Ella Emhoff, Vice President Kamala Harris’ Stepdaughter, Signs Modeling Contract With IMG

Ella Emhoff, stepdaughter of Vice President Kamala Harris and daughter of Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, has signed a contract with the agency IMG Models.

IMG Models is one of the most prestigious modeling agencies in the world, representing famous models such as Gisele Bündchen, Gigi Hadid, Bella Hadid and Stephanie Seymour. 

“It’s not really about shape, size or gender any more,” said Ivan Bart, the president of IMG Models, told The New York Times. “Ella communicates this moment in time. There’s a cheekiness and a joy she exudes.”

Bart said Emhoff caught his eye at the presidential primaries during the summer of 2020. He started talking to her about signing with them shortly after that.

Emhoff said she was surprised they reached out to her because she never thought of modeling as part of her plan.

“As someone who, like a lot of young girls out there, had self-confidence issues, it is intimidating and scary to go into this world that is hyper-focused on you and the body,” she said.

She said she saw more diversity within the modeling industry, which changed her mind about the whole concept. She was also motivated by the idea that she could be part of that change.

Emhoff, who is a senior at Parsons School of Design in New York City, was labeled as a breakout fashion star for her outfit at the Presidential Inauguration where she wore a Miu Miu coat and a burgundy Batsheva dress. Since then, Emhoff has been receiving a lot of attention in the media and on social media

“What she wore and who she was that day was in line with the person I met,” Bart said. “That’s why everyone noticed her.”

Emhoff signed her contract shortly after poet Amanda Gorman also signed with IMG. Gorman has also been receiving attention since reading her poem The Hill We Climb at the Presidential Inauguration.