Tyra Banks opened up about sexual misconduct in the fashion world
Stories of sexual misconduct are trending now as women reclaim their voices and turn abusive, male-oriented power structures on their heads. Tyra Banks just shared her thoughts on sexual misconduct in the fashion industry, and expressed her belief that stories of abusive behavior will start to spread in the near future. And once it starts, people will have a lot to say.
With the powerful #MeToo movement, many men in power have been outed for inappropriate behavior in the workspace. Women have bravely stepped forward with allegations and stories of traumatic experiences in the television, film, and music industries, as well as in politics and beyond. Banks believes that it’s only a matter of time before #MeToo hits the fashion industry.
“I think when that spigot opens, it’s probably going to overflow because the fashion industry is, I think, laden with it,” Banks told BuzzFeed News. “I’ve been very fortunate to not have to encounter anything like that, but the stories I’ve heard left and right — I mean, I’ve heard a lot. So I think once that opens, it’s going to really flow.”
A veteran of the fashion game, Banks began her career at age 15 and has been trailblazing ever since. With 20 plus years of experience as a model, actress, and TV/talk show host, Banks says she’s never experienced sexual misconduct firsthand in the industry. Still, she says that sadly, it’s common in the fashion world.
Banks continued:
"I’ve been in the presence of people that have done that. I just haven’t experienced it personally, but I’ve heard millions of stories, not millions, but a lot of stories," she said. "For instance, when I would go on a go-see and was at a photographer's apartment in Paris, I’d go, show them my portfolio. I leave, no problem. And then within that same hour, a girl reports, ‘Oh my god, he tried to do this or tried to to [sic] that. And I’m like, 'Oh my god, I was just there.'"
We can only hope that these stories, should anyone choose to share theirs, illuminate the truths that have been hidden for so long.
