#MeToo is coming for sleazy fashion photographers.
Marcus Hyde, who has shot for the likes of Kim Kardashian, Ariana Grande, Kanye West, Chance the Rapper, and Childish Gambino.
“Last night, Los Angeles model and interior design student @sunnnaya replied to the celebrity photographer’s Instagram story seeking models for a shoot. What transpired in their DM was nothing short of the typical predatory douchebaggery you’d expect via shady Instagram ‘castings’ by slimy dudes,” Diet Prada revealed on Instagram. The account shared screenshots by model Sunnaya Nash of her alleged direct messages with Marcus, which show the photographer asking her for nude photos in exchange for a free photoshoot. When she refused, Hyde said she would have to pay him £1,600.
Several celebrities, such as Victoria’s Secret model Leomie Anderson, RuPaul’s Drag Race judge, and model and singer Karen Elson, have since commented in light of this revelation. Even Ariana Grande responded by posting a message on her Instagram Stories. “Dear models/artists in LA / anywhere, I have just read some shocking and really heart-breaking stories. I hate that this is a conversation,” she wrote. “Please do not shoot with photographers who make you uncomfortable or make you feel like you need to take your clothing off if you don’t want to.”
“If they tell you you have to pay more money if you’re clothed that’s f*cked and I’m sorry that has happened to you,” she continued. “I hate hearing about things like this. I am sorry that this was anybody’s experience and know that it doesn’t have to be.”
Kim Kardashian has spoken up too. “My own experiences have always been professional, and I am deeply shocked, saddened and disappointed to learn that other women have had very different experiences. I stand in full support of every woman’s right to not be harassed, asked or pressured to do anything they are not comfortable with,” she said. “We cannot allow this type of behavior to go unnoticed and I applaud those who speak out.”
In addition, Diet Prada has also called out Timur Emek, “New York-based Turkish photographer who has shot for @victoriassecret.” The account also showed receipts in the form of screenshots by his alleged victims. “Along with the forced crotch-grabbing account from @byhaleybowman, Emek also offered ‘help’ in the industry to @lizamarieju in exchange for ‘some fun.’” Diet Prada added, “The photographer also went as far as lying to Turkish model @deniiztekiin in June 2017, telling her that her agency at the time had already approved a topless shoot, which of course didn’t actually happen as he had already been on their agency blacklist of photographers.”
These accounts are truly upsetting. It’s time we put a stop to these men who use their position to prey on women. To quote Diet Prada, “For every model with an agency, there are dozens of girls who are navigating independent modeling work on their own. The stories on the rest of the slides are unfortunately all too familiar. #TimesUp for these shitty men.”
[Independent]
Photo courtesy of Unsplash
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