The latest development in the alleged sexual abuse cases against famed photographers Bruce Weber and Mario Testino has seen three male models interviewed on chat show "The View," during which details of their encounters were discussed.
Josh Ardolf, Bobby Roache, and Jason Fedele appeared on the show to discuss the state of the current fashion photography industry, as well as talk in greater depth about the abuse they had experienced at the hands of the renowned photographers, who were outed less than a couple weeks ago.
Ardolf and Roache detail how, when much younger and at a shoot with Weber, were led into conducting “breathing exercises” which soon descended into being touched inappropriately. See their account of the incidents in the video above.
One of the hosts read Weber’s statement regarding the allegations, which left Ardolf visibly angered. Weber’s statement to the New York Times reads:
I’m completely shocked and saddened by the outrageous claims being made against me, which I absolutely deny […]
I have used common breathing exercises and professionally photographed thousands of nude models over my career, but never touched anyone inappropriately. Given my life’s work, these twisted and untrue allegations are truly disheartening. I’ve been taking pictures for over 40 years and have the utmost respect for everyone I’ve ever photographed. I would never, ever, try to hurt anyone or prevent someone from succeeding — it’s just not in my character.
The news comes on the back of both photographers being blacklisted by some of the industry’s top publications and printing houses. Testino’s Instagram page has remained quiet since January 12, while Weber continues to post.
[via PetaPixel]
Wow
My...my, my.
I think the majority of photographers and models who shoot nude have stories like this. I'm not trying to justify it but the allegations against Bruce seem pretty standard to tons of stories I've heard; a photographer is shooting someone nude, either the photographer or model makes an advance, and something either happens or it's rejected.
If this guy looked like Brad Pitt , i bet we would not be reading this story, ever.
So i guess Lee has a good point , someone will always ask the question , and someone will always respond with yes or no.
I think these stories just water down real assaults that happen. These guys should man up, no offense.
Fact is , there was at least thousands of real victims, from the fashion industry alone , that should have been in that show.
Instead, we have a couple of guys who are just devastated about some old guy making a move on them?
What about rape victims?
What about models being forced into prostitution?
What about all those models on drugs, with eating disorders?
I guess they are not worthy of a show and Whoopy tapping them on the back.
Yes, the world is not fair, and never will be.
Bruce has always been left of center, everybody knows that who works with him; the first time anyone does as a key person with him agents will mention it. That's not hearsay and conjecture, it's from the horse's mouth.
Testino I can't speak for, but Bruce is just a super hippie.
I've heard these stories when I used to live in LA and worked the fashion industry from models, actors, actresses trying to break in to the business. Those with power or in position of power above you will always put the "what will you do for me" or "come to my office or home after hours so we can discuss this in private" I know this happens because as a young photographer when I moved to LA from Denver in 1980, I got a place on Hollywood and Vine and went door knocking to show my portfolio to a lot of the producers, PR and A&R folks from the likes or Motown, Total Experience Records, etc all tried to get me to come to their place after hours or to their home to either "discuss a shoot" or review the shooting". It did not matter to them if you were gay or not, you were nothing more than fresh meat. If you did not play the game your phone ranged maybe 1-2 times a week vs 6-7 times a week. I decided the business wasn't worth me giving up my ass and therefore it took longer to get my business off the ground. I eventually met a wonderful PR person that kept me busy and appreciated the work and turned me on to others that eventually led to my career as a Hollywood Celebrity photographer to flourish until I retire. What upset me the most is the fact that if you said No and they accepted that they would tell you not to expect work from them or they were going to smear your name. It was so bad that models would come to my office for interviews and automatically strip down and lie on the couch in my office expecting me to engage in sex. When I told them to stop or get out they would ask "why I was different, every other photographer does it". I had to explain that this type of behaviour is not proper and that it may take longer to get to where you want to be, you just have to stick to your values.
The sad truth is it's not just Terry, Bruce and Mario, there are hundreds others out there that either are still at it or have retired. If their name came out it would be a disaster for them. We used to say "Name and Shame" and everybody was afraid to do so for fear of blacklisting and lawsuits, now the world is listening.