While she was working up the cash for a new outfit or socking it away for college, Alyssa did what plenty of people did before graduating high school and worked at McDonald’s. I’ve done it. And so have millions of others, but few of those got to be part of a national ad campaign for the fast-food chain at the same time.
Alyssa wasn’t aware how widespread the picture would become, but soon everyone was telling her. She wasn’t an employee anymore, so she got paid for her appearance. We wonder if it was cold hard cash or meals. Having worked there, I know which one I would prefer.
Ask for Permission First
“Sondra Tamagotchi” looks pretty happy with her physical health in her picture, but she was not pleased one bit to see herself in the poster. A minute of fame may be one thing, but Sondra wasn't aware she would even be the subject.
She was only helping the photographer set up the shot when he used her as a lighting test, and then the next thing she knew, she was seeing her face looking back at her from flyers and banners. As someone whose entire career is having pictures of herself taken, Chrissy Teigen was quick to point out that this was not cool.
At Least He Got Paid
Ahri Findling is now a comedian and TV writer, but he got his start in the entertainment industry as a model for the sporting goods store where he worked as an employee. When the hired model turned out to be a no-show, Ahri stepped in to help out. He ended up appearing all over the east coast, as well as in newspapers.
He even had to wear Spanx but had to have them cut off because he couldn't get them off over his shoulders. Not only does he have great fodder for his next stand-up bit, but he also got a twenty-five-dollar gift card, and he got to keep the Spanx.
Two Minutes of Fame
She's also made national fame by being the face of Halloween, but Jessie Cannizzaro has another claim to minor fame. She and her brother were on the cover of an R.L. Stine book when Jessie was five. She wasn't supposed to be, but the young model hired didn't show up. That seems to happen a lot.
Anyway, Jessie and her brother both posed for the cover of “Children of Fear” and much later got Stine to sign a few copies for her and her brother. What a mensch. He didn't remember them, but he's been busy for a long time. He can't be expected to remember every child model.
I Get Paid for This, Right?
Joshua Hernandez is no big actor, but he still managed to appear next to a long list of stars when he was an extra in “Mockingjay Part 1” as a district 8 citizen. That's him in the checkered shirt. Whether he had to audition for the role or was volunteering off the street, we hope that this wasn't a real volunteer gig.
If you're acting in the same shot as Jennifer Lawrence, you deserve a little bit of cash. Joshua tells us that the photo was everywhere leading up to the release of the films. Not everybody gets to be in a box-office hit, so we hope Joshua enjoyed it.