Kendall Jenner at the “Valerian: City of a Thousand Planets” premiere in July 2017 (Image: INQUIRER.net Stock Photo)
Over the weekend, Kendall Jenner was under heat from fellow models after a magazine interview wherein she talked about her work in modeling.
The 22-year-old was quoted: “Since the beginning, we’ve been super selective about what shows I would do. I was never one of those girls who would do like 30 shows a season or whatever the f*ck those girls do. More power to ‘em.
“But I had a million jobs, not only catwalks but everything else. The whole combination was very overwhelming and I started to freak out a little bit and needed to take a step back.”
Models around the world took umbrage at her statement, with some noting that it was her privilege, rather than talent or hard work, that has made her 2017’s highest-paid model as per Forbes, bumping off supermodel Gisele Bundchen’s 15-year reign on top.
Models took to social media to air their sentiments on Jenner’s statement.
Brazilian model Luma Grothe recounted on Instagram Stories that it took her five years before she got her break. “I was pretty much starving for the first 3 years,” she recalled.
Image: Instagram/@thelumagrothe
Russian model Daria Strokous said, “‘Whatever the f*ck those girls do’ is do their very best to make their way up and try to make some money so that they can provide for themselves and their families.”
“Oh, and it’s 70 shows a season by the way. And we all are f*cking proud of every single one of the girls that did it,” she added.
Trans model Teddy Quinlivan said, “Making disparaging comments about your peers doesn’t lead to growth or unity which our regulation-less industry desperately needs.”
Image: Instagram/@teddy_quinlivan
Russian supermodel Vlada Roslyakova chimed in, saying that others don’t “have a luxury (sic) to say no to jobs and be ‘super selective about what shows they do’ in order to be able to build their careers during non-Instagram days.”
“Respect and thumbs up for all the ladies who went and still are going through those days of hard work, surviving on two hours of sleep, coffee and backstage food.”
Fittings, where models sometimes have to wait their turn for hours, are done in 20 minutes for Jenner, according to one model with Twitter handle @luvjesuscrisp.
https://twitter.com/luvjesuscrisp/status/1030586633781829634
Jenner responded to the backlash yesterday, Aug. 21, claiming that she was “misrepresented” in the interview, even if she had been quoted directly.
I was misrepresented in a recent interview over the wknd & it’s important to clarify the meaning. It was intended to be entirely complimentary but unfortunately, my words were twisted & taken out of context.I want to be clear. The respect that I have for my peers is immeasurable!
— Kendall (@KendallJenner) August 21, 2018
I get to experience first hand their tireless commitment, their work ethic, the endless days, the lack of sleep, separation from family and friends, stress of traveling, the toll on physical and mental health, yet they still make it all look effortless and beautiful.
— Kendall (@KendallJenner) August 21, 2018
I’m inspired by so many of these people i have had the good fortune to work alongside! There’s no way i could EVER hate on that ❤️ i want everyone to win. SLAY ALWAYS.
— Kendall (@KendallJenner) August 21, 2018
“It was intended to be entirely complimentary but unfortunately, my words were twisted and taken out of context. I want to be clear. The respect that I have for my peers is immeasurable!” she said
“I get to experience first hand (sic) their tireless commitment, their work ethic, the endless days, the lack of sleep, separation from family and friends, stress of traveling, the toll on physical and mental health, yet they still make it all look effortless and beautiful,” she added. /ra
RELATED STORIES:
Kendall Jenner on controversial soda ad: ‘I felt so stupid’
Kendall Jenner caught kissing Gigi Hadid’s younger brother—report