Modeling Agency Founder Maintained Decades-Long Friendship With Jeffrey Epstein
Newly released documents from the U.S. Department of Justice reveal that Faith Kates, the founder of Next Management modeling agency, maintained a much deeper relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein than previously known. The Guardian investigation uncovered emails showing Kates secretly took business advice from Epstein, discussed multimillion-dollar loans, and continued supporting him even after his 2009 conviction for soliciting a child for prostitution.
Agency Distances Itself From Founder
Next Management, which has represented high-profile models including Alexa Chung, Milla Jovovich, and Billie Eilish, has announced it is working to end all legal ties with its founder. A company spokesperson stated that Kates' relationship with Epstein "was completely and absolutely unknown to Next management and its top executives." The agency emphasized it had conducted operations "with integrity and with the highest regard for the safety of our models."
Kates stepped down from her position at Next Management in November 2023, just weeks before the first major Epstein files were released, citing her intention to focus on charity work. She had founded and led the agency for decades before her quiet departure.
Models Introduced to Epstein
The investigation reveals that across their nearly 40-year relationship, Kates connected multiple models from her agency with Epstein. Former Next model Stacey Williams recalled being introduced to Epstein at a dinner organized by Kates in 1992. Williams later developed a relationship with Epstein, which she described as consensual but containing disturbing elements.
Another model, Barbara Stoyanoff, told the Guardian that Kates suggested Epstein could help her become a Victoria's Secret Angel and arranged a meeting at Next's New York offices. Stoyanoff described Epstein asking her to lift her dress to examine her body, which she initially thought was normal for lingerie modeling but later found disturbing when she learned more about Epstein.
A spokesperson for Kates denied this meeting ever occurred, calling the account "not credible on its face." The spokesperson added that Kates "never put a model in harm's way by sending them to inappropriate go-sees or meetings" and described Epstein as "a master manipulator."
Emotional Support and Business Advice
The documents contain more than 5,000 mentions of Kates, with frequent email exchanges between her and Epstein. After Epstein's 2009 conviction, Kates wrote to him: "I am and will always be your friend... Unconditionally... will always be there for you." She continued sending friendly emails weeks before his 2019 arrest.
Beyond emotional support, Epstein provided business advice to Kates regarding Next Management. Emails from 2015 show Epstein offering Kates a $6 million loan to buy out the agency's co-owners, Golden Gate Capital, with instructions that his involvement remain secret. A spokesperson for Kates stated that none of Epstein's proposed loans materialized and that "Epstein never had a financial interest in Next."
Golden Gate Capital confirmed that Epstein's identity and advisory role were "proactively concealed" from their team during the sale process.
Continued Connections After Conviction
Even after Epstein's 2009 conviction, Kates continued connecting him with models. In 2011, Epstein emailed Kates asking for "any aspiring actresses" ahead of a dinner with filmmaker Woody Allen. That same year, Epstein's assistant requested "names of girls" from Kates for a gala event.
In 2017, Kates sent Epstein measurements and photographs of a former Next model who is now an established internet personality, describing her as "stunning." Another model still represented by Next discovered her name in the Epstein files and told the Guardian she felt "shocked and grossed out" by the revelation.
Financial Discussions and Gifts
The emails reveal discussions about significant financial transactions between Kates and Epstein. In 2010, they discussed purchasing a $5 million property together for Kates and her family. Kates appeared desperate for the deal to proceed, writing: "I cant loose this not for me for my kids."
Epstein also made donations to charities Kates supported, including $50,000 to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund, where Kates served as president. He gave her a Prada handbag for her birthday and a $12,000 stove for Christmas during this period.
When women began coming forward with allegations against Epstein, Kates suggested they were motivated by money, writing: "Money motivates people." She advised Epstein to "lay very low" and donate to projects that would "do good for others" to generate positive publicity.
Agency's Response and Apology
Following the revelations, Next Management issued a statement saying: "Ms Kates' longstanding and highly personal relationship with Epstein were unknown to Next Management until recent disclosures of the Epstein documents. Her actions were neither authorised by nor known to Next, and were at all times her own."
The spokesperson added: "To the extent Ms Kates' independent actions impacted or involved Next clients and employees, we are deeply sorry."
None of the models interviewed by the Guardian alleged they were abused by Epstein, but several expressed discomfort and concern about their names appearing in his files and the nature of their introductions to him through their agency's founder.
