Gaining Insight On The Challenges Confronting Models From A Conversation I Had with My Cousin

_{Rhonda at a photoshoot}

I was browsing through the photos on my phone recently and came across a photo of my cousin Rhonda who is a model. I took some time to look at her photo and while doing that recalled a conversation I had with her several years ago.

I recall paying Rhonda and her family a visit during the weekend and was in the living room with her dad watching an English Premier League football match on TV. Rhonda was in her room having a conversation with someone over the phone. I could hear her venting as she continued with the conversation she was having over the phone. She seemed quite upset. Her raised pitch sometimes distracted me from the football match that I was watching and made me feel uncomfortable. Her conversation with the recipient of the call she was having over the phone was turning into a heated argument. I was worried about why Rhonda seemed upset as she had this conversation over the phone but decided to focus on the football match that I was watching on TV.

The football match became more interesting as it progressed and my concern for Rhonda was kept at bay! Rhonda eventually came out of her room towards the end of the football match and sat on the couch opposite me. I noticed she had a sad countenance and so asked her what was going on. She initially tried to allay my concern by telling me she was trying to resolve a trivial issue but later disclosed what got her vexed when she realised that I was really worried about her. She apologized for making me get worried while venting over the phone. She told me she was having a conversation with her agent, demanding that the contract she signed with a modelling agency she worked for be honoured so that she can get paid for the service she rendered. According to her the agency is being complacent with her and breaching their contractual agreement. The modelling agency was supposed to pay her two weeks after the end of the fashion show she took part in. She participated in the fashion show and is yet to get paid two months after the event! She fulfilled her part of the agreement!

I was unhappy about the issue she disclosed to me and asked her if she has tried to seek the counsel of her lawyer. She laughed when I asked this question an told me she does not have a legal representative on her team yet. She told me she is an upcoming model and does not have the resources to employ the services of a lawyer at the moment. She is still trying to build her profile but acknowledges the benefit of having a lawyer on her team. Rhonda told me about the how lucrative the fashion industry in Nigeria is but due to poor regulation there are unethical practices carried out by some stakeholders. This has made it difficult for other stakeholders like her to tap into the well of benefits the industry has to offer. She is unhappy about this trend but is optimistic that it will get better in due time. "Change is the only constant" she told me.

Rhonda told me she decided to resolve the issue with the modelling agency amicably because she understands that sometimes organisers of fashion shows make huge financial commitments in their projects and end making little or no profits. They are a lot of challenges faced by these organisers and other stakeholders which she stated. Her knowledge of these challenges made her lenient with the modelling agency initially. She told me she tried to be patient with them and saw it as a sacrifice she had to make to get what she wants and to also support the industry as a stakeholder. She became upset when the modelling agency took her patience and peaceful resolve for granted. They became complacent and less worried about breaching her contract. This treatment was unacceptable to Rhonda. She told me has bills to pay! I felt her pain but could only sympathise with her. Our conversation continued for quite sometime and I was happy that Rhonda was willing to share her burden with me. She felt better after our conversation.

I had a notion that models and stakeholders in the fashion industry worked seamlessly and had a relationship of mutual benefit. My conversation with Rhonda made me change my stance. I gained more insight from my conversation with her.

Thanks for reading,
Have a splendid day folks.

_{source: Image belongs to Rhonda}