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What I expected to be one of the easiest assignments of my career ended up taking a serious twist.
There I was a male journalist reporting on the largest lingerie fashion show in the world against the backdrop of recent sexual harassment allegations that have gripped the headlines for months. How did I feel about my newfound reality?
Whether through a breaking news alert, a post on social media, or a widely rumored ‘truth’, sexual harassment allegations have become a common occurrence with stories of assaults against women in entertainment and news, usually of women previously paralyzed with fear of coming forward.
We journalists, particularly males, readily distance ourselves from the horrid behavior of these sexual predators while ignoring the systemic route of such repugnant conduct.
Backstage at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in Shanghai on November 20, 2017.
When it was announced that this year’s Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show was being held in Shanghai with a record number of Chinese models hitting the runway I knew this was a newsworthy event that we could not ignore. As a journalist who favors covering culture, entertainment and sports as part of China’s soft power rise, I did not hesitate to pitch this event to my bosses. But back then, even before the recent spate of sexual harassment claims, I felt uneasy as a male wanting to attend this lingerie show and I immediately expressed an interest in having one of my female colleagues attend as well.
My coverage plans included looking at the significance of the show being in China, the record number of Chinese models and the changing face of global standards of beauty. This all seemed reasonably logical and certainly is what gave credence to my assignment, but I knew I could not ignore the fact that one of the biggest attractions of fashion’s biggest night is its “sexiness”.
The star-studded spectacle included over 50 beautiful models parading down the runway. The crown jewel of the evening was the annual bedazzled fantasy bra encrusted with an array of precious jewels that easily pushed the price tag to over 2 million US dollars.
A record seven Chinese models walked in the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show on November 20 in Shanghai.
The dilemma I had to confront was how do I report on “sexiness” without being “sexist”?
In the months and weeks leading up to the show, my dilemma was heightened as reports of sexual harassment in the media continued to get worse.
How I was going to confront this? There was no way that beauty or bras would be left out of the coverage. At the time, it seemed like my initial inclination to team up with a female reporter was the smart choice. But what I neglected to consider was the fact that the logic behind my reasoning was just as archaic and offensive as the torrid behavior Hollywood that insiders like Harvey Weinstein are accused of. Here I was, a male reporter who prides himself on the work he does, now concerned about the perception of interviewing beautiful women wearing lingerie. Was my anxiety the result of some raging male hormone that makes us men become animalistic towards women? Or was I having a machismo ego trip assuming these women would be throwing themselves at me?
Models participating in this year's Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in Shanghai.
I can assure you neither was the case. From my initial interaction with newcomer model Estelle Chen discussing the show’s diverse lineup to my candid conversation with fantasy bra model Lais Ribeiro about her newfound love of China, professionalism was very much on display.
However, sexist stereotypes were always close to the surface. Whenever I informed colleagues or friends – especially male ones – of my plans to cover the show I was usually met with sarcastic skepticism. For some, the idea of this being “my job” and something to take seriously seemed almost laughable.
“Sure, you are going to work!”
“Oh, such a tough job you have!”
Unfortunately, their perceptions were also my concerns, which is why I wanted a female colleague to come along. For me, any speculation that my presence in Shanghai was for any sort of shenanigan made me only want to err on the side of caution by having a woman by my side. But more importantly, it was essential that we worked as a team so we could discuss what we wrote and how we covered it, giving our reporting a balanced perspective and not just a heterosexual man’s view.
I never wanted to give off the appearance that I was anything other than a respectable journalist doing “my job.”
Sure, I was ecstatic to meet models like Chen and Ribeiro. Of course, I had to control my excitement when Xie Xin thanked me for an amazing interview and proceeded to hug me. I mean here I was backstage at a lingerie fashion show with barely dressed gorgeous women from all around the world.
But now, reflecting on my experience, I believe that my own concerns about being sexist actually belittled the very real claims of the women who are coming forward with sexual harassment allegations. As a journalist, the best I can do is act professionally at all times, whether or not the story is about sexism or sexual harassment.
(CGTN)
