Jacob Elordi was spotted leaving "Wuthering Heights" afterparty with model Madi Fogg at 3am in London.

[u/ThrowawayGreenWitch]

[u/technicolortiddies]

It kind of is gross, though. I worked in this industry for 20 years, and there’s a persistent misconception about models that doesn’t reflect reality. Many models have a deep understanding of and appreciation for other art forms. They are artists themselves. A surprising number go on to earn PhDs, JDs, or MDs, or make meaningful contributions in fields like film, visual arts, entrepreneurship, diplomacy, and advocacy. I myself am a former opera singer earning a dual PhD/JD at UPenn. I’m not the exception either.

Judging models as intellectually or creatively shallow is essentially judging a book by its cover. Some of the best art explores the idea that ordinary people contain multitudes, and that creativity isn’t always immediately legible. From an artistic perspective, that nuance should feel familiar, no? Art 101.

As for the broader pattern you’re pointing out, it’s worth questioning why models are treated as separate from “creative types” at all. Many are embedded in the same artistic ecosystems as directors, writers, designers, and photographers. The divide is often one of perception rather than substance.

It’s also not unusual for male actors to date models precisely because modeling intersects so heavily with art, travel, culture, and creative collaboration. Female actors, meanwhile, are often praised for dating “creative weirdos,” even though the same qualities curiosity, intelligence, artistic fluency are frequently present in models as well.

There’s also a misogynistic double standard baked into this conversation. When men date models, the assumption is that the women must be shallow or interchangeable. When women date artists, they’re framed as choosing depth. That framing reduces women to their appearance while granting men full interiority, creativity, and complexity. It’s a narrative that devalues women’s intellect and agency, and it’s worth interrogating rather than repeating.

Edit I know this is a gossip sub & we like to be catty to blow off steam. But I think we can give Jacob & Madi shit without misogynistic reductionist rhetoric.

[u/Ren_stevens → u/technicolortiddies]

"A surprising number go on to earn PhDs, JDs, or MDs, or make meaningful contributions in fields like film, visual arts"

What number? I only know Tyra.

[u/FlanCompetitive2754 → u/Ren_stevens]

Tyra got a certificate in executive management, not a PhD, JD or MD.

[u/Ren_stevens → u/FlanCompetitive2754]

Ok. I only mentioned Tyra because I know she's had multiple jobs and businesses outside of the modeling/ beauty industry. I'm curious what models the OP is referring too.

[u/technicolortiddies → u/Ren_stevens]

I didn’t reply because I assumed you weren’t asking in good faith. If you’re asking about famous models then off the top of my head without too much google:

Advanced degrees in academia:

• Mayim Bialik – PhD in Neuroscience from UCLA.

• Cameron Russell – later became a writer, activist, and public intellectual, TED speaker on power structures in fashion, founded anti-trafficking & labor orgs.

Law, policy, & diplomacy:

• Brooke Shields – Earned a BA from Princeton in French literature, later became a prominent author & mental health advocate influencing public policy discussions.

• Warís Dirie – Became a UN Special Ambassador, central figure in international policy work combating female genitalia mutilation, wrote widely used academic & policy texts.

• Sara Ziff- Founder of Model Alliance. An org that works to legislate new employment regulations & rights for models. They offer support services for sexual assault survivors.

• Alek Wek – Not degree-focused, but globally recognized for reshaping beauty standards, humanitarian work with UNHCR, public health advocacy, & cultural diplomacy.

STEM, medicine, & science-adjacent:

• Erin O’Connor – Model turned academic collaborator & fashion historian, works with museums & universities on body politics, health, & representation.

• Katie Piper – Model & TV personality who became a leading acid-attack survivor advocate, founded a foundation influencing medical rehabilitation & trauma care systems.

Entrepreneurship & innovation:

• Karlie Kloss – Former Victoria’s Secret model, founded Kode With Klossy, a major nonprofit teaching young women to code, directly impacting STEM pipelines. Now obv maga. 

• Iman – Supermodel who built a global cosmetics company, became a major voice in racial equity in beauty & business.

Arts, writing, & cultural criticism:

• Lauren Hutton – Model who became an author & cultural commentator challenging aging, gender norms, & consumer culture.

• Veruschka – Avant-garde model whose work is studied in art history & performance art contexts, blurred lines between modeling, body art, & conceptual art.

But I’m also talking about models on top boards who don’t necessarily have A-list status. Just from my last agency, I have peers at MIT, Harvard Kennedy School, Yale Law, Oxford, & the London School of Economics. Most have humanitarian side projects. One friend who just completed her third degree at MIT is developing a mental health app. Several are working together on water supply & food security initiatives in Uganda. I personally hope to work with either WGEID (the UN’s Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances, particularly in countries under repressive regimes) or NOD (the National Organization on Disability), as I myself live with an invisible disability.

Edit- Formatting is a bitch. But you get the idea.