The lack of visibility among GenerAsians in high-level jobs and the entertainment industry is disturbing.

     The situation is very similar in the modeling industry.

     In the October 7 issue of "AsianWeek", the publication took an in depth look at Cosmopolitan magazine and found that out of the 118 models pictured in ad and editorial content, 103 were Caucasian, 12 black and three were of other ethnicity. No Asian models were used whatsoever.

    What is even more disturbing is the façade promoted by model and talent agencies that there is a heavy demand for Asians in print ads and TV commercials.

     Although the use of Asian models on TV and in magazine ads may have increased in the past few decades, the visibility of Asians is growing at a slow pace.

     There is definitely a glass ceiling in modeling preventing Asian men and women from achieving major success in the industry.

     I recently had the opportunity to talk to four fashion models, Esther Hwang, Anna Tse, Rick Yune and Yuichi D. Segawa. The gave us new insight regarding Asians in the fashion model industry.

       Anna Tse, from California, became interested in modeling after looking through fashion magazines such as Vogue and after being told by several people that she should be a model.

       Anna’s parents were hesitant of their daughter becoming a model but were supportive of her decision to pursue that career.

     Anna has been modeling for three years and has done several runway shows and commercials.

     "I’m glad the modeling industry is starting to open up. There are magazines such as Mademoiselle and Elle that do a pretty good job of putting people of different races in their magazines but I wish they would do a little more and speed it up," Anna said.

     Rick Yune is one of those individuals.

     His career began as a trader on Wall Street. His modeling success includes being the first Asian American to work for Polo and Versace.

     He has been featured in several magazines such as GQ, Details and was selected by Newsweek as a "New Face of 1999". Rick soon found he enjoyed acting over modeling.

     "Modeling was fun. No matter how glamorous modeling may look it just wasn't fulfilling. I worked at a clothes store in a mall at 16 and I felt the same thing."

     Model Yuichi D. Segawa from California enjoys acting and modeling. He has a different but positive outlook of the industry.

     "I haven’t felt anything negative so far. You never know what is going to happen until you get out there because I believe there is a market for it now. Be willing to take chances and take some risks," Yuichi said.

     Unfortunately, many Asian models don’t stay in the modeling industry because of the glass ceiling which prevents minorities from achieving major success.

     Some advertising executives believe in the notion that if a nonwhite model is on the cover, sales will go down.

     Some don’t select Asians models due to their height.  Some feel that hiring one Asian model is enough to satisfy the community.

     Whatever reason given for the glass ceiling in the industry, the problem still exists.

     It will continue to exist in the future for many Asian models if changes are not made and it is up to you to voice your concerns.