09/04/2008
Former Big Brother Contestant Joshuah Quits A&F Job Over Blond Highlights
PROTESTS COMPANY'S 'HIERARCHY OF HOTNESS'
Abercrombie & Fitch's hiring practices are being scrutinized once again by the Dallas Morning News, which last week featured the story of former gay Big Brother contestant Joshuah Welch:
"Sales people function as the store's advertising and are handpicked by current employees, said Joshuah Welch, a 26-year-old Dallas resident, was hired two weeks ago as a manager and told to recruit people who walked into the store looking 'all-American, clean, wholesome, or the girl or boy next door.' He said stocking employees, on the other hand, are told not to speak to customers. 'It's a hierarchy of hotness,' he said. The job is 'a cattle call and you are hired based on looks, not your ability to fold clothes or work with people,' Mr. Welch said...He just quit his managerial training program at the NorthPark store after his bosses told him he would have to leave if he didn't get rid of his new blond highlights. 'I need a job where I am appreciated for the work I do, not because I fit into their mold,' said Mr. Welch, who previously worked for Abercrombie in Austin before appearing on a season of the CBS reality show Big Brother. 'I thought they had evolved, but they haven't,' he said."
You may remember Joshuah as the Big Brother contestant who misinformed his housemates that gay men can't get HIV if they're topping their partners.
(via afterelton and reality blurred)
Posted 10:46 AM EST by Andy Towle in Abercrombie & Fitch, Big Brother, Discrimination, News, Reality TV | Permalink
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"I thought they had evolved, but they haven't," he said.
Really? He is one smart cookie...
Posted by: JP | Sep 4, 2008 11:02:37 AM
OMG. Maybe he'll also find out eventually that there isn't a real Santa Claus.
Posted by: Brad | Sep 4, 2008 11:11:26 AM
Interesting that Joshuah Welch was pressured into getting rid of his highlights. Has anyone seen that freak Mike Jeffries that runs A&F?
Posted by: Tintin Malfoy | Sep 4, 2008 11:12:03 AM
"It's a hierarchy based on hotness."
You're right, Josh. Absolutely true. Oh wait... were we only talking about Abercrombie?
Posted by: The Milkman | Sep 4, 2008 11:28:21 AM
So he hates the company and resigned to keep his highlights. Great. So why the hell is he still wearing their t-shirt?
Posted by: Paul R | Sep 4, 2008 11:49:59 AM
Apparently he's qualified to be the GOP's Vice Presidential nominee.
Posted by: John in Manhattan | Sep 4, 2008 12:08:31 PM
Shouldn't that be "... gay former Big Brother contestant..." and not "former gay Big Brother contestant"?
I mean, did he stop being gay too?
Posted by: RP | Sep 4, 2008 12:19:01 PM
Is he sure they didn't have a problem with him because he's fat, stupid and looks like he's actually 40 years old? Was it really just his out-of-style highlights?
I don't know which is lamer -- working at Abercrombie or being upset that you don't work at Abercrombie anymore. Oh yeah, it's being upset that you don't work at Abercrombie anymore.
Posted by: 1999 | Sep 4, 2008 12:40:03 PM
'I need a job where I am appreciated for the work I do, not because I fit into their mold'
Then why the hell is he trying to work for A&F in the first place? He doesn't want to fit into their mold, yet doesn't mind working for a company that only caters to a certain type customer that does.
Posted by: Brian | Sep 4, 2008 12:47:08 PM
Why is everyone dogging on Joshuah Welch? It's a ridiculous policy. They're low paid retail sales clerks, not models. And yes, it helps them promote a racist views of "beauty." Seriously folks, there's enough of this crap in the world. Stop stopping there.
Posted by: Timmeeey | Sep 4, 2008 1:47:43 PM
I doubt if highlights were the reason--he looks too fat to work there.
What a worthless cry-baby twat.
Posted by: DWR | Sep 4, 2008 3:10:25 PM
You know who else does that type of hiring practice? Urban Outfitters.
Yup, I was required to submit a photo in order to apply.
Needless to say, I trashed the application
Posted by: damien | Sep 4, 2008 3:43:26 PM
I don't care that he's gay: reporting on anything having to do with Big Brother undermines the quality of this entire blog.
Posted by: Aaron | Sep 4, 2008 4:13:42 PM
I don't want to be judged on my looks!
I want to be judged on something that matters: my ability to fold clothes!
Posted by: Distingué Traces | Sep 4, 2008 4:26:58 PM
That is why I stopped going in A&F stores in 5 years. Gays who wear screaming tight A&F t-shirts usually have self esteem issues.
Posted by: donsnyc | Sep 4, 2008 5:40:14 PM
I hate this bitch!! He is such a horrible human being!!! Anyone who saw his ass on BB9 knows exactly what im taking about. He makes me sick to my stomach!! Im sure this is just the tip of many many horrible things to come his way for his bad karma
Posted by: ft | Sep 4, 2008 7:02:04 PM
Lots of bitter queens on this story. Can some of you just give him credit for quitting a store with a stupid policy? I know he was pretty outrageous on BB, but I met him through a mutual friend in Dallas, and he couldn't have been nicer. Everyone deserves a second chance.
Posted by: David T | Sep 4, 2008 7:07:06 PM
A) The kid is a good looking, football-type stud. Let's be honest. My local A&F would never fire him, but rather hire him in a heartbeat.
B) A&F's founder, Mike Jeffries, really is GROTESQUE looking (thanks to whoever pointed that out. I'm sure HIS ugliness has morphed A&F into the clan mentality it has.
C) A&F clothes are very high quality, but I only buy their shit without the "A&F" verbage spelled out. That moose logo in tiny format is the biggest I'll accept.
Posted by: Drew | Sep 4, 2008 8:24:45 PM
this is some of the most nugatory shit i've read in a while
Posted by: aron | Sep 4, 2008 9:36:24 PM
I'm a store manager at a Hollister where I live and this guy is really blowing everything out of proportion. First, everyone who works for the company is encouraged to speak to every customer that they come within about 5 feet of. And the whole ordeal with the hair is just a basic policy. Every company has a certain way they want their employees to look. At Disney, for a male, you must be clean shaven and cannot have hair that covers your ear. At A&F you have to have hair that is clean. natural and classic. It has to look like it could have "grown" in whatever style you have. I don't even know who this guy is, but he sounds like he just wanted a reason to be in the news. And what guy even gets highlights anymore?
Posted by: Adam | Sep 4, 2008 11:51:10 PM
if the only asset that you have is being a retail sales clerk at abercrombie for your job than you deserve to be unemployed... Even when i worked for them when I was fifteen i knew how assinine that company was.. at the group interview they told me that "i had the job because i was hot"... no thanks, i'm not in to vapid, bleach blonde wanna bes
Posted by: blue moon | Sep 5, 2008 3:31:37 AM
Josh is incredibly creative and talented. He worked for me on a contract basis for over two years planning theme parties and he designed and executed the remodeling of my bar. I found him indispensable. Anger management issues need to be addressed before he can move on with his life. Josh, are you listening?
Posted by: Johnny Lane | Sep 5, 2008 7:14:13 AM
I have to say that I worked for The Gap for awhile and they are the same way. Everyone they hire is attractive, and one girl who was overweight and liked to dress in man's clothing was phased out by being given reduced hours. One of my managers even told me this! I was the only token 'plus sized' girl in the store at the time I was hired. They also factor in selling skills and personality, but in my experience your appearance plays a big part. I would not recommend them as an employer, mainly because the pay is really shitty unless you majorly ass-kiss a manager!
Posted by: Janine | Sep 5, 2008 7:41:52 AM
I have to say that I worked for The Gap for awhile and they are the same way. Everyone they hire is attractive, and one girl who was overweight and liked to dress in man's clothing was phased out by being given reduced hours. One of my managers even told me this! I was the only token 'plus sized' girl in the store at the time I was hired. They also factor in selling skills and personality, but in my experience your appearance plays a big part. I would not recommend them as an employer, mainly because the pay is really shitty unless you majorly ass-kiss a manager!
Posted by: Janine | Sep 5, 2008 7:43:35 AM
I have to say that I worked for The Gap for awhile and they are the same way. Everyone they hire is attractive, and one girl who was overweight and liked to dress in man's clothing was phased out by being given reduced hours. One of my managers even told me this! I was the only token 'plus sized' girl in the store at the time I was hired. They also factor in selling skills and personality, but in my experience your appearance plays a big part. I would not recommend them as an employer, mainly because the pay is really shitty unless you majorly ass-kiss a manager!
Posted by: Janine | Sep 5, 2008 7:45:06 AM