I actually noticed that, too. That kind of disclaimer also shows up in ads for weight loss, herpes medication, I think I have even seen it on things for parenting classes. I remember wondering why anyone would think people in an ad actually took a certain parenting class.

But I do remember a case a few years ago when a model had her photos used in a magazine with a story about women who were "sluts." She said she didn't know they would be used for that, she was harrassed for it, ended up attempting suicide, and then sued the magazine. She lost, I think, but maybe now they just try to be more careful about it.

I just noticed that too, and thought it was strange. I think I've seen a few TV ads with some similar disclaimer (only much smaller), but not web ads.

The HIV ad with a woman and child has it too, so I don't think it's anything to do with it being a "gay" disease.

Fascinating point!

My guess is the models or modelling agencies insist on that so that no one will think they raelly have HIV. Do you remember the episode of Friends where Joey has some modeling shots taken only to realize later that they've put his picture on billboards all around new york that say something about him having Syphilis or something? They show some girl flirting with him and then bailing when she sees the poster. I'm sure the models want to avoid any reactions like that.

Googling the phrase brings up (aside from this post), websites about anemia, a pregnancy center, and hepatitis, so it may just be standard wording.

I see this on all STD and drug rehab ads, regardless of the genders or anything. I am sure it's to protect the model from repercussions, either by having sexual partners reject them or by facing discrimination from others they might encounter.

It might also protect them from complaints that their models don't accurately portray the group they are representing, particularly with the drug rehab ads with beautiful, healthy models who are supposedly using cocaine or meth.

I don't think it has to do with protecting them from being called gay. Maybe, but they do use it regardless of the genders.

I'm not sure it's exactly the same but there is an ad in New York's subway for a law firm that claims it has gotten loads of payouts for clients in whatever field it is, I forget exactly which. Such ads usually have a picture of some of the firm's lawyers. But in this one, there is a picture of a benevolent-looking white man aged about 60, with a small caption underneath, "John Roland, compensated spokesman." My husband theorized this may be because the partners in the firm are black or women or something and they don't think people will trust them if they haven't got at least one older white man as the face of the firm. We agree it is a real shame if that is the case. We're not sure what on earth "compensated spokesman" means though!

Try an online search for "models used for illustrative purposes only." and see what comes up. That exact wording appears quite a bit nowadays in disclaimers. It appears to be sites mostly related to health matters, pregnancy, or abuse.

Perhaps it does have to do with possible stigma to the paid models or those from stock photos, i.e., THIS girl is not actually pregnant, or THIS woman is not actually being presented as a survivor of sexual abuse, in the case they are recognized online; since we are finding more cases of people being recognized in real life from photos and videos online (and harassed as a result).

Other disclaimers I am seeing like on television is actual physicians appearing in commercials as spokespeople for or actual users of a medication, with a disclaimer, that "Dr. xxxxx" is being paid to appear. I am also seeing explicit disclaimers in other ads that the people appearing in white coats speaking with authority are in fact, non-physician actors. I am seeing the same of attorneys or non-legal representative spokespersons, including "I'm Erin Brockovich. The REAL Erin Brockovich.