Spanish government use model's image in campaign without permission

British model slams Spanish government’s equality ministry for using her photo in body-positive beach campaign without her permission and leaving her ‘saddened

• Nyome Nicholas-Williams, from London, says image used without permission 
• She was featured in body positivity campaign by the Spanish Equality Ministry
• Ms Nicholas-Williams says artist has since confirmed she will be paid for image

A British model has been left ‘shocked’ and ‘saddened’ after a photograph was used without her permission in a body positivity campaign by the Spanish government.

The advertisement, produced by the Spanish Equality Ministry, shows several women of different shapes and sizes relaxing on a beach, with the slogan: ‘Summer is ours too’.

The campaign has been praised for its move away from ‘beach body ready’ beauty standards – but Nyome Nicholas-Williams says she was featured without permission.

The 30-year-old model, from London, claims the image was taken from her Instagram profile – Curvy Nyome – without her consent.

She told Sky News that the artist behind the campaign has been in touch and confirmed she will be paid – but she hasn’t heard from the Spanish government.

The advertisement, produced by the Spanish Equality Ministry, shows several women of different shapes and sizes relaxing on a beach, with the slogan: ‘Summer is ours too’. Nyome Nicholas-Williams is pictured second from right

The campaign has been praised for its move away from ‘beach body ready’ summer beauty standards – but Nyome Nicholas-Williams (above) says she was featured without permission

‘It is just a reminder that as a black woman my body is still policed and as women in general our bodies are still not ours,’ Ms Nicholas-Williams told Metro. 

‘I didn’t have any control over how my body was being used in the image, so I was really sad initially. Then, I felt really angry.’

The poster features five women of different shapes and races relaxing on a beach.

Ms Nicholas-Williams is seen in a gold bikini in the image – a photograph she says was edited into the scene from a snap she had posted to her own Instagram page.

The model says she only found out about the poster when a friend contacted her.

She said: ‘You can see it’s me. I have family members getting in touch to say “well done”. What is going on here?’

Ms Nicholas-Williams added she would have participated in the campaign had she been contacted about it beforehand. 

The 30-year-old model, from London, claims the image (second from right) was taken from her Instagram profile – Curvy Nyome – without her consent

Ms Nicholas-Williams is seen in a gold bikini in the image – a photograph she says was edited into the scene from a snap she had posted to her own Instagram page

The model (above in April) says she only found out about the poster when a friend contacted her

After finding the poster online, she wrote on Instagram: ‘Just because I carry it well that doesn’t mean it’s not heavy! 

‘Do I not deserved to be even asked whether my likeness can be used for a Spanish government campaign? 

‘Do I not deserve to be paid for the usage of said image?

‘I really am over it and I’m drained! Like it’s too much. Y’all are just down right disrespectful at this point.’

She told Sky News that the situation left her ‘frustrated’, adding: ‘I was shocked and saddened because it has happened to me before, and I was angry because the lack of awareness is staggering.

Ms Nicholas-Williams said she would have participated in the campaign had she been contacted about it

‘I was very annoyed. It is frustrating because my agency work hard to make sure my image use is done properly, the fact they’ve not paid is frustrating.’

The campaign was launched in July by the Spanish Equality Ministry and the Institute of Women.

It says: ‘Summer is ours too. Enjoy it how, where and with whomever you want. 

‘Today we toast to a summer for all, without stereotypes and without aesthetic violence against our bodies.’

MailOnline has contacted the Spanish government for comment.

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