"Skins" is once again causing controversy, but this time outside the TV show. The cast, who have not turned 19 yet, have been pictured in lingerie or provocative clothing for the March issue of Elle Magazine which has hit newsstands since February 15.
In the images, Britne Oldford (18), Sofia Black-D'Elia (18), Camille Crescencia Mills (18), Rachel Thevenard (17) and James Newman (17) are wearing
underwear while posing on a white sheet. But there are also some pictures showing them dressing up since creative director Joe Zee styled the shoot using the key spring trends, inner-wear as outerwear. In the images, Britne Oldford (18), Sofia Black-D'Elia (18), Camille Crescencia Mills (18), Rachel Thevenard (17) and James Newman (17) are wearing
Still, Parents Television Council are not happy with the provocative photo shoot. "We have some concerns about it," Melissa Henson, the Director of Communications and Public Education for PTC, tells EW. "We had concerns about the GQ photo shoot of 'Glee', even though [that cast] was over the age of 19, because they were presenting themselves as high schoolers," she says, referring to Lea Michele, Cory Monteith and Dianna Agron' racy shots for GQ's November issue.
"With this, even though the poses are less provocative, the fact that they have these underage girls wearing lingerie is troubling," Henson adds. "It does contribute to the problem we're seeing increasingly, sexualizing young girls.... These are clearly very talented and capable actresses, but the purpose of that photo shoot and having them pose in lingerie isn't to highlight their acting ability. It's to highlight their attractiveness."
But Elle has had their defense on this, claiming that the images are not that racy and the underage stars have gotten consent from their parents. Robbie Myers, the magazine's editor-in-chief, states, "Innerwear as outerwear has been a trend for decades, and Joe Zee's point was to make what the actors wear on their show more fashion, less vulgar. The content of 'Skins' is infinitely more racy than anything we'd have them do. And we had the blessing of their parents: they were at the shoot."
The PTC, in the meantime, will continue its campaign against the