Models have limits too
Lily spends her days as a model, rushing from shoot to show and then to yet another casting. On Amayzine, she tells you all about what her life is really like. Under a different name, of course, but that means she can share all the juicy details. This week: models have limits too.
Many people struggle with setting their boundaries. You drink just one drink too many, give that annoying person a kiss anyway, or fetch toilet paper for the tenth time in a row. Of course, everyone has different boundaries, and it’s always a bit of a search when you meet new people. But imagine, you do something you regret later and there are photos taken of it, then you can only hope that one photo isn’t chosen and you can breathe a sigh of relief again.
Dressing rooms
Of course, no photos are taken here, but I still want to mention it once. It happens quite often that there is no place for the model to change on set. Now, some are easier with this than others, but I believe you should at least have the choice to change in a fitting room. I have (unfortunately) gotten used to it by now, but I think there are few people who would want to strip down to a skin-colored thong in front of a group of strangers. Sometimes it even goes a bit further. I recently heard from a friend that the stylist, when she asked if there was a place where she could change privately, looked at her angrily and thought it was a ridiculous question. After all, no other model had ever asked for this before. ‘Dressing room? Pfff, don’t be such a diva!’
Topless
‘No, if the blouse blows open while running, I’ll let you know. No, no, such a photo won’t be used then.’ Click click click. And suddenly my boobs were on the photographer's Instagram account (untagged, of course). All about the free the nipple movement, but I definitely reported that unsolicited topless Baywatch moment. Fortunately, the post was removed after a few days.
Reacties
As I’ve mentioned before, as a model, you get to know every millimeter of your body or face. Apparently, it’s completely acceptable to say everything that stands out loud when a camera is pointed at someone. ‘Wow, suck in your stomach, you just have a little bulge there,’ or: ‘Your mouth corners are drooping,’ and: ‘Your nose doesn’t look good in profile, just keep your head straight towards the camera.’
The camera functions as a kind of magical wand that removes all rules and social norms. Suddenly, you are no longer a human, but a canvas that can be commented on.
Personal space
I’m no longer surprised when a stylist disappears under my skirt to straighten my shirt or when someone is constantly tugging at my hair. There has even been a time when (unsolicited) a tissue was shoved up my nose to remove a booger. I don’t even mind that much. But what really makes me furious is when I am treated like a mannequin. Instead of being asked to stand somewhere else, I am pulled by my arm over there. Or sometimes someone pushes my leg, arm, or back into a certain position. My feet are occasionally lifted without asking and placed somewhere else, and even my head is turned in certain directions.
The caveman didn’t develop language for nothing, and I find it very annoying to ‘crawl back into the cave’ as soon as I’m on set. If I say something about it, that person often hasn’t even realized it and offers their apologies.
So, dear people, communicate, set your boundaries, and go for world peace.
Kisses from Lily XX
