Local Model Ali Michael Stirs Up Controversy
Colleyville teen, catwalking queen, and Kim Dawson model Ali Michael is the center of controversy at the New York Times in this article, published on Sunday by Public Editor Hoyt Clark. Michael, winner of the 2005 Fashion!Dallas/Kim Dawson Model Search, and her mother are getting some negative feedback for her “semi-nude” editorial in T, The New York Times Style Magazine.
I have worked with Ali in the past, and she was very sweet and modest. That was about a year ago and before she got so big that she could no longer do editorials for D (as I was told by her New York agency, DNA, when I tried to book her). If we lived in Europe, these images would not be such a big deal. However, given that Ali is 17, does this push the limit?
26 Comments to “Local Model Ali Michael Stirs Up Controversy”
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Reminds me of the flap over Brooke Shields in “Pretty Baby” way back in the 20th century. The photos are hardly explicit or even suggestive. On the other hand, there is no rationale for the use of partial nudity in the photo spread. Of course, had they not used it we wouldn’t be having this discussion. I found it to be a typical fashion shoot where they make the clothes and model look as unappealing as possible. But, what do I know? I’m a straight guy with all sons.
not. that. hot.
not. that. old.
I was more offended by the Galliano coat being worn as a skirt…as in treating his elegant garment that way. Clever stylists…you never cease to amaze me with your push pins, safety pins and clothes pins…and ability to drape cloth.
What would be the ramifications if this image was found to exist not in T, but on the hardrive of a paroled sex offender. Would there be consequences? If yes, then there’s probably an issue with the spread, given her age, and we are accepting a double standard.
Not a thing wrong with that girl that 20 pounds wouldn’t cure, regardless of age.
What’s the point of having a 17 year old girl do this? First, the nudity seems completely unnecessary for the “advertisement” or “editorial” or whatever it was called. Second, if they wanted partial nudity, why not use an older model? Would it be ok if she was working in a strip club? Why not — because the photography studio is not as seedy? Was a parent present during the shoot? How many people saw her parading around like that? If she was in Playboy, all hell would be breaking loose but since it is the NYT, no big deal? I don’t consider myself a prude, but is the continual “porning” of society a good thing?
what nudity are you people talking about? her bare back? the back of her overly thin legs?
get a grip, man, there’s nothing in that photo that can be viewed as obscene or perverse
first, she’s 17, not 12
second, apparently her mother approves of her career choice, which correct me if i’m wrong here, is going to involve the daughter being photographed nude/semi or otherwise as lot
so why should we care
“first, she’s 17, not 12″
but she looks 12! her bust is 33A, she looks anorexic and as someone else pointed out she needs a bit of meat on her bones. she flat looks like a prepubescent teen.
what or who is the point of the photo? the model? or the coat?
Whether she is 17 or 34 is irrelevant: she looks 12 and that makes it inappropriate in any setting.
And what is this advert or editorial trying to sell or say? If they are trying to sell the clothes - well, you can’t really see the clothes since they are all bunched up or whatnot. And if it is an editorial then I’m lost as to what they are saying. Huh, I guess I wasn’t paying close enough attention in my art appreciation or communications classes back in college.
md, just because she ‘looks’ 12 does not make it inappropriate. I just think there are bigger things to worry about in this world than whether or not a bit of **** on a 17 year old can be seen. I understand the point of the concern, but come on people.
You all must have lived very quiet adolescent lives because, when I was Ali’s age, I had been sexually active for 7 years. And when a guy says ‘active’ that is code word for floorboarding the sex drive.) And believe me, decades later they go through puberty far sooner. So this is shocking?
PS: 17 is not a ‘minor’ in New York. (Or I bet in Colleyville, but that’s sheer speculation based on anticipating reading Nancy Nichols’ memoirs.)
Ah, yes, but the fact she IS 17 IS relevant. If she was 30 but looked 12, would it really be? She would be a legal adult after all.
Okay, folks, let’s make it easy. If you don’t like what you see, don’t buy the product. Better yet, write a letter to the company or to the media outlet displaying the advertisement.
Isn’t voting your conscience with your wallet what makes things happen today, sad as that is?
“Isn’t voting your conscience with your wallet what makes things happen today, sad as that is?” The “sad as that is” part really sums up the debate, doesn’t it? Shouldn’t society as a whole not even have to debate this issue? Partial nudity helps sell clothes — huh? The NYT has pictures of a partially naked 17 year old to help demonstrate what “fashion” is? Has society really sunk to the level that no one cares any more? Was NYPD Blue better because it showed Dennis Franz’s arse or some side ****? There’s just no reason for it, so why do it? Why is it ok?
The concern should not be that her back is nude but rather, that she is clearly very underweight and we all know why and how. THAT should be the ‘outrage’. Beyond that, ask yourself if ‘David’ in Florence was a day older (if that) than the model in question.
“ask yourself if ‘David’ in Florence was a day older (if that) than the model in question.”
different day and time. life expectancy in those days was in the 40s maybe for the overall population. Remember that most girls were married before the age of 18. so the analogy with the model for the David is not a good.
in today’s society we overwhelmed with children are more sexually active than say 20 years ago. we are also overwhelmed by sexual predators who are using the internet to seek out underage girls and boys for sexual purposes
Rawlins, you devil. Seventeen is the new 30.
I was very disappointed by these pictures, too. What really bummed me out was the only real “semi-naked” picture was side **** shot, and it was too blurry to see anything. I imported it into the iPhoto application on my Mac and tried adjusting both the contrast and the sharpness and got nowhere. Any help out there in the FrontBurner nation?
Oh get over it. There’s more flesh on show at just about every Dallas bar any night of the week.
Anyone else disturbed that the phrase “pubed” was in the URL for the photo spread?
No, because your the only geek who reads the URL.
I was involved in the agent side of the modeling world during the heroin chic days of the ’90’s, and it made me sick. The fashion world is a world unto itself - don’t try to make sense of it. Ali’s repped by Dawson here, which is a good thing. They’re completely above board and take care of their models. Try to think of it this way - this youngster makes thousands upon thousands of dollars and will hopefully use it to go to college and make a contribution to the world. I know it’s weird, but it is what it is.
All of you really really really need to get a life and stop ranting about a 17 year olds bare back. I personally know Ali and she is a great person, and i highly doubt she was trying to encourage young girls to pose for playboy as one individual claimed on the news.
It it were truly just her bare back I don’t think there would be very much “ranting”.
That said, I also don’t think the pictures are all that salacious, and don’t warrant this type of attention.
I personally know Ali as well, and her mom was present at the shoot. Her entire family is very respectable, but also very respectFUL of their daughter’s career and what is artistic in nature. I don’t believe they would ever subject her to anything vulgar or over-and-above the line of decency. Also, this picture was taken in Europe, by a European photographer, and it’s important to keep in mind that their standard of decency is far different from ours. I personally feel like the side **** shot could have been left out, but I’m not the one with the modeling career; its nobody’s choice but hers.
we support ali!