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Australian Model Opens Up On ‘Sinister’ Things She Saw While Working With Victoria’s Secret

Australian Model Opens Up On ‘Sinister’ Things She Saw While Working With Victoria’s Secret

Bridget Malcolm said there was a 'sick' and 'unhealthy' reality behind all those enviable bodies.

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie

Bridget Malcolm has opened up on the 'sinister' things she saw while she worked as a model with Victoria's Secret.

The young Australian woman walked the iconic underwear and lingerie brand's runway between 2015 to 2016.

While the company is know for its models with enviable bodies and picture perfect faces, Bridget said being on the inside showed how 'sick' and 'unhealthy' that reality is.

"I had an eating disorder, I was relying on anti-anxiety medication, I was having panic attacks constantly, I was exhausted," she told 60 Minutes Australia.

"My body was malnourished, my mind was malnourished, it was relentless. What that company represented for me and for so many other women was extremely exploitative at that time. To me it felt like controlling women."

PA

Ms Malcolm said Victoria's Secret made it no secret that they wanted their models to remain stick thin; so much so that the culture on the inside felt 'exploitative'.

She explained: "The longest I managed to go without eating was three days. And I had to quit because I kept passing out. And I was annoyed with myself because I was determined to make it to five days. I couldn't function, I couldn't move."

The now-mental health advocate said looks are deceiving because while photos of her at the time appear to show her happy and smiling, she admits she was 'dead' behind the eyes.

Bridget said she reached her breaking point in 2017 when she was 25 years old.

PA

She revealed how she was so weak from trying to maintain her body type that she started losing her hair and it would take her ages to climb a set of stairs.

"I just reached the top and I just had that awful hollow feeling of like, this is how the rest of my life is going to look like, unless I do something about it now," she said.

She claims she was eventually dropped by Victoria's Secret because she put a bit of weight on her hips.

The company has released a statement to Daily Mail Australia explaining how they have shed those body type expectations of the past and are embarking on a new vision.

"There is a new leadership team at Victoria's Secret who is fully committed to the continued transformation of the brand with a focus on creating an inclusive environment for our associates, customers and partners to celebrate, uplift and champion all women," the statement said.

Featured Image Credit: Channel 9

Topics: News, Australia