Ex-model slams Victoria's Secret show

NEW YORK, Dec. 6 (UPI) -- A former model says the Victoria's Secret TV special is not "wholesome," and criticizes producers for booking Canadian singer Justin Bieber to perform on it.

Nicole Clark, a former fashion model who advises girls on the pitfalls of modeling, said the appearance by the 18-year-old pop star is "clear evidence" the lingerie maker is targeting teen and preteen girls.

"The practice some corporations use of applying the rule 'sex sells,' regardless of the cost, should not apply to our children," Clark said in a statement Wednesday. "When will we draw the line? The Victoria Secret Fashion Show is not a wholesome family show so why are they enlisting every 8-year-old girl's teen idol to perform?"

Clarke said the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show "has never been anything more than an opportunity for voyeurs to ogle models in revealing lingerie," but she said the show used to at least pretend it was intended for mature audiences.

"That facade was shattered last year when Katy Perry performed 'Teenage Dream' while models strutted down the runway in skimpy outfits with patterns that came straight out of a 1st grade classroom, featuring rainbow stockings, polka-dot panties, a smiley-face sunshine robe, and even lipstick-spotted pj's with a long slit down the front and a hole over the rear to expose the sequined 'Kiss This' panties," she said.

Clark said the program reinforces "an extremely narrow, unhealthy and, for most, unattainable ideal of female beauty."

"It's broadcasting on a national scale the extremely damaging message, already so prevalent in the media, that sexuality is all our girls have to offer," she said.

The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show was taped last month and aired this week on CBS.