| July 10, 2018 |
Model Mayhem Joins the Adult Industry Discrimination Pool |
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Model Mayhem touts itself as “the #1 casting website for professional models, photographers, makeup artists, stylists, designers and digital artists.” Like every other similar sort of professional networking site, there are different levels for different sorts of artists to create a profile, upload photos, connect with other industry pros and find work. Except, of course, if some of your work is linked to the adult industry. The site says right at the top of its “Rules” page that there’s no porn allowed: Do not use Model Mayhem to network for or solicit any pornographic, sexual, or imminently dangerous content or activities of any kind. Do not link to pornographic websites. Quick perusal of the site shows conventional, almost expected ambiguity regarding what’s considered “pornographic” and “sexual,” as well as “imminently dangerous.” With many services, subjective and inconsistent rule application and enforcement is par for the course these days though, so this is not surprising or new. What’s new about Model Mayhem’s most recent action, however, is the apparent unsaid rule that a person who works in the adult industry may not also use the site for adult industry unrelated projects. Case in point: On July 9, Casey Calvert posted the following message to Twitter: âRIP to my 9 year old @m_mayhem account… Expect a rant about their absurd discrimination once I gather my thoughts.â Rant posted on my insta story (caseycalvert) if you wanna read it. https://t.co/86saSSjqIn — Casey Calvert (@caseycalvertxxx) July 10, 2018 I went to Calvertâs Insta story to get the scoop, which she shared in a series of posts (transcribed below): Rant incoming. I just love being told that Iâm a whore and canât possibly be anything but a whore Iâve been on Model Mayhem since 2011. The whole point of one of my very first photo shoots was to get pics MM would approve, so I could make a profile. Back when I was a travelling fetish/art model, I booked 50% of my work through MM. I worked with a lot of amazing people because of MM. I met a lot of friends because of MM. When I started doing porn, I altered my profile to reflect my move to LA, my lack of travel, my rates. I started using the site a lot less, because I didnât need it, but I still used it sometimes. Iâd book a paid gig when work was slower, or something trade with a photographer I loved. The first time I got removed was my fault. I contacted a girl about a fetish shoot, for a custom video. She reported me, and thatâs when I learned that, essentially, while fetish is allowed on the site, if you do adult, youâre not allowed to network for it. Then itâs considered âsexual in natureâ. Isnât all fetish sexual in nature? Yes. But apparently a GWC taking feet closeups is not nearly as threatening as a porn star trying to hire a girl for foot fetish. The second time was the most absurd. I got a super creepy message from a guy wanting to shoot a POV scene, so I reported it, like a good little MM citizen. Next thing I know, Iâm shut down. Turns out I had âplease contact my agent,â and an email address in my profile page. Apparently thatâs also adult networking. I removed the line, and was reinstated. This time? Today. Well. Iâm working on a mainstream movie (youâll hear more about this soon), and contacted some girls to see if they would be interested in auditioning for one of the lead roles. We were having a hard time casting her, and the director wants a model type, so I figured this could solve the problem. The movie has some simulated sex scenes in it. Some girls reported my casting. You can see where Iâm going. When I wrote to the mod to get reinstated again, I was told that because I am a model, I am only allowed to use MM to further my modeling career. I explained to her that sometimes models work behind the camera as well; I asked why they donât encourage that on MM. I wasnât told. I explained to her that the movie was not porn, I sent her the IMDB page, but I was told that I was a repeated rule violator, and someone they didnât want to have on the site. She told me, through a carefully crafted email, that Iâm a dirty pornographer, and I donât deserve to use their pristine, precious website. I wonât be getting my account back, nor do I really want it. Their rules are so absurd and antiquated, and Iâm so fucking tired of fighting to be in space that doesnât want me. I shouldnât have to fucking fight at all. Iâm a pornographer, yes. Iâm also an art model. I love art modeling. Guess what, MM? I can fucking be both! If you see me as a victim, then rescue me. Help me get out. If you see me as an empowered woman, then wtf should it matter if I do porn? But itâs neither one of those things, is it? You only see me as a whore. End rant. Calvert’s rant alleges discriminatory behavior that is frustrating on multiple levels — and also, sadly, unsurprising. In an unrelated yet strangely similar incident, a writer from our sister site ynotcam.com recently attempted to sign up for Model Mayhem’s mailing list. Literally, not an account. Just the mailing list for updates and “no reply”-level information from the site. She was told via email: Model Mayhem carries a zero tolerance policy for networking for adult content. I am afraid we may not be the right sight for your networking needs. Your loss, Model Mayhem. Your loss. PS We love you Casey! You’re artist AF. |
