Reggie Yates Outside Man Season 1 Episode 6 Russia: Teen Model Factory

Reggie Yates Outside Man season 1 episode 6 takes viewers to Russia, where Reggie explores the world of teenage models and the often exploitative industry that surrounds them. In the episode titled "Russia: Teen Model Factory," Reggie meets young models and gets a firsthand look at the grueling lifestyle they endure.

At the beginning of the episode, Reggie meets with a young model named Nastya, who shares her experience of being scouted at age 14 and moving to Moscow to pursue modeling. Reggie is struck by how young she is and how quickly she had to grow up. Nastya tells Reggie that she feels under constant pressure to maintain her appearance and meet the demands of her agency.

Reggie then visits a modeling agency and meets with the founder, who defends the agency's practices and insists that they prioritize the safety and well-being of their models. However, Reggie also speaks with a former model who shares a different perspective. She reveals that she was frequently asked to do things she was uncomfortable with and that the industry can be rife with exploitation of young, vulnerable girls.

Next, Reggie visits a modeling school, where he sees teenagers as young as 12 being trained to walk and pose for the camera. One of the students tells Reggie that she hopes to use modeling to escape poverty and provide for her family. Reggie is struck by the desperation that drives many young girls into this industry.

Throughout the episode, Reggie also explores the societal pressures that contribute to the demand for young, thin, and conventionally attractive models. He visits a plastic surgery clinic and speaks with a young woman who has undergone multiple procedures to conform to beauty standards. He also spends time with a group of teenage girls who are members of a subculture known as "goths" and who reject mainstream beauty norms.

By the end of the episode, Reggie is left with a sobering look at the complex and often troubling world of teenage modeling in Russia. He reflects on the immense pressure placed on young girls to conform to narrow beauty standards and the profound impact it can have on their physical and emotional well-being.

"Russia: Teen Model Factory" is a thought-provoking exploration of a little-seen side of the fashion industry and the toll it can take on its young participants.