To many the idea of being models is a a lucrative one judging from the level of recognition models get. The notion that that been created internationally is nothing short of glamorous.
However models in Kenya have highlighted the not so rosy side of this industry. According to beauty queen Sheila Kanini, they are mistreated by companies and agencies. She exposed big brands such as True love Magazine, Darling and Uber as being responsible in the mistreatment of models.
Sheila Kanini said that models one has to wait between 60 to 90 days before they are paid their dues. She exposed True Love Magazine of holding her pay for more than 5 months.
Her sentiments were echoed by other models who disclosed an angle of sexual favours in order to get jobs. A model also said that during a pageant competition, old men were brought for the models to entertain.
https://twitter.com/AmalMAbdul/status/961618215662161920
Fam, my friend was called for a "swimwear modelling gig" in Runda. Tools of trade are a bikini and Eiffel tower length heels. How was she paraded in front of old white men for easy pickings? Issa guise for pimping out naive models on the come up. #PayModelsKe
— Valedictorian (@_SandyJoan_) February 8, 2018
The beauty queen also exposed the financial exploitation that is linked with the modeling agencies and some brands. Sheila said that Samantha Bridal asking models to pay Sh 1000 for auditions amounted too fraud.
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They have asked brands who do not have budgets to pay them to put cars on their magazines rather than use the exposure narrative.
The models have said that just like other people they have bills that need to be paid and that the exploitation in the industry must stop.
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