Roman Kemp has spoken candidly about the long-lasting emotional toll of his early modelling career, revealing how it left him struggling with body dysmorphia and deep insecurities that still affect him to this day.
Before making a name for himself on Capital FM and The One Show, Roman headlined campaigns for Topman and ASOS. But the modelling world took a serious toll.
Roman revealed that his early modelling days took a lasting toll on his self-image (Credit: ITV)
Roman Kemp opens up about struggle with body dysmorphia
“When I was 19, I was the massive billboard on Topman at Oxford Circus. But it was horrendous, Absolutely awful,” the 32 year old revealed on his You About? podcast. “It is genuinely the most soul-crushing thing you’ve ever done.”
Roman described humiliating casting calls where models were made to strip in front of emotionless panels.
“You’d walk into these rooms with a piece of card the size of a birthday card. It would have your picture and measurements. You’ve got a group of fashionistas who do not acknowledge you. They barely even look at you. Then the person running it would go: ‘Take your top off.’ You’re just stood there in your boxers while they pass your card around.”
He said the lowest moment came when you’d wait to see if they’d “keep your card”.
Roman admitted that even now, years after leaving the industry, those experiences haunt him. He still avoids mirrors and can’t watch himself on TV.
“I can’t look at a picture of myself if it’s on the day. It will upset me for the rest of the day.”
He added: “Even with The One Show, they’ll throw to a video tape of me. Everyone will go: ‘You should watch it.’ I have to avoid the screen. I cannot look at it because it will put me off. I’ll be judging everything. It won’t be about what I’m actually doing, it’ll be about how I look. I don’t want to live like that.”
He also described how he actively avoids looking at his body in shop changing rooms.
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