A video vixen recently disclosed through a Twitter page dubbed weird confessions Uganda that for all the time she had spent appearing in musicians’ videos, she was paid with sex, hard drugs and alcohol. She accused producers of feeding on empty promises.
“Guys, I’ll never wish this life on anyone. Those girls are manipulated, some are pretty young and naïve and are introduced to hard drugs and alcohol addiction. Have you ever gotten a gig, they promised you money, then at the end you’re told, the money will come, let the video first become popular but drink all,” reads part of the post
Besides the poster, many other girls have found themselves in the same situation and gradually ruined their lives. There are also those that are eating big from appearing in music videos.
According to former vixen Quinn Mona, it starts with the way the girls present themselves for the business.
Mona, who currently runs Quin modeling agency, an agency that connects vixens with producers, says there are situations when these girls wish to feature in videos with the intention of appearing on television or chilling with celebrities. She also lists the qualities of a good video vixen as looking nice and having a nice body.
“There are girls who come with excitement to be with the musicians and are ready to do anything so she finds the artist already using substances and because she wants to fit in, she will do the same,” she explains
However, it’s a different story with those who come strictly for business.
“Musicians actually pay. Those who are not paid are those who come with the intention of just appearing in a video. Many times, these girls are not after money. They are swayed by the allure of appearing on screen. Such girls are usually approached by musicians for relationships and after they are dumped, they bring their issues to the public,” she explained
She continues to explain that the payment varies with how one expresses themselves. “If you present yourself as classy and have dignity, then your payment will be high compared to those who come with excitement. There are situations where producers dress the vixens. This is usually done by producer Nolton and George but there are also situations where they ask you to dress yourself,” she said
About not getting paid, she says her agency upgraded the vixen’s charges and she currently deals with those who can pay Shs500,000 and above. She doesn’t sign models and all the girls she works with are freelancers.
“I get their pictures and get them gigs and through that, they also get connected. There are also situations where you are down and agree to work for Shs30,000 or Shs50,000,” Mona said.
Video Vixen turned actress Uwera Mbabazi says not every girl goes through what the confessor is going through. She adds to Mona’s voice and says: “It depends on much the vixen wants that gig because for all the time I spent as a vixen, I can promise you that I never smoked, used drugs or alcohol but I used to work, get paid by those who would pay though there those who would not pay so it depends on what exactly that vixen wants because no one can force you to smoke or do drugs,” she said
About not being paid, Uwera said it happens though it sometimes depends on how you introduce yourself in the industry.
She explains that when a girl presents herself as a low-life slut or first sleeps with the director or with the artist, she is taken like that. They never get serious with but if she means serious business from day one, then they will also mean business
“Before I could start moving to come to set, I have to know the amount I am going to work for, I have to know about the costumes whether it is me to provide or them providing, I have to know what is going to be facilitated so it depends on how someone introduces themselves to the industry.
She further addresses the issue of little pay and says, it is kicking many girls out of business. “Sometimes the main vixen is paid Shs 100,000 and the extras are paid less than that. Sometimes that 100 has your costumes, transport and food,” she reveals
Video Producer Nolton/George told Top Secrets, a sister publication to theGrapevine that he doesn’t disagree with the confession but to an extent, he says it’s not true to say that some vixens don’t understand the dynamics of the business they are in.
“How can someone call you today or tomorrow that you should feature in someone’s video and you don’t get on the table to discuss a fee or have a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on how to operate!” he wondered
“If I call you today and you’re supposed to feature in an artiste’s video, I expect you to give me your rate card and we discuss it and it is only business that binds us. Once we finished, there is no more discussions until I have another gig. So that’s what happens,” he added
He also reveals that Quin Mona gets him all the girls they use in their videos and also gets to see that vixen physically on set.
He says that there is no specific payment for vixens. “The payment varies according to the discussion between the producer and the agent because some vixens will be like me. I just want to appear in a video. I don’t care whether they pay me or not and others will mean strictly business and tell you the amount of money they want to be paid for the kind of gig. Sometimes payment is discussed according to the project,” he explained.
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