Today I am so pleased to welcome Dal Maclean to Joyfully Jay. Dal Maclean has come to talk to us about her latest release, Object of Desire. She has also brought along copies to give away. Please join me in giving her a big welcome!
Remember that old adage- Don’t put your daughter on the stage? For my new book ‘Object of Desire’ I dug into the world of male modeling and at the end of it, I think I’d probably be advising “don’t put your son into modeling’. I had no idea just how much men are second-class citizens in the modeling world and the psychology behind that.
Female modeling can become a superstar occupation. The first wave of supermodels like Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell, and Cindy Crawford are still big names, and newer models are building their own empires and worldwide celebrity —Giselle Bundchen, Ariana Lima, Karlie Kloss, Cara Delivigne. Plus there are the celebrities who model like Kendall Jenner and the Hadids.
But male models? Male supermodels do exist but it’s like a different plane. Modeling is one of the only occupations where men and women can do basically the same job, but men are paid vastly less than women. The top ten best-paid models in the world are all women. This year the top female model, Giselle Bundchen earned over $30 million. The top male model, Sean O Pry, got around $1.5 million.
It’s true that there are many fewer jobs for male models than female. Women have more fashion and beauty magazines to fill, more fashion weeks to walk, lingerie, makeup, more interest still, in appearance in general.
But its more than that. Giselle has 14.5 million Instagram followers; David Gandy has one of the biggest Instagram followings of any (non-readymade-celebrity) male model at 859K. Those stats as much as earnings tell the story of the differing attitude of the public to male and female models. Of how men as an audience, have a different relationship with models to women do.
Lots of women like to follow female models lives on SM and celebrity sites they way they might do singers or female actors – as something aspirational. They’re interested in their lives, their fashion, their beauty tips.
Men, it seems, look at male models as animated hangers for the clothes they’re advertising. They don’t want to emulate them; they don’t admire them for what they’re doing; they’re not interested in who male models are as people. There’s something in the attitude of men – and some women — to the exploitation of beauty to make a living. It seems as fine for women, but for other men? Men may look up to sports stars, singers, sometimes actors. But not models. And it seems women must have similar ambivalent attitudes to male models.
As a society, we admire men who DO things. And increasingly fame matters. Which means companies more and more hire sportsmen, singers, actors, SM stars for top campaigns that once might have gone to male models.
That attitude can also impact the psyche of male models themselves. It seems a number of them can begin to struggle in the job after a while…. It’s definitely work for any model, male or female- to keep in shape, to fight the rest of the pack, to endure multiple rejections and an unforgiving industry. But, it’s also a passive occupation. Models are set dressing a lot of their time and their opinions are generally not required. That takes a particular kind of personality to endure. And male models must be aware of the lack respect they get in general from other men (and some women)
In Object of Desire, I’ve actually given Tom Gray a much easier ride in his career than most male models get. He gets huge success pretty much instantaneously. Most male models start in debt to their agencies and are paid so little for establishing jobs, even ones that look big, that the debt grows rather than clears. And remember the growing competition from male celebrities who use modeling campaigns as a lucrative sideline. And their kids.
All this sounds universally grim, but there will always be boys trying to get into an occupation that looks glamorous, a route to beautiful girls or men, and easy money. But its really not easy money.
Blurb
Tom Gray is one of the world’s top models–an effortless object of desire. Self-contained, elusive and always in control, he’s accustomed to living life entirely on his own terms. But when Tom comes under suspicion in the gory death of his employer, his world spirals into chaos.
Someone’s framing him. Someone’s stalking him. And as old secrets come to light, Tom finds his adversary always one step ahead.
Will Foster is the only man Tom trusts to help. But Tom brutally burned all bridges between them two years before, and Will paid a bitter price. If he wants to survive, Tom must prove his innocence to Will–and to the world.
Buy links:
Bio
Dal Maclean comes from Scotland. Her background is in journalism, and she has an undying passion for history, the more gossipy and scandalous the better. Dal has lived in Asia and worked all over the world, but home is now the UK. She dislikes the Tragic Gay trope, but loves imperfect characters and genuine emotional conflict in romantic fiction. As an author, and a reader, she believes it’s worth a bit of work to reach a happy ending. Agatha Christie, English gardens and ill-advised cocktails are three fatal weaknesses, though not usually at the same time.
Her first book, “Bitter Legacy”, was a 2017 Lambda Literary Award Finalist for best Gay Mystery and was chosen by the American Libraries Association for their 2018 Over The Rainbow Recommended Books List.
- Personal Website: www.dalmaclean.com
- Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15408926.Dal_Maclean
- Twitter: @MacleanDal
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Dal-Maclean/100010371585020
- Instagram: dalmaclean
Giveaway
Dal has brought three copies of Object of Desire to give away to three lucky readers. Just leave a comment at the end of the post to enter. The contest ends on Saturday, May 26th at 11:59 pm ET.
- By entering the giveaway, you’re confirming that you are at least 18 years old.
- Winners will be selected by random number. No purchase necessary to win. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning.
- If you win, you must respond to my email within 48 hours or another winner may be chosen. Please make sure that your spam filter allows email from Joyfully Jay.
- Winners may be announced on the blog following the contest. By entering the contest you are agreeing to allow your name to be posted and promoted as the contest winner by Joyfully Jay.
- Prizes will be distributed following the giveaway either by Joyfully Jay or the person/organization donating the prize.
- All book prizes are in electronic format unless otherwise specified.
- By entering you are agreeing to hold Joyfully Jay harmless if the prize or giveaway in some way negatively impacts the winner.
- Readers may only enter once for each contest. Duplicate entries for the same giveaway will be ignored. In the event of technical problems with the blog during the contest, every effort will be made to extend the contest deadline to allow for additional entries.
- Void where prohibited by law.
Hi!!! congrats on your new book <3
Thank you Loren! Thats very kind of you 🙂
I LOVED her first book! She became one of my favorite authors. I can’t wait to read this one as well ?.
Goge
Well thats wonderful to hear! Thank you Goge! I hope that if you read OOD, you enjoy it too. X
I loved bitter legacy, looking forward to this one!
Thank you Izengabe, and thank you for taking the time to comment! I really hope you like OOD if you read it. I’m pretty fond of it myself 😀
“Modeling is one of the only occupations where men and women can do basically the same job, but men are paid vastly less than women.”
wow, I actually had no idea that was the case! I loved this whole post because it touched on a topic I was totally ignorant about.
I’ve been meaning to read your first book (it’s on my kindle!!) and my book buddy has been telling me how great this one is, too, and I can’t wait to get to both. congrats on the release!!
Yeah researching it was a real eye opener! Thank you for reading the post HJ, and for taking the time to comment. I hope if you get round to reading BL and/or OOD that you enjoy them! Thank you again for your lovely message 🙂
I’m looking forward to reading your book Dale, I remember years ago watching a tv programme about Male Models and how difficult it was to break into and the difference in money between them and Females. I was surprised then and looks like it hasn’t changed much since then.
Yeah researching it was a real eye opener! Thank you for reading the post HJ, and for taking the time to comment. I hope if you get round to reading BL and/or OOD that you enjoy them! Thank you again for your lovely message 🙂
Thanks Shirley! It doesnt sound like much has changed does it? Male modelling is still a pretty hard way to make a good living. I really hope you enjoy OOD if you do read it. 🙂
I like murder mysteries. This looks good!
Thanks Jennifer! I hope it is! 🙂 X
I had no idea really, but if you think about it that’s really interesting. I was trying to think of how many male models I actually know the name of. I know who David Gandy, but I had to look up Sean O’Pry. Apparently I live under a rock. There is Tyson Beckford, of course. I think it’s what you are draw to also: Ryan Burns is more my flavor. Antonio Sabato Jr. started as a model. Everyone else I can think of was an actor or sports figure first. This made me think of that interview I just read with Brendan Fraser (GQ) which highlights what happens when you are treated like a piece of meat.
Yes – thats it exactly! (I saw that interview too. Really heartbreaking.) I dont think most people could name many male models because they arent built as stars the way female models are. And you don’t have to be living under a rock not to know Sean O Pry – I hadnt a clue either until I started to research. But he’s the No 1 male model. The difference from female modelling really is fascinating and I do think its a reflection of how we view men and women in our attitudes to beauty and using beauty to make a living. Thanks for such an interesting comment. 🙂 X
This sounds great! I’m looking forward to reading. Thanks for the interesting post.
Thanks Toni! Im glad you enjoyed it and thanks for stopping by. 🙂 X
This was a great post! I just love how your mind works!
Ha! What a lovely thing to say. Thanks Diane! XX
I was totally unaware of these statistics for male models. I guess that proves your point…
Your new book sounds fantastic. I have a friend that got it as soon as she could…and she loves it. 🙂
Hi Barbra! Its quite a gulf isn’t it? Im thrilled your friend likes OOD. And thank you for commenting! X
Fascinating post, Dal. Thanks for sharing it! Bitter Legacy was such a great book (though it left me scarred for a bit!), so I’m looking forward to Object of Desire.
Thanks Carolyn! I’m so glad you enjoyed Bitter Legacy (in a masochistic sort of way :p). I hope OOD leaves fewer scars if you read it. Take care. XX 🙂
Welcome, Dal, and thanks for a thoughtful and informative post. I quite enjoyed Bitter Legacy and look forward to reading Object of Desire. Best wishes for your next writing project!
Thank you Kareni. Im glad you enjoyed the post. And I hope you like OOD, if you read it. Thanks too for the best wishes – its very kind of you. 🙂
Congrats on your book release! It sounds like an interesting story. Thank you the post!
Thanks HB! I hope its interesting. 🙂 And thank you for taking the time to comment. XX
Congrats on the book. I am really surprised there is that huge of a difference between pay for woman and men.
Thanks Paul! The gulf is widest at the very top I think because female supermodels can earn a fortune, but all the way down, the difference in pay and status is pretty stark. Thanks for commenting! 🙂
Congratulations on your new book! It looks very promising, I love a good mystery so I’m looking forward to reading this one. 🙂
Hi Annika! Thank you and thank you for commenting! I love a good mystery too so I feel you! I hope you think OOD qualifies, if you read it. 🙂 XX
Congrats on your new release! Sounds like another great one. Look forward to reading it. 🙂 Thanks for the giveaway!
Thank *you* for commenting Lisa, and for the kind words!
Thank you for the interesting post. Wow! I did not know there was such big differences between male and female models. It seems so unfair.
congratulations on the release. I loved your first book, I’m sure I’ll love this one as well
Thank you Susana! Yeah it is quite a gap – market forces I suppose governed by all kinds of factors. Im so glad you liked Bitter Legacy and I hope you enjoy Object too, if you read it. Thanks again for stopping by to say hi. 🙂 XX
This book sounds great! I’m looking forward to reading it.
Thanks Kim! Sorry for the delay in replying- I just saw your comment. I appreciate you stopping by though! XX