RULES
Last Updated: 2025.03.24
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Overview
Consumer Disclosure
Operator
Eligibility and Consent
How to Enter
How to Vote
Competition Schedule
Notification to Competitors
Prizes & Winner Notification
Requirements of Winner(s)
Use of Content
Conduct & Disqualification
No Refund Policy
Withdrawal & Disqualification
Waiver and Limitations of Liability
Dispute Resolution and Mandatory Arbitration
Termination
Contact Info
No Affiliation
OVERVIEW This is a binding legal agreement. By entering, voting, or participating in the Light Up Model Search ("Competition"), you agree to abide by these Rules, the Terms of Use, and the Privacy Policy. Light Up reserves the right to disqualify any participant who violates any term.
CONSUMER DISCLOSURE Participation in this Competition constitutes consent to these Rules. These Rules include a class action waiver and a binding arbitration clause. Participants waive any right to sue in court or participate in a class action. All disputes shall be resolved individually, through arbitration in New York, NY.
OPERATOR The Light Up Model Search is operated by Light Up NYC. All communications should be directed to ops@lightup.nyc.
ELIGIBILITY AND CONSENT Entrants must be 18+ and legal residents of the U.S. or Canada (excluding Quebec). Employees, contractors, and immediate family members of Light Up are ineligible. By entering, you grant Light Up permission to use your name, image, and submitted materials for marketing. You also confirm that all submitted content is your original work and that you have obtained necessary rights and releases.
HOW TO ENTER Visit www.lightup.nyc/modelsearch to submit your entry form and at least one qualifying image. Images must be original, not infringe on third-party rights, and be free from explicit content. One entry per person. Entries may be edited, modified, or featured by Light Up across media platforms.
HOW TO VOTE Voting is public. One free vote per day per voter. Additional votes can be cast via donation. Competitors may not vote for themselves or pay for votes. Bot activity, vote-buying, or unfair manipulation will result in disqualification. Voting activity is subject to audit.
COMPETITION SCHEDULE
Entry Period Opens: June 1, 2025
Entry Closes: July 1, 2025
Top 20: July 2–July 12
Top 10: July 13–July 23
Final Round: July 24–August 5
Winner Announced: On or before September 1, 2025
Dates subject to change at Light Up’s discretion.
NOTIFICATION TO COMPETITORS Participants advancing to each round will be notified by email or phone. Light Up may request additional materials and conduct background checks on finalists. Refusal to comply may result in disqualification.
PRIZES & WINNER NOTIFICATION The Grand Prize winner will receive:
$1,000 cash
Editorial feature in Light Up Magazine
Custom apparel feature
Professional photo shoot in New York City
Round-trip coach airfare to NYC
Three (3) nights hotel (3-star minimum)
Ground transportation to/from airport, hotel, and shoot
Potential modeling contract consideration
All travel must occur during Fall 2025. Winner must provide valid ID and travel documentation. If winner cannot attend, Light Up may select an alternate. Prizes are non-transferable and may be substituted.
REQUIREMENTS OF WINNER(S) Winners must complete an affidavit of eligibility, liability/publicity release, and W9 (or equivalent tax form). Refusal or delay in signing documents may result in forfeiture. Winners agree to appear in promotional content and uphold Light Up’s standards of conduct.
USE OF CONTENT By submitting, you grant Light Up a perpetual, royalty-free, worldwide license to use your content for promotional purposes in all formats. This includes edits, adaptations, or derivative works.
CONDUCT & DISQUALIFICATION Participants must conduct themselves respectfully. Harassment, tampering, or rule violations will result in removal. Light Up reserves the right to disqualify anyone for behavior deemed harmful, disruptive, or inconsistent with brand values.
NO REFUND POLICY All donations made in exchange for votes are final. No refunds will be granted, even if a participant withdraws or is disqualified.
WITHDRAWAL & DISQUALIFICATION Withdrawal requests must be emailed to ops@lightup.nyc and may take up to 48 hours to process. Withdrawn or disqualified participants will be removed without refund of any associated votes.
WAIVER AND LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY Participants release Light Up and its affiliates from liability related to participation, travel, or prize use. Light Up is not responsible for technical errors, lost data, or damage resulting from the Competition.
DISPUTE RESOLUTION AND MANDATORY ARBITRATION All claims must be resolved through arbitration in New York, NY under the rules of the American Arbitration Association. Class actions and jury trials are waived.
TERMINATION Light Up reserves the right to cancel, suspend, or modify the Competition due to technical failures, fraud, or unforeseen events. In the event of cancellation, Light Up may choose to name a winner or terminate without a winner.
CONTACT INFO Questions? Contact ops@lightup.nyc for assistance or to request a winner list.
NO AFFILIATION This Competition is not sponsored or endorsed by Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, or any third-party platform. It is operated solely by Light Up NYC.
This ruleset is built to protect participants and Light Up while keeping our culture authentic and community-first. Know the rules. Make your mark. Keep it lit.
