Published 15 Dec, 2021 04:30pm

Arslan Naseer says actors should not be called 'showstoppers'; Sajal Aly and Haroon Shahid agree

The annual Pantene Hum Bridal Couture Week (BCW) is a glamorous affair and though it's become something of a norm to have celebrities walk the ramp alongside models at fashion shows, the 'showstopper' label is not sitting right with some people. YouTuber Arslan Naseer is one such person and his opinion has the support of actors Sajal Aly and Haroon Shahid.

Naseer walked the ramp for designer Humayun Alamgir. He said he enjoyed the modelling experience but deemed it improper to refer to actors as showstoppers when the Pakistani modelling industry is already brimming with talent. "Maybe consider calling our walks 'guest appearances' or 'cameo' next time," he suggested.

Apparently he's not the only one who thinks so — actors Aly and Shahid commented under his Instagram post in agreement.

The 19th edition of the BCW was a three-day event held in Lahore from December 10 to 12. Several actors and singers walked the ramp alongside the models.

Yumna Zaidi walked for Asifa Nabeel, Mawra Hocane for Rici Melion East’s Collection and Minal Khan for FAS Design Studio and they were just some of the big names that wowed the audience. Celebrities who walk the ramp are often called 'showstoppers' and every brand seemed to have appointed one (or more).

Ali Rehman Khan and Hania Aamir for UMSHA by Uzma Babar

Affan Waheed, Arslan Naseer and Danyal Zafar for Humayun Alamgir

Rosie Gabrielle for Hiba Asim

Kubra Khan for Arooj Aziz

Sarah Khan for Fatima Salamat

There were also several eye-catching moments from these 'showstoppers', such as Alizeh Shah being scooped by Shazia Manzoor after she slipped and Junaid Khan lifting Mansha Pasha up on the runway.

Singers such as Farhan Saeed and the Jaswal brothers also performed at the show.

The fashion show relied heavily on the celebrities to add glamour to the event and literally be 'showstoppers' but Naseer's point stands.

Professional runway models work very hard to get a chance to walk the ramp and for the 'showstopper' label to then be slapped on the actors or guests that are just making an appearance to add some razzle dazzle to the name and expand viewership — it seems like an insult to the models. The guests' addition is exciting and directs more people towards both the show and the designer outfits but it seems only right for the people who’ve devoted their lives to the career to be in the spotlight.

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