America’s Subsequent Prime Mannequin alum Angelea Preston opened up about how being stripped of her title on account of previous work as an escort has led to her talking out in regards to the bigger concern of exploitation within the modeling trade.
“I need folks to listen to my perspective on what occurred to me as a result of I haven’t talked about it on this context,” Preston, 39, solely informed Us Weekly about her participation in E!’s Soiled Rotten Scandals. “In my private life, folks have requested me about it up to now. However to speak about it on this platform … I believe it’s vital to open up conversations and open up dialogue about issues that will not be really easy to speak about.”
Preston famous how trafficking particularly takes place within the trade — particularly to these simply beginning out.
“I wish to shine a light-weight on the unsavory issues that happen after modeling. It’s a slippery slope the place these ugly issues can occur,” she famous. “They don’t occur on a regular basis. However for youthful folks — women and men — this could occur to you.”
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After being a semifinalist on cycle 12 and putting third on cycle 14, Preston returned and received cycle 17 earlier than being disqualified and stripped of her title after it was made identified that she had as soon as labored as an escort. Preston, for her half, has since spoken out about being taken benefit of by an unnamed man, which led to her being assaulted on quite a few events earlier than she was in a position to escape the scenario.
“They have been holding my previous in opposition to me (on the present). There are folks which have been in comparable conditions which are followers of the present. What’s that saying to them?” Preston informed Us. “To be trafficked and to undergo these terrible issues, that’s not OK. It made me really feel like I had dedicated first-degree homicide — simply the best way I used to be handled after the present and being lied to and being informed they have been going to assist.”
Preston’s win was in the end walked again when America’s Subsequent Prime Mannequin re-filmed the finale.
“I used to be ashamed to even speak about the true motive why that they had taken my title and my winnings away from me. I used to be ashamed as a result of that’s simply not one thing that you simply’re proud to say. For some time I did blame myself,” she recalled. “I simply bought myself into the scenario and I didn’t know the right way to get out. Even desirous about it proper now, I wish to tear up as a result of I used to be simply at such a low level in my life the place I felt that it was all-time low for me.”
Producers — together with Tyra Banks — have declined to deal with Preston’s claims through the years. Michelle Mockwho was the present’s long-time supervising expertise producer, beforehand addressed Preston’s feedback about her disqualification.
“There’s actually nothing I can add to Angelea’s story as this occurred 10 years in the past and it has already been reported on extensively,” she informed Bustle in 2024. “On a private notice, I believed Angelea was a beautiful addition to ANTM. She was gifted and charismatic. … I want her nothing however the most effective in her future.”
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Just like her fellow America’s Subsequent Prime Mannequin contestantsPreston has struggled with the aftermath of collaborating within the present.
“There’s this public notion about how this present does a lot for the women and the way the people who find themselves concerned within the present care in regards to the ladies. That didn’t occur. There’s no communication after (you end your season),” she informed Us. “You might be set alongside to only do your personal factor. All people who participated within the present has these nice and superb careers from the judges to the expertise however not the contestants. We should always have additionally been gifted and had that as nicely. However loads of us have been simply left to determine it out on our personal.”
Preston in the end discovered success since her time on America’s Subsequent Prime Mannequin after graduating prime of her class from Buffalo State College. She began working in journalism, grew to become an on-air host for NPR affiliate WBFO, received awards for her protection and has plans to deal with her time on ANTM in additional element.
“My guide will likely be out this summer time. I’ve been pleased for some time now about the place my life is now as a result of had issues occurred the best way that I believed they have been purported to be, I wouldn’t be in my profession now,” she mentioned. “I’m telling tales from folks in my neighborhood that you could be not see on TV, which for me is giving marginalized communities the highlight they deserve. That’s been very significant work and it doesn’t pay a lot in any respect however I adore it.”
Soiled Rotten Scandals: America’s Subsequent Prime Mannequin airs March 11 at 9 p.m. ET, with Soiled Rotten Scandals: The Worth is Proper premiering on March 18.