Page 3 icon Rhian Sugden lifts lid on stripping off for first ever photograph shoot – in porn studio
Rhian Sugden has opened up about her journey to become a top Page Three model, and how her life ‘completely changed’ after her first glamour photoshoot in a porn studio
Rhian Sugden was a page 3 legend(Image: Jam Press/@rhiansuggers)
A model has revealed how her life was utterly “changed overnight” after she abandoned a conventional 9-5 role to become one of the select few Page Three girls. Rhian Sugden says she felt confined in her career path following disappointing academic results at school.
After juggling various ordinary jobs, the struggling teen found herself employed at a telecommunications firm. The model experienced an overwhelming sense of “failing” – which intensified when she discovered that even her secondary school bully had begun glamour modelling.
Speaking on the Babestation Option One podcast, the now 39-year-old explained how she then embraced the mindset of “if she can do it so can I”, which transformed her life dramatically within seven days. “I just felt like I was failing,” said Rhian, from Bury in Greater Manchester, who boasts 495,000 Instagram followers @rhiansuggers.
“I’d flunked college and thought, ‘Is this it? Am I going to work in telecommunications for the rest of my life?'”. I saw on MySpace that a girl who bullied me at school had done a glamour photo shoot, and I thought, ‘If she can do it, I’m giving it a go.'”.
“My boyfriend’s cousin modelled for the Daily Sport newspaper and said she could get me a shoot. It was actually in a porn studio – I felt so uncomfortable getting my clothes off,” Rhian told the host of the Babestation podcast.
“Within a week, I was on Page Three of The Sun and I was contracted. It literally went from zero to Page Three overnight. I didn’t even know what was going on. I quit my job and my life just completely changed.”
Rhian’s sense of failure stemmed from anxiety that hampered her performance during school exams. She didn’t pass any of her tests, resulting in her leaving education early and entering the workforce.
From operating tills at Iceland to installing customers’ telephone lines, the model undertook various conventional jobs. Despite her hardworking attitude, Rhian felt dissatisfied with her life – but this transformed entirely following her inaugural nude photo session.
After overcoming her apprehension about disrobing in the studio, she sent her portfolio via email to London-based agencies. Within a week, she had secured representation with a reputable agent.
Rhian revealed on the Babestation podcast: “I sent the pictures to some agencies in London just to try my luck. I got signed by Samantha Bond – Katie Price’s agent at the time.
“I loved it, It was the best time of my life. I felt very empowered, but the anxiety that came with it was unreal.”
During her appearance on the Babestation podcast, Rhian acknowledged that the stress began almost instantly. Although she was having the most enjoyable period of her life as a tabloid model, Rhian experienced daily pressure.
She disclosed that only 12 girls were ever under contract, creating an intensely competitive atmosphere. The model even suggested that one poor fake tan or questionable hair extensions could signal the conclusion of a career.
Rhian stated: “They’d drop one girl every year and bring another one in. It was brutal. If you had bad hair extensions, if you were overweight, if your tan was bad – you were out.
“You wouldn’t get away with it these days. To stick around was an achievement. Making it another year felt like, ‘I’ve done it again.'”.
“Being Page Three alumni actually meant something. When I was younger, Page Three girls were celebrated.
“Now it’s really frowned upon, and it does close doors. But I think my story’s pretty inspiring for women who want to try something new in modelling.”
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