Upon returning home, Barnes received an e-mail from a colleague containing the photo (that evidently got posted online in the meantime) along with a snide comment "If you want 'em to take you seriously, maybe wear more than a g-string?".
While entering the opera house, an older gentleman standing outside couldn't resist a quick passing glance at young Zoe's backside in her tight-fitting dress - a moment captured by one of the photographers snapping away.
The occurrence that set in motion a chain of events, which would eventually lead to her professional break, came about quite unexpectedly one night at the opera in early January 2013 where she was on a date with a congressional staffer. political establishment, she had been hoping to obtain information that would lead to bigger stories and better professional prospects.ĭeeply dissatisfied about being stuck on Herald's metropolitan pages, filing stories such as the local fireman marrying the meter maid and new jogging paths in Rock Creek Park, Barnes was constantly on the lookout for an opportunity that could propel her into the realm of journalistic credibility.
Directing all her charm, sexuality, youthful energy, and social skills towards securing journalistic sources in the D.C. Nervous, young, ambitious, with some naiveté, upstart reporter Barnes was desperate to advance her stature within the Washington Herald newsroom.