CARISSA MARSH
A&E Assistant
These days, sophomore Elvina Akberov’s professional modeling career has her looking like an Avril Lavigne-look-a-like. She points out the remnants of her most recent commercial shoot for Skechers shoes — “stick straight hair” and black-painted fingernails — that clash with the girly pink dress she is wearing.
Akberov wanted to attend Pepperdine because of its close proximity to Hollywood so she could pursue modeling and acting. She takes advantage of her Hollywood digs by going to auditions almost every day.
Akberov, a sophomore majoring in pre-law and communications transferred to Pepperdine last semester from the University of Tampa in Florida.
In the five years that Akberov has been modeling, she has completed a number of projects, including a national advertisement for Pacific Sun Wear that was featured in stores and catalogs.
“I like being in front of the camera,” Akberov said. “I have enough energy for two people. I can gear all my energy toward the camera, and it can take it.”
Akberov was born in Moscow, Russia, but came to the United States with her family when she was 6 years old. They lived in Brooklyn, N.Y., before settling in Livingston, N.J.
Though she started modeling when she was 16, Akberov said she has learned a lot about the business and desires for others to understand it, too.
Most importantly, Akberov said she strongly believes that success in the modeling and acting world requires strong representation.
“I came out here knowing what I wanted to do, and I got representation,” Akberov said. “It’s impossible without an agent.”
Akberov has a team of professionals working behind her and encouraging her. She has a manager, a theatrical agent and a print and commercial agent. These professionals help Akberov navigate the highly political entertainment industry.
Akberov checks her e-mail daily to see what auditions she has lined up for days ahead.
“When I go into an audition, my life could change,” Akberov said. “It’s like a job interview everyday.”
Sophomore Brittany Pickens said she thinks Akberov has an impressive ability to balance work with school.
“She’s very motivated and outgoing,” Pickens said. “She’s good at meeting people and getting herself out there. She’s very proactive.”
Akberov said the new possibilities and career opportunities she faces daily are exciting but also stressful. Potential roles can take Akberov to new cities and countries, forcing her to leave school and friends for an extended period of time.
The constant pressure of auditions, plus the commute to and from school from her apartment in Hollywood, make it difficult for her to keep up with 18 units and homework, she said.
Akberov has other time commitments too, such as hosting “Kickstart” a daily morning show on Music Plus TV, an online and cable television network that showcases indie and undiscovered artists.
Still, Akberov said she thinks that the difficulties are worthwhile.
“All day I am in front of the camera, and it is really good practice for auditions,” she said.
Akberov got her start as a model for Seventeen magazine, showcasing new clothing trends. She also appeared on the daytime talk show “The View” as a Seventeen model.
Last summer, Akberov had her first screen test, which was a milestone in her acting career. She went out for the role of a Portuguese character in a new series on ABC Family called “Fallen,” based on a popular book. Out of thousands of auditioning actresses, Akberov got called back four times until only three girls remained.
Though she did not get the role, which would have taken her to Canada for 20 weeks of shooting, the fact that she was called back so many times and got to screen test helped her prove herself to her agents.
“That one thing brought me back into the game,” Akberov said.
“It’s cool (doing the screen test) because you get to read with the people who are already cast,” Akberov added. “It’s interesting to see the projects you went out for and the girls who got it.”
While she said she values the learning experience that comes with missing out on a part, she also cannot help thinking, “It could have been me.”
“I’ve always gotten so close but not quite there,” Akberov said. “That just makes me think the right project hasn’t come along yet.”
While she hasn’t stumbled across the right acting job yet, Akberov has had lots of opportunities to develop her skills as a model.
Her most recent gig for Skechers shoes finished shooting Friday.
The advertisement is a spoof on reality television with Akberov playing a character modeled after pop-singer Avril Lavigne.
“That’s why my nails are black,” she said, holding up her hands.
The commercial will air nationally in a few weeks.
Akberov said it is not always easy dealing with the high importance placed on appearance that comes with having a career in acting and modeling.
“I love the whole market because it is awesome, but I hate it because it can be so contrived,” she said.
Akberov said she also has a back-up plan in case her modeling and acting dreams do not pan out: a career in law.
While the odds in Hollywood are not always favorable, Akberov said she remains determined to make her goals a reality.
“We’re going straight-ahead, not looking back,” she said.
09-22-2005
