- September 7, 2024
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Thomas and Kailei Renick pose in front of the Ron Jon Surf Shop billboard with their photo. Courtesy photo
Thomas Renick was recently booked for a hand modeling job with Publix. Courtesy photo
Kailei and Tyler Renick model together for Ron Jon Surf Shop. Courtesy photo
A behind-the-scenes look at Thomas Renick's shoot with Publix. Courtesy photo
Stephanie and Kailei Renick. Courtesy photo
Kailei Renick looks at herself the mirror while in wardrobe before a commercial shoot. Courtesy photo
Kailei Renick was only 6 months old when she was signed as a model.
Her mom, Stephanie Renick, said she didn’t know where it would all lead. When Kailei was born, she looked like “a little doll baby,” Stephanie said, and people told her she should look into having her model. So she did.
Now, six-and-a-half years later, it’s not just Kailei in the spotlight — her 10-year-old brother Thomas is now acting and modeling, and so are their parents from time to time.
“I like to do it because it’s fun,” 7-year-old Kailei said.
She loves going into hair and makeup and trying on clothes when she does commercials. Her brother Thomas loves being on set, he said. His goal is to star in a movie one day.
“I love doing the scenes,” he said.
At first, it was just the kids who were modeling and acting, but when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, agents started to hire within the household for bookings. Stephanie said she and her husband Tyler were asked if they would be interested in doing jobs alongside their kids.
“We were like, ‘Sure,’” Stephanie said. “‘We’re not shy. We’ll do it.’ ... We’ve done several family jobs together that’s taken us really cool places.”
They’ve modeled for L3Harris Technologies, Disney, Ron Jon Surf Shop and Burger King. Kailei’s first big job was for Tire Kingdom.
Last year, one of Stephanie’s friends sent her a message on Facebook. She had just seen Kailei and Thomas on a billboard for Ron Jon. It came as a surprise to Stephanie and the family drove 40 minutes to go see it on I-4.
Kailei said she was amazed to see herself on a billboard. Thomas thought it was pretty big too — he asked Ron Jon representatives if he could have it.
“They’re like, ‘I don’t think it’ll fit in your house,’” Stephanie said.
This upcoming year will be a new venture for the family, as the kids were recently licensed to work in Georgia. Hoping to book movie jobs in the future, the Renicks are homeschooling their kids, who were previously students at Riverbend Academy.
Stephanie said it makes her “heart happy” to see the kids experience the industry — something she never thought they would get into as a family.
When the kids book a job, Stephanie said she reminds them to be thankful, humble and polite. They won’t get every job, and sometimes they’ll get upset because they’ll have their heart set on something, but she said she reminds them better opportunities are coming.
“What I always tell them is, ‘You’re interviewing against hundreds of kids,’” she said. “... So be you and have fun.”
