“Reacher” star Alan Ritchson recounts being sexually assaulted by 'famous photographer' when he was a model

"Let's be honest, it's like legalized sex trafficking," the actor says of the modeling industry.

As the title character on Reacher, Alan Ritchson can seemingly do anything. The 6'3" actor portrays a muscular juggernaut who's able to solve problems with his fists just as much as his mind in the adaptation of Lee Child's popular novels. But in a candid new interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Ritchson, 41, discussed a darker period of his career. When working as a fashion model in his 20s, Ritchson said he was sexually assaulted multiple times by photographers, and was unsparing in his assessment of the industry.

"There are very few redeeming qualities to working in that industry," Ritchson said. "Let’s be honest, it's like legalized sex trafficking. The industry is not regulated, and it's a widely known secret that if you're hired on a job, you're basically being passed off to a photographer to be trafficked."

Ritchson didn't name names, but he shared a harrowing account of being assaulted by someone in a position of power. "I was booked for a shoot for this very famous photographer," the actor said. "I was sent into a hotel room to do nudes with the promise that if I did the shoot, he would offer me a very lucrative campaign for a magazine and a clothing line. I was sexually assaulted by this guy."

Ritchson continued, "I left and drove straight to the agency that I was at in L.A. I stormed in and said, 'F--- you for sending me there. You knew what was going to happen, and you did it anyway.' There was a coy smile [on this agent's face], knowing he got caught. 'It's OK,' he said. 'Not a big deal, calm down. I won't send you back there. I know he's a little aggressive.' I said, 'No! F--- you!' I told them to never call me again. I quit the industry and it was the last photo shoot I've ever had. Those pictures were never seen or published. That was it. I swore it off and thank God acting found me at the exact same time so I was able to make a switch to a new career, but it left some scars."

The actor is aware that this problem can be even more horrific for women. He said his experiences with sexual assault have made him more empathetic to what female actors and models go through.

"I completely empathize with women who deal with dynamic power struggles with predatory people in the workplace," Ritchson said. "It's still unfair, but if I really had to, I could get myself out of whatever room I was in through a physical altercation. Most women don't have that option. Imagine how terrifying it must be."

Ritchson's pivot from modeling involved a stint on American Idol season 3, where he was cut during the round of 32 before Fantasia Barrino's eventual win. He then scored a role on Smallville as Arthur Curry, a.k.a. Aquaman, before playing a second superhero (Hawk) on Titans a decade later. Now, with Reacher going into season 3 and big roles in upcoming movies The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare and Ordinary Angels, his career is in a nice place.

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