Trump's representatives say he entered the modeling industry because it was very profitable and a fantastic business opportunity in the Miss Universe deal.

Allowed Trump to realize his ambition of turning a pageant into an international televised event in 1997.

He sold 50% stake in the business to CBS.

Five years later, amid a slump in the Miss Universe ratings, Trump brokered a deal with NBC

that led to the launch of The Apprentice in 2004.

The move into reality TV positioned Trump as a heavyweight tycoon with a significant

media profile in many ways.

It was a natural progression for his involvement in beauty contests and pageants,

where once he had judge young models whose hopes, rivalries, and insecurities became TV storylines

and Fox's look of the year documentary.

Now he was ruthlessly separating aspiring business people into winners and losers.

Three decades on from the contest at Trump's Plaza,

it's striking to reflect on the diverging fortunes of those who attended.

Many of the powerful men, Casablanca, is brought on board to help judge the girls

thrived in the years that followed.

Gerald Marie is now the chairman of a prestigious modeling agency in Paris,

Wee Management.

Although Marie told the Guardian, he had retired,

his LinkedIn, his responsibilities at the thriving newcomer agency,

a scouting for and managing talent,

We management did not respond to requests for a comment.

David Copperfield remains a prominent entertainer with a current residency at MGM Grand Resort

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