The Hidden Clauses in Model Contracts

Male models file lawsuits against agency Wilhelmina after top execs exit

In July 2025, two male models sued Wilhelmina Models, one of the biggest agencies in New York. The lawsuit claims they were misled into signing new three-year contracts without being told that their agents were planning to leave the company. Following these signings, both models experienced major problems in communication, lost potential job opportunities, and were left without professional guidance—but they still couldn't easily get out of their contracts with the agency.

The models accuse Wilhelmina of dishonest communication and failing to act in the models' best interests, arguing that the agency withheld important information. Their lawyers suggest the contracts contained hidden or unclear clauses, including limiting clauses that prevent them from working with other agencies and automatic renewal terms that locked the models into long-term commitments. If proven, these claims could show how vague wording and withholding important information from models is a form of misleading business practice in the fashion industry.

Agents Jessica Rosenberg, Gene Kogan and Matt Trust now work at a rival agency.

For decades, model contracts have favored agencies — often using complex language that hides how power, pay, and image rights are split up. The Wilhelmina case highlights the strong need for clear rules and better laws to protect models, especially since these contracts can significantly impact their careers and financial well-being. This case comes at a critical turning point, arriving just months after the New York Fashion Workers Act was passed into law. This new law requires agencies to provide easy-to-understand paperwork and prevents hidden terms that give agencies disproportionate power over their talent.

As a freelance model myself, I've experienced personally how agencies often approach with exciting opportunities but remain vague about contract terms. They often rush the signing process, skipping over important terms or using complex industry terms that hide the true meaning of what I'm agreeing to. When I take time to review these contracts, I often find unclear language about working only with one agency, payment percentages, and image usage rights.

For models, this is a reminder: the most dangerous part of a contract isn't what you can see — it's what's left unsaid. Every signature carries weight, and every hidden clause has a cost.

Greer, C. (2025, July 28). Exclusive | Male models file lawsuits against  agency Wilhelmina after top execs exit. Page Six. https://pagesix.com/2025/07/28/celebrity-news/models-file-lawsuits-against-wilhelmina-agency/

Schulz, M. (2025, January 7). The Fashion Workers Act is finally law. What happens now? Vogue. https://www.vogue.com/article/the-fashion-workers-act-is-finally-law-what-happens-now