Tanya Aron, former Miss Tourism World (2019), described the local modeling industry as a profession reduced to a mere platform for sexual exploitation.
Sexual perverts have invaded the profession, Aaron, a victim of sexual demands who could not give in to predators, told NewsDay Life & Style from New York.
Some pageant organizers and other influential figures in the modeling industry have been accused of seeking sexual favors from models in exchange for winning beauty pageants, leaving many Zimbabweans with negative attitudes towards modeling.
“It’s frustrating that the modeling industry has a lot of perverts. I wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t strong and bold enough to stand up for myself in the situations I had to face. I wouldn’t get respect if I gave in to sexual demands,” she said.
Aaron, who is also a former Miss Zimbabwe International (2018) and Miss Zimbabwe World (2021), said the modeling industry must work to secure safe spaces for the child girl who are immune to manipulation.
“It is high time that the industry creates an association that will protect this profession and not allow anyone to manipulate young girls who want to grow in this industry. A lot can be done, starting with government offices and ministry offices that are usually associated with modeling.
Despite the challenges this profession faces, Arun is optimistic that there will be greater opportunities during her career, adding that she has found freedom in modeling.
She recalls that the best part of her career was when she set out to empower young girls and boys and provide them with the experiences they should look for when they go to represent the country elsewhere.
“Some win, some lose, but the most important thing is the experience and empowerment models gain from such experiences. I empower models using my own resources because Zimbabwe still doesn’t understand what modeling is,” the model said.
“Apart from modeling, there is nothing that really interests me. The good thing is that modeling is neutral and ultimately, issues like empowerment of girls and boys can be discussed and represented. Modeling allows one to address many issues and keep up with what is happening globally.”
Arun also pointed out that good public speaking skills, having a clear knowledge of what one wants, the ability to say no and not being forced to do things one does not like are extremely important in the modeling industry.
“In most cases, what I consider a loss from my experience is not being able to speak well. Everything was fine, but what makes one model different from another is having a voice that grabs attention and talks about life to people. This will enable people to connect with you and see themselves in you. She said: Remember that she is a “role model.”
Although Arun is impressed by the strengths of the various characters including the competition organizer However, she is looking forward to being herself in the industry.
She said that while some pageants such as Miss World and Miss Universe brought benefits to the models and the countries they represented, other pageants were a sham.
“I’ll be very honest, a lot of the pageants that are created literally take advantage of girls who don’t want anything but to be seen. It brings shame to this industry,” she told Newsday.