
(Photo: Getty Images)
Model and actor Kate Upton slammed Guess for continuing to work with co-founder and creative director, Paul Marciano, on Twitter on January 31, setting off speculation about what was behind the cryptic message. Upton wrote: “It’s disappointing that such an iconic women’s brand is still empowering Paul Marciano as their creative director #metoo.”
It’s disappointing that such an iconic women’s brand @GUESS is still empowering Paul Marciano as their creative director #metoo
— Kate Upton (@KateUpton) January 31, 2018
She then shared a screen shot of the tweet on her Instagram account along with a more detailed caption that reads, “He shouldn’t be allowed to use his power in the industry to sexually and emotionally harass women #metoo.”
While Upton, 25, hasn’t specifically alleged whether she was personally a victim or if she was speaking out on behalf of other women, her messages imply that a more personal story is forthcoming. When a TMZ photographer spoke to Upton at LAX on February 1, she said: “I can’t wait to tell my whole story.” When asked what she thinks should be done to keep people in positions of power from abusing their power, Upton replied: “I think a lot of people around them know about it and need to speak out.”
Responses to her tweet were a mix of supportive and less so, but at least one stood out, seemingly agreeing with Upton’s message.
I worked with him for a few years and was too afraid to say anything, but this is true. So very true.
— Sade Sellers (@IAMSadeSellers) February 1, 2018
Upton, who has appeared on dozens of magazine covers from Vogue to Sports Illustrated, was the face of Guess in 2011. Marciano, who co-founded the company in 1991, was appointed executive chairman and chief creative officer in August 2015.
Marciano, 65, has not been charged with a crime and denied any wrongdoing in a statement to TMZ, saying “If she has a claim, there’s one place to tell the truth and that’s in court or to the police.”
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