Iggy Azalea has spoken out after a number of topless photos of her were leaked from her 2016 GQ cover shoot.
Fans of the popstar might have noticed she’s been MIA from social media recently in the wake of the leak, and she’s now released a statement on the ‘humiliation’ she feels.
‘A lot of high-profile women have shot covers for GQ with a strategically placed hand etc covering their breasts etc,’ she wrote. ‘I always felt they were very beautiful covers, so I jumped at the opportunity.’
However, Iggy went on to say she’d never seen any other women’s covers leaked, so she felt comfortable modelling for such a reputable magazine, knowing only the images with her hands covering her chest would be considered for printing.
‘I never consented to taking topless pictures for potential release, period. It was my understanding before shooting, GQ do not print topless pictures,’ she continued.
‘There was no reason for anyone to have kept the outtakes from the shoot. I’m surprised and angry they were not immediately deleted after the final images were selected.’
She explained:
Today, I’m a ball of negative emotions. I feel blindsided, embarrassed, violated, angry, sad, and a million other things.
Not solely because I did not consent to this, but also because of the vile way people have reacted.
A lot of the comments I see from men in particular taking things even further and sharing their thoughts and fantasies in regards to my body has honestly disturbed me.
The outright wicked things people say is overwhelming and makes me feel like throwing up.
Iggy continued:
If you’ve ever been humiliated before in front of family and those you care about maybe you can relate to what I’m going through.
It’s like a nuclear bomb that explodes and not only destroys you emotionally, but leaves a path of destruction in your personal life, affecting your relationships and people who matter most.
Iggy is now trying to find out where the leak came from and says she will be pressing criminal charges against whoever is responsible.
She said:
It’s important to me that someone actually be held accountable for their actions and the way it impacts my life.
I don’t feel there is anywhere I can retreat to or that I have a ‘happy place’ I can wait in til it all blows over.
Please think of how you might feel if the shoe was yours to wear. I have seen some really vicious shit written in the last 24 hours and it is too much negativity for me to handle. For now it’s best to keep my accounts deactivated.
Please be kinder to one another.
Meanwhile, photographer Nino Muñoz, who shot the topless photos, issued a statement on Instagram, writing:
My heart goes out to anyone this situation has affected. I’m utterly outraged and will not rest until justice is served.
I’m outraged and saddened to find out that images of mine were stolen and published without my permission. There is currently an investigation underway. Posting these stolen images is illegal and anyone who has done so will be prosecuted.’
I empathise with any discomfort that this situation has caused to anyone that is involved.
If you have a story you want to tell send it to UNILAD via stories@unilad.co.uk.
Emma Rosemurgey is an NCTJ trained Journalist who started her career by producing The Royal Rosemurgey newspaper in 2004, which kept her family up to date with the goings on of her sleepy north east village. She graduated from the University of Central Lancashire in Preston and started her career in regional newspapers before joining Tyla (formerly Pretty 52) in 2017, and progressing onto UNILAD in 2019.