Victoria’s Secret model Sara Sampaio: I felt violated over revealing photos
The catwalk star spoke out after pictures of her were used on the front cover of a men’s magazine.
Victoria’s Secret model Sara Sampaio has said she felt “violated” after a French magazine published topless photos of her.
The catwalk star said she had signed a no-nudity agreement before the revealing picture was used on the cover of the publication Lui last year.
She told digital magazine PorterEdit: “I’m fine with nudity. I have done nudity in the past, but I don’t do nudity for men’s magazines.
She added: “I felt violated. Now every time I’m on a set, do I have to delete the photos to make sure nobody uses them?”
The model had already spoken out about the experience on Instagram, saying: “I want every model and every woman to know they have a right to make their own choices about their body and image.”
She said: “Models are expected to show up on set, just be pretty, do our job and not say a word.
“When we do open our mouths, we’re branded as difficult, opinionated, troublemakers; we are told that we don’t know what we are talking about. We are still exploited.”
Sampaio also defended Victoria’s Secret’s annual fashion show against allegations it is gratuitous.
She said: “I think it’s kind of hypocritical that now people want everyone to be equal, they want everyone to be a feminist.
“Victoria’s Secret is not geared towards men – we are selling lingerie to women. We are selling a dream. Everyone wants to feel sexy.”
A spokesman for Lui has been contacted for comment.
