If you see Tam Valley resident Kristen Kotik around town, you may want to be looking your best. Kotik, who comes to Marin from Philadelphia, is one of four hosts for E! Entertainment’s new Scouted television show. The series follows Kotik, along with three other scouts, across the country as they locate, mentor and help to train young models. Recently Kotik and crew have been seen at lunch at D’Angelo in Mill Valley, at Eastwood Park in Tam Valley and at the College of Marin. Kotik got her start in modeling, then moved on to scouting while living and working in Milan, Italy, and is now living happily ever after in Marin with her fiancé and five dogs.
Any models from Marin? The show features several Stars agency models; one in particular from Marin County is Nicole Domecus, who lives in Novato.
Five dogs? Is there a favorite? We started with three and then adopted two more. I am a sucker for a cute face. I’d have to say my favorite is the youngest, Hank; he is the only one allowed in the house. The dog is a little spoiled.
Where might you be scouting in Marin for the next season? The Village in Corte Madera is my favorite place to scout but I have been very successful at Whole Foods and Safeway too.
How did you hook up with Stars? When I was a scout and living in Milan, I would come to the Bay Area often to see family and visit the local agencies. I established a great relationship with the owners, the Claxon family, so it was a no-brainer that I would then become part of their agency once I moved to the Bay Area.
Any advice for kids who want to be a model? If you are passionate and think you have what it takes, contact a local agency like Stars. It does not and should not cost anything at all to begin modeling with a reputable agency. Also, modeling is a tough business and not for everyone; have realistic expectations so as to not be disappointed. Stars has an open call for new faces every Tuesday from 2 to 4 p.m. at our office in San Francisco.
What is the best part about your job? The best part of my job is seeing that young lady or young man I scouted shown on a magazine cover or walking the runway in Paris and knowing that I had a huge part in making their dreams come true!
What is the most challenging part of your job? If I had to choose something, I guess it would be the traveling, but all in all I love my job and feel blessed every day.
Favorite drink and where you like to drink it? The Nohito at Pacific Catch.
Mimi Towle has been the editor of Marin Magazine for over a decade. She lived with her family in Sycamore Park and Strawberry and thoroughly enjoyed raising two daughters in the mayhem of Marin’s youth sports; soccer, swim, volleyball, ballet, hip hop, gymnastics and many many hours spent at Miwok Stables. Her community involvements include volunteering at her daughter’s schools, coaching soccer and volleyball (glorified snack mom), being on the board of both Richardson Bay Audubon Center. Currently residing on a floating home in Sausalito, she enjoys all water activity, including learning how to steer a 6-person canoe for the Tamalpais Outrigger Canoe Club. Born and raised in Hawaii, her fondness for the islands has on occasion made its way into the pages of the magazine.
