The Dark Side Of Modeling

To most folks on the outside, modeling looks like a glamorous world of free clothing, fantastic hair and makeup, and the chance to schmooze with the rich and famous. However, if you've ever watched even one episode of "America's Next Top Model," you've seen some of the stresses models face — from long hours, ill-fitting clothing, and varied shooting locations to early mornings and last-minute shoots. Of course, knowing that in the early days of "America's Next Top Model," all the models were fairly new to the biz, you may think that it was just their naivete that made for stress and poor conditions, but even the most noted models have had struggles with their chosen career.

Kate Moss is a big name in the world of modeling, and she has her own experiences with the dark side of modeling. She explained to Newsweek, "I had a horrible experience with a bra catalog." Other big-name models have had experience with harassment as well. There are also cases of grueling hours for young models, not getting anything to eat or drink on shoots, and other instances where a model's life could be in jeopardy, no matter their age. So, let's take a deep dive into some of the darker corners of this career and the models who have survived to talk about it.

With busy schedules, models often experience burnout and major illness, even landing in the hospital. If you've watched any season of "America's Next Top Modeling," you've seen at least one contestant get extremely ill, and most likely landed in the hospital. This is the reality of this business. There's more to this than the extreme work schedules, though. Models don't always have time to eat or focus on eating enough calories for the energy they'll need on the runway or on a shoot.

"Fashion people are at risk for a variety of viral syndromes because they work long hours and they move in a pack," said Dr. Robert Glatter to The New York Times. Not only are they more susceptible to spreading viruses between one another, but if they're not taking time to eat healthy meals and stay properly hydrated each day, their immune system may not have all the nutrients needed to fight off even minor illnesses like the common cold.

While sexual harassment seems to be geared more toward budding models who are just starting out, many of those fresh faces are now big names in the industry. Kate Upton came out with her story in 2018, tweeting: "It's disappointing that such an iconic women's brand Guess is still empowering Paul Marciano as their creative director #metoo." She gave an interview to Time magazine that year, fully describing her experience with Marciano, as she remembers it, and we definitely want to express a trigger warning before you read it if you've ever been sexually harassed. 

One of the most shocking quotes on sexual harassment in the modeling industry came from Paulina Porizkova in talks with The New York Times. She pointed out that in the early days of her career, models were essentially groomed to just take sexual harassment as a compliment from the people they were working with. "We were renting our body and face. Your body wasn't your own," she said. Most of these incidents happened to teenage models and occurred many years ago, but they have been working on standing up and making it known that things aren't perfect in today's industry either.

And speaking of those bad habits some models fall into, this happened in the case of Gia, often considered the first supermodel. Former Vogue fashion director Jade Hobson spoke about the use of obviously drug-addicted models like Gia Carangi, as stated in an article on Daily Mail: "We made them into something. We created a monster. We maybe exploited these girls." Anne of Carversville quoted model Sophie Anderton as saying, "Drugs are so accessible within the industry, and it is very difficult to steer completely clear of them."

Then, there are some models who revel in the experiences they had around the hedonistic parts of the industry, including the drugs and sex. Case in point: Janice Dickinson, who, to some, is best known for her role as a judge for many cycles of "America's Next Top Model." She told The Standard, "People ask me what it was like ... but I don't remember. We were all so high." She added, "People were walking around with coke spoons at parties. I tried everything. I was high-speed Janice. I was addicted to drugs and alcohol." For some, drugs may have been a way to keep going — for others, a way to block out the stress of this career.

Modeling jobs aren't always in your hometown, so models spend a lot of time traveling. They don't just stay in their home country either, which can cause some problems with miscommunication at times. Imagine traveling to a country you've never been to before, to meet with people you don't know who don't speak the same language as you, but they're going to be the people directing you. Gisele Bundchen had this happen early in her career, and she told Vogue about the experience. She recalled that she couldn't speak much English yet and was wondering what she'd be wearing for the shoot. "I just pretended I understood ... And I was like, 'Is it a T-shirt or something?' No, it was this. So I started crying."

It's what she did afterward that stands out. "I was walking the whole time thinking, 'I hope my dad doesn't ever see this picture,'" she added. "That's why I have the memory of this show, all I wanted to do was leave but you know, it's one of those things that make you stronger." Rather than run, like she wanted to, she stayed — and staying likely helped push her career along.

Modeling may seem like a luxurious and well-paying career. And while some who make it to supermodel status may do pretty well in the banking department, some models live in near poverty while trying to launch their careers. Ashley Mears, model and assistant professor of sociology at Boston University, spoke with NPR about some of the models she met while being a model herself, and how the struggle to stay afloat financially was a big thing for some. "There's an enormous pile of people who are struggling to make ends meet or just getting by, that are hoping for their chance to become winners as well," she said.

Fashion Republic breaks down the estimates of what models make, as well as pointing out some of the top paid models. Even runway models, at an average of $500 a show, will need to be working a few shows a month just to eke by on bills — and if you're living in a place where the cost of living is pretty high, you'll need to do a few shows a week to survive.

Getting rejected for anything sucks, and in the modeling world, there's a lot of it. You may get rejected for a job for all sorts of reasons, from being too short to having the wrong look. Even Kendell Jenner has been turned down for jobs. No matter how new or old you are to the game, there's often a lot of competition out there when it comes to scoring modeling jobs. So, while you want to go in there with a good outlook, you also want to be ready for the punch to the gut that is rejection.

Bridget Malcolm wrote on her blog about her struggles with rejection due to weight. "I have been rewarded with my highest profile clients when my hips were at their smallest (33 inches)," Malcolm wrote. "And when I gained half an inch from that, I lost those clients — being told that my body did not look good enough." This is one of those cases that can lead some models down a dark path of eating disorders. Sure, there are other jobs out there, but if modeling is a dream job for someone, trying to convince them to do something else with their life can be crushing.

If you or anyone you know needs help with addiction issues or an eating disorder, or has been a victim of sexual assault, contact the relevant resources below:

• The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website or contact SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).

• The National Eating Disorders Association website or contact NEDA's Live Helpline at 1-800-931-2237. You can also receive 24/7 Crisis Support via text (send NEDA to 741-741).

• The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network website or contact RAINN's National Helpline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).