This Model Is Quitting the Industry Because of the "Fakes and the Lies"

Ajak Deng, a successful 25-year-old Australian model, announced on Instagram yesterday that she is leaving the modeling industry.

[instagram ]https://instagram.com/p/BCIjxASioLw/?taken-by=ajak_deng" data-instgrm-version="14" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);" >​

The caption, which explains her departure, says:

Put your best foot forward. I am happy to announce that I am officially done with the fashion industry, I will be moving back to Australia In order to live the life that I fully deserved. Which is real life. I can no longer deal with the fakes and the lies. My life is too short for this dramatic life. I am thankful and grateful for every sweet souls that I have crossed path with.

This is a big loss for the fashion industry, seeing as though Ajak has modeled for Chloé and Givenchy, and walked in NYFW last week for major shows such as Marc Jacobs and Zac Posen.

[instagram ]https://instagram.com/p/BB-Zmc4ioKy/?taken-by=ajak_deng" data-instgrm-version="14" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);" >​

[instagram ]https://instagram.com/p/BB2ncVuioNE/?taken-by=ajak_deng" data-instgrm-version="14" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);" >​

Ajak doesn't further explain what specific drama, fakes, and lies she's dealt with during her career but instead focuses on the positive. In another Instagram she posted shortly after her announcement, she simply said "Thank you for your blessings God."

[instagram ]https://instagram.com/p/BCItEoJCoOY/?taken-by=ajak_deng" data-instgrm-version="14" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);" >​

Model Nykhor Paul, who has spoken out in the past about racism she's faced in the modeling industry, posted an Instagram in support of Ajak following her announcement. 

[instagram ]https://instagram.com/p/BCLeBWzL-tU/?taken-by=nykhor" data-instgrm-version="14" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);" >​

The post says:

I am sad to lose one of the most beautiful top models from my country because of these ignorant people in fashion who forgot what a fashion show consist of. We need variety in the runways and magazines because this shit is getting boring!!!They are breaking our backs with these racist shit! We came to the west to find peace and stability instead it's been unbearable to just exist. Can we just be beautiful and have you accept that and be comfortable with that!!! We sure as hell don't treat you this way when you come to Africa!! We black models have to stand together and support each other without fear of losing your job or being label as the big mouth angry black person, or lose the white privileges that you now think you have because we are all going through something but are not organized to speak in unison about these nonsense!!Kisses and smiles don't mean anything, modeling is a job, a regular job! The only difference is the job requirements! This is an industry where we the blacks models are at the bottom levels as much as they shoot us everyday we will never reach the white models level. We are in a business were ignorants white people put themselves at the pedestal constantly because they think they are the most beautiful, the most intelligent, the most creative, the most heroic, the best at everything. We are the added on last minute options not a priority!! They have manage to destroy us and shred us to pieces with no one to speak us for us. This is fashion but it's way deeper than just pretty girls walking down catwalks!!! This is extreme bullying!!! Illusions will get us nowhere! Stop hurting us in this way, God don't like ugly!!!​

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