Alan Ritchson, who plays the lead role in the Prime Video series Reacher, opened up about his past experience as a model in the 1990s.
He said he quit modeling after being sexually assaulted by a famous photographer who demanded nude photos in exchange for work opportunities. When Ritchson refused, he left and cut ties with his modeling agency.
Ritchson described the modeling industry as “legalized sex trafficking” where abuse was widespread but kept secret.
He specifically accused photographer Mario Testino of inappropriately touching him at a dinner in 2014 and later trying to get him to come to his hotel room, using a Vogue cover as bait which Ritchson refused.
Testino was previously accused of sexual harassment and assault by other models in a 2018 New York Times exposé.
Ritchson’s experiences left “scars” and he was glad to transition to an acting career. He now warns about the reality of the modeling industry for young aspirants.
Source: people
