Ariana Grande speaks out after celebrity photographer accused of 'predatory' behaviour

‘Do not shoot with photographers who make you uncomfortable’

Katie O'Malley
Tuesday 23 July 2019 05:37 EDT
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Ariana Grande attends the Heavenly Bodies: Fashion & The Catholic Imagination Costume Institute Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 7, 2018 in New York City.
Ariana Grande attends the Heavenly Bodies: Fashion & The Catholic Imagination Costume Institute Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 7, 2018 in New York City. (Getty Images)

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Ariana Grande has spoken out after a model accused celebrity photographer Marcus Hyde of bribing her for nude portraits.

On Sunday, model Sunnaya Nash shared several screenshots on Instagram of her alleged direct messages with Hyde. The model claims Hyde asked her for nude photos in exchange for a free photoshoot.

However, when she refused to pose for the images, saying that she was only “comfortable shooting lingerie and partial nudity”, Hyde allegedly responded that she would have to pay him £1,600 ($2,000) for his services.

According to the private messages, Nash declined the offer and Hyde allegedly wrote “find someone else” and “I’ll keep shooting celebs”.

The 33-year-old photographer has shot several high profile celebrities over the years including Grande, Kim Kardashian, Kanye West, Chance the Rapper, and Childish Gambino.

Several celebrities have commented in response to Nash’s claims, including Grande who posted a message on her Instagram Stories on Monday, warning artists to not work with photographers who make them feel uneasy.

“Dear models/artists in LA / anywhere,” the 26-year-old singer captioned her post. “I have just read some shocking and really heart-breaking stories. I hate that this is a conversation."

Ariana Grande speaks out after celebrity photographer is accused of ‘predatory’ behaviour
Ariana Grande speaks out after celebrity photographer is accused of ‘predatory’ behaviour (Instagram)

She continued, writing: “Please do not shoot with photographers who make you uncomfortable or make you feel like you need to take your clothing off if you don’t want to.

“If you want to, sick. But if you don’t, please don’t. If they tell you you have to pay more money if you’re clothed that’s f**ked and I’m sorry that has happened to you. I promise there are so many respectful, nice, talented photographers out there [sic].”

Grande added: “I hate hearing about things like this. I am sorry that this was anybody’s experience and know that it doesn’t have to be.”

The singer urged her fans to “look out for one another”.

Diet Prada, an Instagram account dedicated to bringing light to issues in the fashion and beauty industry, posted about the story with an image of Nash and a screenshot of the alleged messages between the model and Hyde.

Diet Prada posts about Marcus Hyde claims on Instagram
Diet Prada posts about Marcus Hyde claims on Instagram (diet_prada)

Diet Prada posts about Marcus Hyde claims on Instagram

Leomie Anderson, a Victoria’s Secret model, commented on the post: “Disgusting.”

Michelle Visage, a judge on RuPaul’s Drag Race commented: “This is not only gross but it’s bordering on extortion.”

Karen Elson, a model and singer, added: “This is so sad and why models need to have better protections as this happens every day to young women on social media who are trying to make it as a model.”

Following the accusations, Nash claims several of her posts about the exchange with Hyde have been removed by Instagram.

“This is unacceptable,” the model tweeted on Tuesday with a photograph of a warning from Instagram in which the social platform states that her Instagram Stories regarding her claims against Hyde go against its community guidelines on nudity and sexual activity.

“I have not breached any guidelines and my stories sharing the misconduct have all been removed, as was my initial post about Marcus Hyde,” the model tweeted.

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The model has since posted several messages on Twitter from women who also claim to have had similar experiences as a result of working with Hyde.

Hyde’s Instagram account is currently unavailable to view.

The Independent has reached out to Marcus Hyde for comment.

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