How UK Cosmo got it so, so wrong.

I don't read these types of magazines often. I bought this copy because, for some reason, the local shop only seems to stock Vanity Fair once in a blue moon. Most of these magazines are pretty much the same. They all have the same advice on losing weight, getting a man, having good S.E.X. and pseudo-journalism. Inevitably the latter tends towards sex work or prostitution.

On the surface this month's Cosmo article about students working as escorts seems straightforward. Students are turning to hooking to pay off debts or make some quick and easy cash during tough times. Fair enough right? And alarming of you're in certain demographics (or are unaware of what those escort service flyers mean.) But underneath the 'investigative' reporting Lisa Brinkworth had her story already written.
[Link NSFW] Anika Mae is one of two escorts 'featured' in her article. Her perspective on what happened when meeting Lisa Brinkworth is quite different from the article's tone. She's corrected many factual errors.

So, here are my corrections:

"Minutes later, without embarrassment, she whips off her coat and stands in front of me in a skimpy Wonder Woman leotard teamed with black fishnet stockings and red baseball boots, and the rucksack is unzipped to reveal a baffling array of sex toys."

I don't have a Wonder Woman outfit, sorry. Also, did I mention that we were in a café? There was no leotard.

My outfit was eyecatching though, it was the one I'd worn to Erotica the day before. I wanted to dress up and thought my Supergirl outfit would stand out more there than some corset getup. Sadly I don't have a picture to show you, but it's made up of a Super baby-tee, red mini skirt, blue fishnet hold-ups and red Converse hi-tops.

As for the sex toys, we went to a fetish club after Erotica so I might have had some with me, but my backpack was mostly full of my sleeping bag so there wasn't space for a baffling array of them.

She should have seen what I wore to the fetish club.

"After we've talked for hours, I agree to pay her £800 for her services for a night, plus drinks and dinner."

We talked for about half an hour. Dinner plus overnight would be £850.

"On our first meeting"

... which was also our only meeting.

"I'll carry on until I stop enjoying it," she says. And from the look on her face, that won't be any time soon."

For all she knew I could have been gurning while I said that. She asked me on the phone.

Simple artistic license? Excusable exaggerations? I realize we all have to take much of what's reported with a grain of salt. But this is a timely reminder that many journalists, regardless of what their subjects actually say, will mold anything to fit their thesis.

Edit: Link edited as per request.