Seasoned model and fashion expert, Babalola Otitoju, fondly called Joseph Water, has called for a repositioning of the modelling industry to weed out unprofessional conducts. This is even as he says a proper sanitization of the industry will rid it of quacks and shady practices.
“I don’t understand why I still always have to cover myself when I am trying to change backstage at shows. We have no privacy at all. Everyone can walk in and out of the changing area, and if I ask a photographer or filmmaker to leave because my colleagues and I are changing, they get really angry at me because they feel like I’m attacking them for something, saying ‘I am not even filming you, I am here for the house.
“As a teen model in the industry, which I have been myself, you are easily manipulated into signing unfair contracts, cheated with payments and disrespectfully treated at work. Being so young, you just simply don’t have the courage to speak up and ask questions, have an opinion. You almost feel as if you owe your agents and clients something for working with you. I honestly think an internationally working model should be 18 years and above.