Simply Be Hires "Skinny" Model

Participants in a contest ran by retail e-commerce site Simply Be are upset with the company because the winner of its New Icon Model Search was a last-minute addition (and also a professional model who is closer to straight size than plus size).

According to several finalists of the contest ran by the size-inclusive company in London, the company withheld the winner's background until the contest was over. One of the rules of the Search stated contestants couldn't have experience in modeling.

Finalists claimed Simply Be were not forthcoming about its choice for its winner, and they considered transparency crucial to the Search. Those chosen as finalists shared stories about their struggles with their weight and mental health for a chance to win a one-year modeling contract.