Michaela Steenkamp's Topless NZ Next Top Model Controversy

by Amy Judd | August 25, 2010 at 12:29 pm

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16-Year-Old Michaela Steenkamp's Topless Photo For New Zealand's Next Top Model Caused a Stir on Their Website

The New Zealand Herald said concerns were raised that Michaela was too young to be shown topless on the TV3 website. She was photographed for a challenge on the popular show and was shown naked from the waste up with her body covered in mud but her breasts visible.

A website called The Throng approached TV3 and expressed concern over the photo but were told that Michaela was wearing adhesive covers on her body.

"We make every effort to protect the girls' modesty and none of the girls are forced to do anything that they aren't comfortable doing," TV3 said.

However, just a few hours later a new photo was posted on the TV3 website with white steam covering up Michaela's breasts. Two other contestants also had altered photos - 22-year-old Amelia Gough and 19-year-old Danielle Hayes.

Blogger Issac Likes covered the story and received a statement from TV3 saying that the wrong photos went up on the website from the beginning:

We were never going to broadcast Michaela "topless". This photoshoot was styled by Kylie Cooke and shot by Jackie (2 women..) - and they all had a chaperone.. their nipples were taped. The fact is, the un-photoshopped ones appeared on on our website as there were two image discs so one got uploaded in error."