‘Afros were a no-no’: Black models say they were turned away from Miami Swim Week casting call

Two black models claims they and 10 to 15 other women of color were turned away from a casting call because of the color of their skin. 

Models Joia Talbott and Kacey Leggett took to Instagram to share their experience Friday while waiting in line for a Miami Swim Week casting call for KYA Swimwear.

They said black models were told the casting was closed ‘just so we’d move faster. So we finally get out of line and they open the casting back up.’

Talbott said: ‘They told us they didn’t want any black models and Afros were a no-no.’ 

Black models Joia Talbott and Kacey Leggett shared a video on social media saying they were discriminated against at a casting call for Miami Swim Week

Black models Joia Talbott and Kacey Leggett shared a video on social media saying they were discriminated against at a casting call for Miami Swim Week

After 10 to 15 black women were out of line, they said the women running the casting opened it back up for the fairer-skin women

After 10 to 15 black women were out of line, they said the women running the casting opened it back up for the fairer-skin women

‘I’m lost for words. I’m still trying to process what happened,’ Leggett said in the video. 

‘They were definitely not feeling my Afro at all, so I didn’t stand a chance, right?’ Talbott said.  

‘Wow. We’re ready to go back to L.A. where we’re appreciated, and we book,’ she added. 

Another model who was in line, Kate Citrone, told Fashion Week Online she was also turned away. 

‘We were all turned away from this casting,’ Citrone said. ‘I noticed the designer still accepting models of a fairer skin type at the door, bringing them upstairs.’

However, she added it was a ‘mystery’ if they were turned away ‘for our skin tone or because we genuinely didn’t fit the look’ the designer was looking for.’  

The swimsuit line, KYA Swim, said it was ‘deeply disturbed’ by the allegations in a statement. 

‘Everyone at KYA Swim is deeply disturbed by the allegations brought by Joia Talbott and other models about the casting event at Miami Swim Week,’ the company said.

‘KYA Swim is proud of its record of diversity and we are the midst of looking into the events of last Thursday to review the actions of the production company in charge of the casting call.’ 

The black women who were allegedly discriminated against at the casting call stood together in solidarity for a photo

The black women who were allegedly discriminated against at the casting call stood together in solidarity for a photo

Talbott said: 'They told us they didn't want any black models and Afros were a no-no.'

Talbott said: 'They told us they didn't want any black models and Afros were a no-no.'

Talbott (left)  said: ‘They told us they didn’t want any black models and Afros were a no-no.’

Talbott tells Cosmopolitan: ‘We get chosen over every day, that just comes with the territory—either they like you or they don’t.

‘That’s not what it is. I have very thick skin.’

She added that this casting ‘went above and beyond to be disrespectful and degrading towards women of color.’

She also said that when the casting agent looked at her she said: ‘You, your hair, no.’

The black women who were allegedly discriminated against posed together in solidarity for a photo in their swimsuits.

Talbott posted the photo on Instagram of the 11 women of different shades with the caption: ‘When a casting director tells you they don’t want any Afros or women of color…you STILL show them just how powerful you are. YOU. CANT. BREAK. US!!’

Leggett also posted the group shots with the caption: Yo! Somebody tell Miami there’s No such thing as ”too Many Brown Girls”’  

The women were met with praise online, with comments encouraging them to embrace their complexion and natural hair.  



Read more at DailyMail.co.uk