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While I was scrolling through my Facebook feed and generally pretending that finals were not a week or so away, I stumbled across an article from the NY Post entitled “I gave up modeling for God.” Curious and eager to procrastinate further, I clicked the link and saw a girl that I vaguely remember cheering for during the Victoria Secret Fashion show a few short years ago. During the modeling competition, she clearly had the best walk and really took over the runway. I quickly texted my friends who were also dedicated to watching the Victoria Secret Fashion Show every winter.
I really love Kylie! I think she is going to win.
And win she did! I remember running into fencing practice talking excitedly and shamelessly about the competition.
As you can see, I’m a big fan of VS show!
It was glamorous. It was artistically breathtaking. Most of all, the fashion show is fun! I shamelessly joked around in my den and attempted to strut like the models on the screen.
But, now Kylie? The Kylie? With the awesome walk? Had given up her career for God?
I had to read more. I was too curious. Why did she think she couldn’t practice her religion as well as continue her modeling career?
“I pretty much restricted my diet to oatmeal, fruits and vegetables to meet runway expectations. I’m 5-foot-10, and I got down to 115 pounds with measurements of 34-24-34. In February 2007, New York Fashion Week was approaching, and while everyone I knew was being sent out to auditions, I wasn’t.
“Why am I still going on test shoots?” I asked my agent.
“It’s because you look like a fat cow right now, Kylie. You need to lose 2 inches off of your hips,” the agent said.
After cutting my diet even further to just pineapples, watermelon and liters of water while exercising two hours a day, six days a week, I finally dropped down to 108 pounds, which satisfied my agent, and the gigs started rolling in.”
Whoa. I continued to read on about her feelings of being less than human and more of a “piece of meat” being used to attract men. I read about her topless shot at the young age of 16. Photographers pushing her up against walls, attempting to kiss her. Demands to “play down her marriage” to the love of her life.  And of course, the strict diet and exercise routine.
Now, Kylie lives in Montana with her husband and volunteers at her local church. In her own words, she has given up modeling to become a “Proverbs 31” wife.
Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised.
She also writes her own blog about healthy living and faith and I give her major credit for her decision.
The fashion world is an inspiring and beautiful space but it is also very disgusting in some respects and I’m happy Kylie spoke up about her experience in the modeling industry. It has been a common trope that eating disorders and unhealthy living have been associated with the fashion industry. It’s has become the norm, so much so that we don’t think twice about the eating habits of the stick thin model in front of us. We become caught up in the lights, glitz and glamour. We assume that the rumors we have heard were made up and that these troubles don’t exist. We need more pieces like Kylie and more models willing to speak up truthfully about their experience in this industry.
There are so many positive things about being a runway model. But, there are also many horrible obstacles within this life and I am challenging these models to be honest and share the good, the bad and the ugly.
I want the full perspective from these models. They are not perfect. They are human and I know they have many stories that deserve to be heard.
http://www.nypost.com/p/entert…
Also, be sure to check out Victoria Secret’s response to Kylie’s tell-all! Spoiler: They weren’t happy.
http://www.latimes.com/enterta…
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