Entertainment
Dr Hilary’s step-daughter Zoe Markos-Thresher responds to outpouring of support after being body-shamed
Dr Hilary’s step-daughter Zoe Markos-Thresher has spoken out after getting body-shamed on a photoshoot (Picture: Rex Features / Instagram / Zoe Markos-Thresher)
Dr Hilary’s Jones’ step-daughter Zoe Markos-Thresher has thanked people for their support after she was body-shamed on a photoshoot, insisting people are outraged by the ‘inhumane treatment of models’.
The 25-year-old relation of the television doctor recently said on her Instagram Stories she felt disrespected when a photographer on a shoot said the team needed a ‘taller’ and ‘skinnier’ model.
Artist Zoe took to social media to recount her experience in a bid to raise awareness about body-shaming, with her fitness instructor mother Dee Thresher re-posting her words last Friday.
Zoe previously wrote: ‘So today something happened to me for the first time since I’ve been modelling which I felt compelled to share.
‘I had been booked on a yoga shoot for the afternoon and two shots into it I noticed the client whispering about me to the stylist.
‘The photographer & stylist were asked to go for a chat and when they came back they informed me that the client wanted a “taller and skinnier” model with “less leg muscle” despite having all of my measurements/portfolio images supplied to them by my agency prior to the shoot.
‘The client had already left the room by this point and didn’t have the courage to even tell me this by herself or say goodbye when I left which felt even more disrespectful than the whole ordeal.’
Zoe added that the experience would have ‘crushed’ her in previous years and ‘knocked my confidence for a long time’ but insists she laughed the situation off.
Sharing her daughter’s post last week, Dee wrote: ‘So this happened to my daughter today and she has put this on her story. I’m so proud with how she has dealt with this situation but equally disgusted at this client. Thoughts?’
Showing their support, Dee’s followers responded with kind comments, with one person writing: ‘Very well said and appreciated, as mothers of girls we need more people like Zoe xxx.’
One person wrote: ‘Your daughter is a beautiful, strong role model. The “client” has definitely missed out, their loss,’ added another.
Thanking people for their support following her revelation, Zoe wrote on Instagram: ‘I sat on this for about 24 hours because speaking up again felt a bit too scary. However, after the responses I received to my story the other day I felt extremely responsible to keep the momentum of this conversation going, even if it helps just one other person.
‘I certainly didn’t expect this to get picked up by press but I’m so glad that this message has gained some traction. So many people were equally as outraged by the inhumane treatment of models, appalled by brands who insist on upholding this “skinny sells” mindset or who had experienced similar treatment themselves.
‘Let’s keep pushing this conversation forward so that we can protect young women and men from long lasting potential damage, not just in fashion but in everyday life.
‘Stay strong & healthy guys. Keep moving & loving that beautifully strong, unique body of yours!!’
Referring to the client who had booked her, Zoe added in her original post: ‘Absolutely fair enough if you want a tall, skinny girl to model your brand but this beauty ideal that we’ve been drip fed for so many years is beyond outdated and does not relate to the majority by any means.
‘To anyone who has ever struggled with body image/self confidence/comparison; what your body can DO is so, SO much more important than what your body looks like.
‘Your health and well-being overrides all. We cannot chase society’s ridiculous beauty standards and trends forever because we will NEVER be able to keep up and NEVER feel that we are good enough.
‘Don’t let any brand or beauty company dictate to you how you should look or feel because you are absolutely enough, as you are.’
More: Good Morning Britain
Zoe added that she was proud of her body and had learned to put her self worth into things she loved, rather than berating herself for things she felt she was not, admitting she isn’t perfect.
She concluded: ‘These guys need to catch up because the world is moving in a whole new direction and they’re going to get left well behind.’
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