Wilhelmina Agents Make the Move to New York Model Management
In a significant shakeup at Wilhelmina Models, agents Melvin Vasquez and Kelsey Gabriel have departed to join NY Model Management, marking the latest in a series of exits from the agency.
Vasquez and Gabriel played key roles in Wilhelmina’s men’s new face division, but a source revealed that the recent leadership changes there have led to widespread dissatisfaction among staff. “Agent after agent is leaving. No one feels the place has serious longevity left to it under the current New York leadership,” the insider remarked.
The exodus also included Matt Trust and Gene Kogan, former agents who previously departed for NY Model Management. This trend has raised concerns about the future stability of the agency, as indicated by the same source who noted the ongoing departures are reminiscent of the turmoil seen in the past.
Wilhelmina’s leadership change has been under scrutiny since the tenure of Cory Bautista and CFO/COO Guarav Pahwa. The agency has faced allegations of neglect from male models who claim they were left to the care of less experienced staff when top executives vacated their roles. Following the departures, these models pursued legal actions against Wilhelmina.
“It’s like they’re back at square one. They’ve decimated their entire men’s team,” a fashion source commented regarding the current state of the agency.
Amid this turmoil, Trust took to social media to boast about the recent hires, emphasizing the importance of loyalty and professionalism, stating, “The lights are up, the curtain is about to rise. The runway is long and the show is about to begin.”
As the situation evolves, the agency’s ability to retain talent and maintain its reputation remains in question. A representative from Wilhelmina did not respond before the publication’s deadline.
