A model on TikTok has gone viral after accusing Project Runway alum Michael Costello of replacing her face with a White model's in a photo he shared on his Instagram story.
Runway model Shereen Wu called out the designer after he shared a photo of Wu walking in his show... but her face had been replaced with that of a White model.
In her video, Wu, an Asian-American, shared not only her outrage and disgust over the whole situation but also that Costello blamed the photo alteration on A.I.
The TikTok started with a photo of Wu on the runway at Costello's show.
Wu shared:
"I recently walked for Michael Costello..."
Showing the photo the designer shared on Instagram featuring a different face, Wu continued:
"... but that's not me who he posted on his story."
"Michael's a big designer with 1.7 million followers."
"Editing my face and removing my race is completely disrespectful."
Wu then shared screenshots of her conversation with Costello regarding the situation in which he "essentially... blamed the photographer."
Wu approached the photographer, who told her he did not edit the photo that was shared on Instagram. The photographer also revealed that Costello began to unsend/delete messages between the two.
Wu also shared that Costello had told another model that the altered photo was actually "fan art."
Later, Costello posted AI-generated photos of models "as if to imply everyone's doing this," and, as Wu said:
"So I shouldn't be angry."
Wu continued to argue that by removing her face, Costello is removing not only her race but also career opportunities.
“I understand as a model, I am replaceable but I don't get paid to do these shows."
"While I don't get paid, there’s tacit understanding that I'm doing this for exposure and photographs."
"By not using my face, he's taking advantage of models without the same influence as he does.”
You can watch the TikTok below.
Viewers of the viral video, which has now been viewed more than 1.7 million times, commended Wu for speaking out.
@shereenwu/Instagram
@shereenwu/Instagram
@shereenwu/Instagram
@shereenwu/Instagram
@shereenwu/Instagram
@shereenwu/Instagram
@shereenwu/Instagram
@shereenwu/Instagram
@shereenwu/Instagram
@shereenwu/Instagram
In her TikTok, Wu also shared that Costello has found himself mired in several race-centered controversies, as well as body-shaming and sexual harassment claims.
Wu referenced an article by Claire Lampen that laid out the controversies surrounding the designer, which she explained can help you "get a taste of Michael's character."
"Racist rumors, calling someone the N-word, body shaming, even sexual harassment."
Wu finished her video:
"But in the end, I'm just another disgruntled model who doesn't have much of a reach."
"Perhaps I'm making a mountain out of a molehill, and this will ruin my modeling career."
"But I do believe this is something I should stand up for."
As do we. 👏👏👏
@jman42/Bluesky
@SecretaryBurgum/X
@Doug Ellin/X
@evanrachelwood/Instagram