In a The Doctors’ exclusive, model Amber Rose says she is “extremely outraged” after learning a company reportedly used her name and image to try to lure aspiring models into prostitution.
TMZ reported that the Los Angeles Police Department is investigating to determine whether a crime was committed after a woman said a company was trying to entice her into prostitution after she responded to an Instagram post soliciting models “for a paid celebrity photoshoot and clothing line.”
Those who responded to the post reportedly were told Amber Rose was helping select the models and were set up on a fake FaceTime call with her. When Amber appeared to struggle with the technology, the women were told the connection was lost. Then, the company tried to set the models up on dates with “rich” men and sent text messages telling the women if they agreed to be intimate, it would help them land better opportunities.
“I was in shock, because I’m all for women empowerment, and to see something like that, it made me really sad,” Amber says, “I always wanted to be a model when I was young, and I was young and easily manipulated just like these girls. Thank God that I didn’t fall into anything like that.”
Amber explains that the video the company used to suggest she was involved was taken from the first time she used the Ustream video platform four years ago.
Amber says she first learned of the scam when someone tagged her in a screenshot of the video on Instagram and said, “I just FaceTimed with Amber and she was trying to get me to have sex with guys, via text message.” Amber said she left a comment saying, “Honey, that’s not me. I don’t know who you are talking to.”
“If you are getting hit up by an account that is not verified, or you are not actually meeting with that person, you have to know that this is a scam,” Amber warns.
Amber says police have not yet contacted her.
Technology lawyer Christina Gagnier says people should protect themselves from online identify theft by making sure they understand the privacy settings on each social platform. She advises changing your Facebook profile to private and limiting those who can see your Twitter and Instagram posts.
“If you are an aspiring model or actress, you never have to give money to an agency," Amber says. "You never have to do anything demeaning to get signed to an agency.”
She later added, “You never ever have to send nude pictures or money or anything like that, or, God forbid, have sex with anyone for any type of gig.”
- Amber is organizing a Slut-Walk in Los Angeles on Oct. 3 to help empower young women to fight back against negative stereotypes and sexual bullying. Learn how you can get involved.
- Take The Doctor's pledge to stop slut-shaming. Your words carry weight and sexual bullying of any kind has to stop.
