The Dark Side Of Modeling
Blogs Modeling The Dark Side Of Modeling
No doubt it sounds exciting and glamorous to have a career that involves being the center of attention, catwalks, billboards, donning stylish accessories and branded clothes as well as traveling to exotic locations. However, like any public career, there is a dark side of modeling that remains understated since appearances can be deceptive.
The world of fashion comprises glamorous clothes and dazzling top of the line accessories, big names, high-end brands, however it is also speckled with somber tones and gray areas. Therefore, this article attempts to help those who aspire to it develop a rational perspective and understand the downside of this dream job as well.
1. The Pressure of Always Looking Good
The models need to look good all the time at any and every cost and that is what makes modeling a tricky job. Causing a lot of pressure and anxiety, this expectation isn’t realistic, thus unleashing the dark side of modeling. Moreover, modeling agencies and designers continue to consider zero size as the ideal and favor it. Rigorous exercising and careful, strict dieting as well as weight control is required to achieve and maintain this body ideal. To achieve the ideal weight and shape and stay unhealthily thin, some models resort to extreme measures like nose surgeries, breast augmentation surgeries, and liposuction. These procedures, beauty treatments, and professional portfolios are often required to be paid out of the pockets of the struggling models.
2. Long-term Health Issues at the Cost of Looking Good
Many models end up breaking down as they are unable to bear the unique demands and pressures of the modeling career for long. It also becomes difficult for them to recover on their own from the multitude of long-term physical, emotional and psychological issues that they develop because of the prevailing dark side of modeling. Some models develop serious health and emotional disorders due to their inability to stick to a demanding, unforgiving diet, fitness and beauty regimen. To escape the work pressure, most of them end up resorting to substance abuse like alcohol, drug addiction and self-prescribed medications like antidepressants.
3. A Taxing Work Environment
The attention of the agency, designers, clients, makeup artists, stylists, photographers, journalists, and, of course, the paparazzi all seem to be centered on a model. All of this attention might be alluring, but it also comes with a lot of pressure and obligations. To get a single shot right, models have to work for hours or even days. The expectations placed on you by stylists, creative directors, and others involved in the process may become intolerably harsh. More significantly, not everyone has the ability to make it to the top like Gisele Bundchen or Kate Moss, or even remain there for an extended period of time. Most models eventually fizzle out after continuing to struggle. Models are bound to be sidelined and forgotten by their agencies as soon as someone younger or sexier comes along. They are replaced faster than anyone else in the fashion industry with no job security in their line of work, thus making the dark side of modeling more visible.
4. Blurry Boundaries
The boundaries between being sexy and being normal, as well as between personal and professional, are often blurred for models. Their particular job requires them to exude sex appeal and use it to sell the concept or product. In their everyday lives, the young men and women frequently adopt this persona—or at the very least, it is expected of them. Those who are naive and struggling ultimately become prey to the predators and cons that are waiting to exploit them. In this industry, unwanted attention, sexual harassment, and sexual assault are all very common. Promiscuity and the presence of a casting couch are nevertheless subtle but undeniable secrets.
