Exclusive: Celebs react to Emmy Rossum's shocking bikini audition revelation
When Hollywood actress Emmy Rossum recently revealed at The Hollywood Reporter’s Annual Comedy Actress Roundtable that she was asked to wear only a bikini and meet a director to get a role in a big movie, everyone was shocked. While Emmy initially thought that it was for the character in the movie, to her surprise, that wasn’t the case. Apparently, the director just wanted to know how “tight” she was and if she had gotten fat.
In the end, Emmy refused to cater to the director’s perversions and slammed him. But she pointed out that a young girl who wasn’t as successful as her could have fallen for the ridiculous demand and urged them to not do anything that they weren’t comfortable with. Models and actresses back home resonate with her message.
Hyderabad-based model Sharon Rose, who was the Max Fashion Icon India 2016 and a finalist at another beauty pageant, says, “That’s how the industry is. I’ve been asked for photos in a bikini for a shoot that was for traditional and bridal wear. They just want to have fun looking at the photos. It’s usually not the clients, but the mediators who do this.” Sharon now makes sure that she checks the client’s background and talks to them directly.
Fashion guru and choreographer for various fashion shows, Prasad Bidapa, says that it all depends on each shoot or movie.
“If it’s a movie like Baywatch, asking for an audition in a bikini is justifiable,” he says, adding that wearing a bikini is not vulgar. “If you choose to be a model and participate in beauty pageants, you are supposed to maintain a body positive image. You cannot be half an inch extra fat or too thin, because that’s how the industry works.” Talking about Emmy’s situation, Prasad says that the director could have just wanted to see how she looks and may not have intended to exploit her.
Actress Nitya Naresh says that it’s all about being comfortable with what you do. “Nobody can force you if you stand your ground and be stern in this industry. When I signed my first movie, I was asked if I can wear shorts and I agreed. But when I was asked if I can wear a bikini, I said no. If there’s a shower scene, I would ask the director what exactly he is looking for. It’s about making it clear to them,” says Nitya.
However, fashion choreographer and model coordinator, Joseph Sunder says that acting and the fashion industry can be quite different. “In fashion, there’s no obscenity; it’s art. If someone is paying you a lot to wear their collection, they would expect you to be fit enough. Even in Emmy’s case, nobody knows the complete truth,” he says.
Actress Anisha Ambrose adds, “Among so many who are absolutely professional, there are a few who do not respect a profession for what it is. Such people are not worth your time.”
