Naomi Campbell - Call her what you like, but it’s Naomi Campbell who put the super into supermodel, so it’s no small wonder that she continues to grab the.
Born in Streatham, southwest London the 30-something year-old model is still among the most sought-after bodies in the industry. She was spotted by a scout aged 16 hanging around after school in London’s Covent Garden, went for a casting and never looked back.
“I never planned to be a model – I was just in the right place at the right time,” she told interviewers earlier this year. “ I’ve always wanted to break barriers and I think I’ve been able to accomplish that. I like what I do.”
Campbell was among the pack of top models of whom in the 90s it was thought wouldn’t get out of bed for less than $10,000 – although that statement was attributed to Linda Evangelista.
Over the years Campbell has been portrayed in the media as a bit of an ‘enfant terrible’. Exposés involving former Campbell employees like personal assistants and secretaries suggests she has a ferocious temper and throws the occasional tantrum. But anyone who has earned millions from an image that has not only graced the cover of Vogue umpteen times and is every fashion designers catwalk dream is allowed the occasional off day.
Columnist Peter McKay wrote of Campbell: “perhaps Naomi has what are now called anger management issues, but if she is as violent as she’s reputed to be, surely a loving husband would absorb much of the punishment…there might be a lengthy set of queue of suitors if Naomi said she sought an understanding spouse able to soak up the odd smack or two.”
Campbell has been wined, dined and dated by some of the top names in business and entertainment, and stepped out with Hollywood legend Robert DeNiro for quite some time in the 90s.
The jury is out over her exact age, although May 22 1970 has been recorded. Still, at 30-something Naomi Campbell remains one of the icons of the fashion industry.