most about iPOP!?
AB: So many things stand out but probably my best memory was walking down the runway and feeling so excited and yet comfortable and confident on the runway which is my favorite part. I really appreciated the opportunity to compete and to have all my hard work pay off and to reach many of the goals I had come to accomplish. I was very excited to have so many callbacks from so many nice agents. Meeting them was what iPOP! is all about. I feel very honored and blessed and really look forward to the great future that this wonderful iPOP! experience has helped me with.

PM: Are you still considering a career in the industry?
AB: Absolutely! It is my dream and goal to be a High Fashion Model and I especially love the High Fashion Runway.

PM: What would you tell someone who is considering attending an iPOP! convention in the future?
AB: Be yourself! Don’t let anyone change who you are or take away your dreams. Always give your 110 percent because there will always be someone else who wants it just as much as you do, so you have to put in the extra effort. I found that fulfillment comes in knowing you did your best.
CB: I think it is a great convention. Never stop dreaming and never stop trying to obtain those dreams. If you dream little, you obtain little; so, dream big. It is a great opportunity to expose yourself to top managers, agents and casting directors in the world. You get chance to network with people in the entertainment industry and other students from JRP schools in other parts of the state and country. There are a lot of classes’ on site for parents and students if you have time during the busy schedule. Just believe in yourself. If you do not have faith, nothing is possible—so believe.