'There's not a lot of protection for young people': Australian star Abbey Lee reveals the dark side of the modelling industry and admits 'she didn't stand up for herself enough'

By Ilaria Brophy For Daily Mail Australia

Published: | Updated:

She's enjoyed an illustrious modelling career over the years; walking for the likes of  Gucci, Saint Laurent and Victoria's Secret.

Now, Australian star Abbey Lee has spoken about the dark side of the modelling industry.

During an interview with Stellar Magazine on Sunday, the 31-year-old was quizzed about the treatment of models after she fainted on Alexander McQueen's runway in 2008 due to extreme exhaustion and an incredibly tight corset. 

'There's not a lot of protection for young people': Australian star Abbey Lee revealed the dark side of the modelling industry in an interview with Stellar magazine and admitted 'she didn't stand up for herself enough.' Pictured at the Harper's Bazaar icons party on September 7, 2018 in New York City

'There's not a lot of protection for young people': Australian star Abbey Lee revealed the dark side of the modelling industry in an interview with Stellar magazine and admitted 'she didn't stand up for herself enough.' Pictured at the Harper's Bazaar icons party on September 7, 2018 in New York City

'I didn't stand up for myself enough when I should have. It's a very tricky industry and there's not a lot of protection for young models,' Abbey Lee revealed. 

'So if you don't know how to protect yourself, you can find yourself in situations where it would be nice to have somebody who's got your back. Sometimes when you're at an elite level, saying no or speaking out can be scary,' the lithe beauty said.  

The model-turned-actress added she's always been one to push herself to the limit.

'I didn't stand up for myself enough when I should have': During an interview with Stellar Magazine on Sunday the 31-year-old admitted the modelling industry could be 'scary' Pictured at the Alexander McQueen show on October, 3, 2008 in Paris

'I didn't stand up for myself enough when I should have': During an interview with Stellar Magazine on Sunday the 31-year-old admitted the modelling industry could be 'scary' Pictured at the Alexander McQueen show on October, 3, 2008 in Paris

'Sometimes when you’re at an elite level, saying no or speaking out can be scary': Australian star, Abbey Lee has opened up about the dark side of the modelling industry. Pictured at the 2008 Victoria's Secret Show In Miami, Florida 

'Sometimes when you're at an elite level, saying no or speaking out can be scary': Australian star, Abbey Lee has opened up about the dark side of the modelling industry. Pictured at the 2008 Victoria's Secret Show In Miami, Florida 

Abbey Lee, who kicked off her modelling career at the ripe age of 15, also shed some light on why she decided to drop her surname, Kershaw, from her brand.

'The weird thing is, it's not just in the last few years. When I started modelling at 15, I liked the look and sound and feel of Abbey Lee. So on all my modelling cards, I've never had Kershaw printed,' she explained. 

In 2015, Abbey Lee scored a breakout role in the film Mad Max: Fury Road and has since gone on to appear in films including, Gods of Egypt and The Dark Tower.

'On all my modelling cards, I've never had Kershaw printed': Abbey Lee, who kicked off her modelling career at the ripe age of 15 also shed some light on why she decided to drop her surname, Kershaw, from her brand. Pictured 2009 Victoria's Secret Show in New York

'On all my modelling cards, I've never had Kershaw printed': Abbey Lee, who kicked off her modelling career at the ripe age of 15 also shed some light on why she decided to drop her surname, Kershaw, from her brand. Pictured 2009 Victoria's Secret Show in New York

Earlier this year, Abbey Lee spoke about gender inequality in Hollywood, claiming there is still 'one female to every 10 men' getting roles.

Speaking to The Herald Sun, she said: 'For every script I get, a male actor friend will get five.'

'Every script with a female, there's one female to every 10 men. On top of that, there's the gender pay gap issue that's a huge problem worldwide.'

'In my workplace, I get paid less purely for that fact I am a female,' she continued.

Abbey rose to fame after winning the Girlfriend Model Search in 2004 and later moved to Sydney to pursue a runway career.

She has appeared in Vogue Australia and has posed in editorial campaigns for the likes of Anna Sui, Chanel, Gucci and Calvin Klein.

'Every script with a female, there's one female to every 10 men': Earlier this year, Abbey Lee (pictured) spoke about gender inequality in Hollywood, claiming there is still 'one female to every 10 men' getting roles

'Every script with a female, there's one female to every 10 men': Earlier this year, Abbey Lee (pictured) spoke about gender inequality in Hollywood, claiming there is still 'one female to every 10 men' getting roles

 

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