Ep 1. Meet the Models & Moms

Making a Model with Yolanda Hadid is a reality television series featuring iconic fashion model and former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Yolanda Hadid as she coaches aspiring models on their journey to make it in the fashion industry. In the series premiere episode titled "Meet the Models & Moms," viewers meet Yolanda, her team of experts, and the first batch of models and their moms.

The episode kicks off with a peek inside Yolanda's luxurious Malibu home where she introduces herself and explains her goal for the show - to teach aspiring models the ins and outs of the fashion business, and ultimately help them land their dream gigs. Yolanda shares her personal experience in the industry, emphasizing the importance of hard work, discipline, and dedication, three values that she hopes to impart on her protégées.

Next up, we meet Yolanda's team of experts - model coach Marisa Hapiuk and photographer and creative director Joseph Chen, who will work alongside Yolanda to help the models hone their craft and look their best. Marisa shares her philosophy on modeling, indicating that it goes beyond just looking good to include self-confidence, poise, and personality, while Joseph stresses the importance of knowing one's angles and utilizing social media to build a following.

With introductions out of the way, we finally meet the nine models selected for the show, along with their mothers. First up is Breanna, a 19-year-old from Indiana who dreams of modeling for Victoria's Secret. Next is Lilyan, a 17-year-old from California who hopes to walk in a Paris Fashion Week show. Makenzie is a 19-year-old from Seattle who has already walked in New York Fashion Week, but has yet to land a major campaign. Mikayla, a 20-year-old from Louisiana, is a full-time student who models on the side and wants to break into the industry full-time. Tia, a 25-year-old from Texas, quit her job to pursue modeling full-time, while Allie, a 23-year-old from Utah, is a recent college graduate who is juggling modeling gigs and a graphic design job. Christiana, a 23-year-old from Pennsylvania, wants to prove that plus-size models can be just as successful as straight-size models. Josie, a 15-year-old from California, is the youngest model on the show and is hoping to build her portfolio and gain some confidence. Finally, Mira is a 26-year-old from California who has modeled in Asia but has yet to make it big Stateside.

As Yolanda and her team assess the models, they notice some strengths and weaknesses. While some girls have great bone structure and natural beauty, others need to work on their confidence and posing. Yolanda stresses the importance of hard work and dedication to overcome any obstacles in their way, emphasizing that nothing worth having comes easily.

As the moms observe their daughters' photo shoots and coaching sessions, they begin to understand the gravity of achieving success and the dedication it requires. The moms offer support and encouragement, but also express their reservations about the cutthroat nature of the industry and the pressure that comes with being a model. Yolanda is quick to reassure them that the show is not about exploiting young girls, but rather about empowering them and equipping them with the skills they need to succeed in the business.

Overall, "Meet the Models & Moms" serves as a solid introduction to the series, setting the stage for the models' journey and building up anticipation for the rest of the season. While viewers get to see a glimpse of each girl's personality and aspirations, the episode ends on a cliffhanger, hinting at drama and tension to come as the models compete for coveted spots on Yolanda's roster.