Thomas Pacheco is Rewriting The Rules of Modelling

here is an unspoken measurement in the modelling industry. Taller is better. Taller is more editorial, more runway, more everything.

At 175cm, Thomas Pacheco has heard the rejection that follows that logic more times than most people could stomach. More than fifty agencies told him the same thing: too short, not the right fit, not what we're looking for.

Most people would have stopped there. Thomas didn't.

Instead of trying to force himself into an industry that wasn't built for him, he carved out a space of his own. By leaning into commercial, lifestyle and e-commerce modelling, while documenting the journey online, he built a career that has since taken him from Los Angeles to New York and across Asia.

Below, he talks about rejection, investing in himself, building a personal brand and why modern modelling is about far more than fitting the traditional mould.

Image © Mickey Hammy. All rights reserved.

What was the moment you decided to keep going after the rejections? Was there a specific point where something shifted for you?

Honestly, the rejection almost made me want it more. I realised early on that modelling is a lot of “no’s” before the right “yes” comes. Being 175 cm as a male model, I knew I wasn’t walking into an industry built for me, so I had two choices: let that stop me or build something different. The shift happened when I stopped trying to fit the traditional mould and started focusing on what made me marketable — commercial, lifestyle, personality, and building a brand around who I already was.

You invested your own savings into your career early on, how scary was that, and what made you believe it was worth the risk?

It was definitely scary because there were no guarantees. I self-funded shoots, travel, portfolio updates, and opportunities without knowing what would come back from it. But I believed if I treated modelling like a real business instead of a hobby, eventually the opportunities would catch up. I saw it as investing in myself. I’d rather take the risk and know I tried than wonder “what if” later.

A lot of models try to fit the mould. When did you consciously decide to build around your differences rather than go against them?

When I realised fighting my differences was exhausting. I’m 175 cm, I have a more commercial look, and I naturally connect more with lifestyle and e-commerce than ultra-high fashion. Instead of chasing something that didn’t fully fit me, I started leaning into what made me different — being relatable, marketable, and building both modelling and social media at the same time. That’s when things started feeling more authentic.

What does a typical casting look like for you, and how has your experience in the room changed as your career has grown?

A typical casting is usually quick — walk in, digitals, maybe a walk, answer a few questions, and leave. Early on, I was nervous and trying too hard to be what I thought they wanted. As I’ve grown, I’ve gotten more comfortable just being myself. Confidence matters. People can tell when you know your lane and trust what you bring to the table.

Image © Dexter Novilla. All rights reserved.

Social media has clearly been a big part of how you’ve built your brand. Was that a deliberate strategy or did it happen naturally?

A bit of both. At first, I just started sharing my journey, but over time I realised social media could actually support my modelling career. Especially now, brands want personality and reach, not just photos. I wanted to show the reality behind modelling — the travel, the hard work, the setbacks, and the wins. I think being authentic has helped people connect with me.

What’s something about the modelling industry that you wish more people understood?

That it’s a real job and a lot more work than people think. Most people only see the finished photos, but not the castings, rejection, travel, networking, portfolio building, or uncertainty. There’s also no single path anymore. You don’t have to fit one mould to build a career if you’re willing to adapt and stay consistent.

You’re based between LA, New York, and Asia, what does that life actually look like day to day?

It’s exciting, but honestly a little chaotic sometimes. One month I can be in LA focusing on castings and content, another in New York for opportunities, and then Asia working, networking, and creating. Day to day it’s balancing fitness, skincare, castings, content, emails, shoots, and trying to stay grounded while constantly adapting to different markets.

8. And to finish up what do you think is next for you?

Right now, I’m focused on continuing to grow — stronger commercial and e-commerce work, expanding agency representation internationally, and building my social media alongside modeling. Long term, I want to prove that there’s space in this industry for people who don’t fit the traditional expectations. I think I’m just getting started.

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