TALENTED: The Ryan Colby Story
Most people come to understand the entertainment industry through perfectly packaged snapshots in time. Maybe it's a magazine cover that caused the world to pause for a brief moment, a movie that shaped culture for a particular era or an actor whose presence captured hearts and minds for years. But, very few people can say that they’ve seen it all from the inside out. Such is the case for talent manager Ryan Colby, founder of talent agency Ryan Colby Management.
But, very few people can say that they’ve seen it all from the inside out. Such is the case for talent manager Ryan Colby, founder of talent agency Ryan Colby Management.
Not only does he run one of the most successful independent modeling agencies around, but this hard-working Canadian native built it all from scratch. After gathering years of knowledge first as talent himself modeling for major European labels and appearing in over 60 television commercials, Colby then became a talent associate for some of the biggest global agencies in existence today including IMG Models, Elite Model Management and others. Through his many years of experience, Colby developed a keen eye for spotting talent. Colby started Ryan Colby Management with the mission of giving people a chance to achieve the success that they have long dreamt of.
July 2021 - Sherman Oaks, California -
It’s a sunny afternoon on a Friday in Los Angeles’s tranquil neighborhood of Sherman Oaks.
Ryan Colby is where he usually is: in front of his computer screen managing the whereabouts of the models and actors he represents.
On this particular day, he is handling a last minute request for some of his New York models to be featured in a photo campaign; though he is currently in town producing photo shoots and overseeing his talent that is filming a television series at CBS Studios.
As a bi-coastal agent, Colby spends his time between the West Coast and the East Coast’s Tri-state area. But, travels often as his work takes him seemingly everywhere.
Next stop, Arizona.
“I am heading to Arizona for a commercial print shoot that I am art directing”, says Colby who has a background in art direction from working at Conde Nast for three years.
From the outside looking in, the life of Ryan Colby can seem very glamorous. But make no mistake, it took years of hard work to be able to manage the current roster of talent that he has built.
For Colby, It all started at age 12, when he got approached by a major photographer during his training as a ballet dancer in London.
“When I was dancing and doing recitals, I got the opportunity to train with schools overseas. When I was training in London at a ballet school I got approached by a major photographer who asked if I had ever modeled. He contacted my mother and the rest is history. I was 12 years old”, Ryan recalls.
After being in front of the camera for 15 years, Colby realized that there was much more to this industry than just being the talent. He eventually chose to explore the other side of the business - talent management.
V SHADES: What was the first agency you worked for and what was your role?
RYAN COLBY: Elite Model Management. I was in charge of grooming the girls for Look of the Year and helping them get confidence to model.
V SHADES: What was the second agency you worked for and what was your role?
RYAN COLBY: IMG. I was in charge of new faces - men, scouting & development and grooming.
V SHADES: What made you leave and do it all on your own?
RYAN COLBY: I left because I was ready to do it on my own. I’m a natural leader and like doing my own thing. It was bad or malicious, just necessary.
V SHADES: Please elaborate on your methodology as a talent agent and how it differs from the typical industry model of treating talent as expendable people.
RYAN COLBY: Every person is different. Some latch on to this industry real easy and go smoothly and some need to ease in and get used to the major cities, the different personalities, etc. So, I give them a chance to grow.
V SHADES: What drives you to work hard for your talent each day?
RYAN COLBY: Helping people achieve goals. It's that simple. I love the look on someone's face when they see their first TV commercial or cover.
V SHADES: Where is the strangest place you have scouted talent?
RYAN COLBY: UPS delivery guy. He ended up modeling for me for five years.
V SHADES: What are some of your most notable career accomplishments?
RYAN COLBY: My first gig was as the face of Benetton. It launched a 15 year career and I'm grateful for the opportunity. Also, art directing several dozen covers for such magazines as Spanish Vogue, Spanish Harper's Bazaar, Italian GQ and many others.
V SHADES: What projects are you working on now and what do you have coming up?
RYAN COLBY: I have major assignments coming. And major producers like Ryan Murphy and others looking at some of my talent for bookings. Plus, NYC fashion week is coming up and that will be fun because of the lull the industry had due to the virus. And, what's next is new talent and booming the existing talent to greater heights. It's all the same, just different days.
As the world of Ryan Colby continues to spin at an accelerated rate, Colby has no intention of slowing down anytime soon. So long as his talent have the dream, the passion lives within him to help them fulfill it.
Learn more about Colby Management at www.RyanColbyManagement.com + Check out Ryan Colby Management Models in V SHADES below:
