Chrissy Teigen has talked about this grimier side of the profession, saying that models have turned to having sex for lots of money. “Did you know there are hookers in Cannes who charge $30,000 a night[?],” she said to Du Jour Magazine in 2014. “A lot of models go there to make their side money.
Jazz Egger, who has been modelling since the age of 13. She has participated in Germany’s Next Top Model, been a finalist for Elite Model Look, and boasts 35,000 Instagram followers. She has spoken out before about the size zero debate, as well as "sleep deprivation" and the pressure on young models to amass millions of Instagram followers. The 20 year old London-based model came forward with shocking allegations that exposed the secret of prostitution within the fashion industry.
These revelations show the bleak reality forced upon many young women in the industry (or hoping to be). The whistleblowers have sent ripples through fashion’s glamorous facade by bringing up modeling agencies and luxury brands mixed up in the darker side.
Jazz Egger found herself far removed from the glossy magazine covers. It was at an exclusive Club in the heart of London where she got an unsettling proposition. Egger says she was told about an “image modeling job” that would involve a trip on a yacht in Greece with a trio of millionaires. The glamour was tempting but Egger's intuition prompted her to decline. The story however didn't end there.
The following week another offer surfaced: This time dinner with a famous actor at a high-end restaurant. Edgar later shared screenshots of the conversation with an agent known only as “George” with The Daily Mail which showed an offer of $2,600 for a private meeting that would last one to two hours. The red flag: An expectation of “natural intimacy” with a young handsome Iranian guy.
She said, “I'm a model not an escort.”
The agent's reply was chilling: “...Everyone enjoys having sex, especially with good-looking guys. What is the shame? Society creates double standards that make women feel guilty…”
He went on to claim that is how the fashion industry works and that most models get to where they were through something like this. He even sent Egger screenshots of models who he allegedly worked with." George further disclosed to Jazz that one of the most established modeling agencies in the world was a "partner client" of the company that had approached her for sex work. He said: "All of these modelling agencies are run by hedge fund managers wanting to meet girls."
Lying Hustler or Seeds of Truth?
This was the moment of Revelation for Egger as she realized that such propositions were not isolated incidents but a pervasive issue within the industry. “When I shared the article, many of my model colleagues messaged me, telling me about their experiences. It was sad to see that it’s such a common and usual thing.” According to The Daily Mail, Egger says that “established models” from “big agencies” have been involved with these shady operations for as much as $2 million per night. She further goes on to claim that a pair of young supermodels who are “household names” have dabbled in prostitution in order to get a leg up in their careers.
As her story gained traction it shed light on the dark corners of the fashion world where young models are often seen as commodities rather than artists of their craft. Jazz Egger's allegations sparked a conversation about the systemic issues that many had suspected but few had dared to discuss openly. What is the role of modeling agencies? Are they Protectors of their talent or facilitators of these clandestine meetings? Egger's account suggested that the line between modeling and escorting had been blurred for some.
The shock waves rippled far beyond her personal encounters when in a 2015 report by OK! magazine, an industry insider said: "Wealthy businessmen will have someone reach out to agencies on their behalf to request appearances from these girls. "A private dinner can cost up to six figures, so of course the agencies take a cut. Don't expect your trip to be entirely free though. "If you are lounging on a rich guy's yacht and drinking his champagne, chances are something is expected of you - whether it is a kiss or a lot of time on the dance floor."
The reactions from the fashion industry were mixed while some insiders condemned these practices and called for change, others remained tight-lipped, perhaps fearful of the repercussions or the dismantling of a system that had operated in the shadows for so long. The silence from some quarters only served to highlight the magnitude of the problem and the power dynamics at play.
Egger gave her final thoughts on the matter: “There’s so much wrong with this industry and I am going to do whatever it takes in order to change it. It might take centuries, but you have to start somewhere.”
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