Naomi Campbell facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Naomi Campbell
Campbell at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival
Born	Naomi Elaine Campbell (1970-05-22) 22 May 1970 (age 55) London, England
Alma mater	Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts
Occupation	Model actress media personality
Years active	1978–present
Children	2
Modelling information
Height	5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Hair colour	Black
Eye colour	Dark brown
Agency	Women Management (New York, Milan) ZZO (Paris) Perspective Management (London) Priscilla's Model Management (Sydney)
Musical career
Genres	R&B
Instruments	Vocals
Labels	Epic

Naomi Elaine Campbell (born 22 May 1970) is a famous British fashion model. She started her career at just eight years old. Naomi became one of the most well-known models of her time, often called a "supermodel." She was the first black woman to appear on the covers of important magazines like Time and Vogue France.

Besides modeling, Naomi has also tried other things. She released an R&B music album and acted in several movies and TV shows. She even hosted a reality TV show about modeling called The Face. Naomi also does a lot of charity work to help different causes.

Early Life and Education

Naomi Elaine Campbell was born in Lambeth, South London, England, on 22 May 1970. Her mother, Valerie Morris, was a dancer from Jamaica. Naomi has never met her biological father. She took the last name "Campbell" from her mother's second marriage. She also has a half-brother named Pierre, who was born in 1985. Naomi's family background includes both Afro-Jamaican and Chinese-Jamaican heritage. Her Chinese roots come from her grandmother.

Naomi spent her early childhood in Rome, Italy, where her mother worked as a modern dancer. When they returned to London, Naomi lived with relatives while her mother traveled for her dance group. From the age of three, Naomi went to the Barbara Speake Stage School. When she was 10, she was accepted into the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts, where she studied ballet. She also attended Dunraven School.

A Career in Fashion

Starting Out (1978–1986)

Naomi Campbell's first public appearance was in 1978, at age eight. She was in the music video for Bob Marley's song "Is This Love". She also tap-danced in music videos for Culture Club in 1983 and 1984. Naomi studied dance for many years and originally wanted to be a dancer.

In 1986, while still a student, Naomi was discovered by a modeling agent named Beth Boldt. This happened while Naomi was shopping in Covent Garden. Her modeling career quickly took off. In April, just before her 16th birthday, she appeared on the cover of British Elle magazine.

Becoming a Supermodel (1987–1997)

Over the next few years, Naomi walked the runway for famous designers like Gianni Versace and Azzedine Alaïa. She also posed for well-known photographers. By the late 1980s, Naomi, along with Christy Turlington and Linda Evangelista, formed a group called the "Trinity." They were the most famous and in-demand models of their generation.

Naomi faced racial discrimination in the fashion world. Her white friends, Christy Turlington and Linda Evangelista, supported her. They even told designers like Dolce & Gabbana, "If you don't use Naomi, you don't get us." In December 1987, Naomi became the first black model on the cover of British Vogue since 1966. In August 1988, she was the first black model on the cover of French Vogue. This happened after designer Yves St. Laurent said he would stop advertising if they didn't feature Naomi. The next year, she appeared on the cover of American Vogue. This was a big deal because it was the first time a black model was on the September issue, which is usually the most important one.

In January 1990, Naomi was called "the reigning megamodel of them all" by Interview magazine. She appeared on a British Vogue cover with Turlington, Evangelista, Cindy Crawford, and Tatjana Patitz. This group then starred in George Michael's music video for "Freedom! '90". By then, Naomi, Turlington, Evangelista, Crawford, and Claudia Schiffer were known as "supermodels." With Kate Moss, they were called the "Big Six."

In March 1991, Naomi walked the runway for Versace with Turlington, Evangelista, and Crawford, singing along to "Freedom! '90." Later that year, she played Michael Jackson's love interest in his music video "In the Closet". In April 1992, she posed with other models for the 100th-anniversary cover of American Vogue.

In 1993, Naomi was on the cover of American Vogue twice. She also famously fell on the Vivienne Westwood runway in very tall platform shoes. These shoes were later shown in a museum. Despite her success, her modeling agency, Elite Model Management, ended her contract.

In 1995, Naomi walked in the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show and did so seven times in total. Her last show for them was in 2005. She once said they "could not afford me" to be a full-time Angel. In 1997, Naomi was the first black woman to open a Prada fashion show.

Campbell at Bill Clinton's inauguration party in 1997

In the mid-1990s, Naomi started exploring other parts of the entertainment world. Her novel Swan, about a supermodel, was released in 1994. She also released her music album Baby Woman in 1994. The album was most successful in Japan. Naomi also had small roles in movies like Miami Rhapsody and Girl 6, and a TV show called New York Undercover.

Continuing Success (1998–Present)

Even after Time magazine said the "supermodel era" was over in 1998, Naomi continued to model. She appeared on runways and in many print ads. In 1999, she signed her first beauty contract and launched her own line of perfumes. She also hosted the 50th Miss Universe pageant in 2001.

Campbell on the catwalk for Peter Som in 2007

In 2007, she walked the runway for Dior's 60th-anniversary show. In July 2008, she appeared with other black models on a special all-black issue cover of Italian Vogue. In September of that year, Naomi reunited with other supermodels for a Vanity Fair article about their legacy.

In 2011, Naomi was on the cover of Essence magazine. She also starred in Duran Duran's music video for "Girl Panic!". In 2012, Naomi performed with Kate Moss and other supermodels at the closing ceremony of the 2012 Olympic Games. They wore amazing British fashion designs. Naomi wore a dress by Alexander McQueen.

Campbell walking the catwalk at the Diane von Fürstenberg Spring/Summer 2014 show at New York Fashion Week, September 2013

In 2013, Naomi became involved in reality television. She was a coach and judge on the modeling competition show The Face in the U.S., the UK, and Australia. In 2014, Glamour Magazine named her TV Personality of the Year. She also appeared in campaigns for Burberry and Agent Provocateur.

In 2015, Naomi had a recurring role as Camilla Marks in the TV drama Empire. She also appeared in American Horror Story: Hotel. In 2016, she was cast as Rose Crane in the TV drama Star (TV series). In September 2017, Naomi appeared in Versace's Spring/Summer 2018 show, celebrating the late Gianni Versace. In June 2018, she received the Fashion Icon award from the Council of Fashion Designers of America. In 2019, Naomi got her first beauty contract with NARS Cosmetics.

In spring 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Naomi started her own web series on YouTube called No Filter with Naomi. She talks with various guests, including other models and designers. In January 2021, Naomi was named a tourism ambassador for Kenya. In July 2022, she received an honorary doctorate from UCA for her impact on global fashion.

In August 2023, Naomi was featured in the Victoria's Secret Icon Collection campaign. She also launched a new fashion collaboration with PrettyLittleThing during New York Fashion Week. Naomi is featured in a 2023 Apple TV+ docuseries called The Super Models, alongside Cindy Crawford, Christy Turlington, and Linda Evangelista.

Vivienne Westwood designed shoes worn by Campbell on display at an exhibition in Sheffield, England

In June 2024, the Victoria and Albert Museum in London opened a special exhibition called "Naomi: In Fashion." It shows her philanthropic work and activism, along with 100 outfits she has worn.

Naomi Campbell has walked the runways and appeared in advertising campaigns for many top fashion brands around the world.

Giving Back and Making a Difference

Fighting for Fairness

Even though Naomi was one of the most famous black models, she didn't get as many advertising jobs as her white colleagues. She didn't sign a cosmetics contract until 1999. In 1991, she said, "I may be considered one of the top models in the world, but in no way do I make the same money as any of them." Throughout her career, Naomi has spoken out against racial bias in the fashion industry. She said in 1997, "There is prejudice. It is a problem."

A decade later, she again spoke about discrimination. She said, "The American president may be black, but as a black woman, I am still an exception in this business. I always have to work harder to be treated equally." In 2013, Naomi joined other black models, Iman and Bethann Hardison, to form a group called "Diversity Coalition." They wrote an open letter to fashion leaders, pointing out designers who used very few or no models of color in their shows. They called this a "racist act."

Campbell at the 2008 Cannes Film Festival

Charity Work

Naomi Campbell is involved with many charitable causes. She supports the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund. For this, she organized a benefit Versace fashion show in 1998 at Nelson Mandela's home in South Africa. This show was featured in a documentary. Naomi's mother battled breast cancer, so Naomi also supports Breakthrough Breast Cancer. She appeared in campaigns for their fundraising and opened a research unit in 2009.

In 2005, Naomi started the charity We Love Brazil. This group helps raise money to fight poverty in Brazil by selling fabrics made by local women.

That same year, Naomi founded Fashion for Relief. This charity has organized fashion shows to raise money for victims of disasters. These include Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the Mumbai terrorist attacks in 2008, the Haiti earthquake in 2010, the Japan earthquake in 2011, and the Syrian refugee crisis in 2017. By 2011, Fashion For Relief had reportedly raised £4.5 million. In 2018, Naomi held another Relief charity gala.

Waxwork of Campbell at Madame Tussauds, London

In November 2010, Naomi and her partner helped organize a charity event to help tigers in Russia. In 2012, Fashion for Relief worked with YOOX China and designers to create T-shirts to raise funds. Since 2007, Naomi has been the honorary president of Athla Onlus, an Italian organization that helps young people with learning disabilities. In 2009, Naomi became a goodwill ambassador for the White Ribbon Alliance for Safe Motherhood. She has worked with them to promote maternal health.

Naomi has been recognized for her charity work. In 2007, she was named an ambassador of Rio de Janeiro for her efforts to fight poverty in Brazil. In 2009, she received an award from Trinity College for her charity and professional work. In 2010, she received an "Outstanding Contribution" award from British Elle for her work with the White Ribbon Alliance. In 2016, amfAR honored Naomi for her 31 years of work with their foundation to fund AIDS research.

In February 2021, Naomi signed an open letter about gay rights in Ghana. In July 2021, Naomi spoke out against racist attacks on black players for the England national football team after the UEFA Euro 2020 final. She also wrote an open letter to former South African president Jacob Zuma, condemning the riots that happened in the country. In 2023, Naomi received the La Moda Veste la Pace Award in Rome for her work.

Personal Life

Family and Relationships

Naomi Campbell has never met her biological father. She considers French fashion designer Azzedine Alaïa as her "papa." She also looks up to record producers Quincy Jones and Chris Blackwell as father figures. Former South African president Nelson Mandela called Naomi his "honorary granddaughter." She first met Mandela in 1994 and has supported his political campaigns and humanitarian causes over the years.

Naomi has had several relationships. In 1993, she was engaged to U2 bassist Adam Clayton. She also dated Leonardo DiCaprio in 1995. From 1998 to 2003, she was in a relationship with Formula One racing head Flavio Briatore, and they were engaged. She also had relationships with Robert De Niro and Vladislav Doronin.

In May 2021, Naomi announced the birth of her daughter. In February 2022, she confirmed that her daughter was not adopted. In June 2023, she announced the birth of her son.

Blood Diamond Testimony

In August 2010, Naomi Campbell gave evidence in a trial against former Liberian president Charles Taylor. She was asked about "blood diamonds" she received from Taylor in South Africa in 1997. Naomi said the diamonds were a gift from unknown men she thought were sent by Taylor. She later gave the diamonds to Jeremy Ractliffe, who was then the director of the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund, as a donation.

Selected Film and Television Appearances

Films

Television

Music Videos

Fragrances

Since 1999, Naomi Campbell has released many perfumes for women under her own brand.

Music Albums and Singles

Albums

• 1994: Baby Woman

Singles

• 1991: "Cool as Ice (Everybody Get Loose)" (Vanilla Ice featuring Naomi Campbell)
• 1994: "Love and Tears"
• 1996: "La La La Love Song" (Toshinobu Kubota featuring Naomi Campbell)

Images for kids

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  Campbell at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival

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  Campbell at Bill Clinton's inauguration party in 1997

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  Campbell on the catwalk for Peter Som in 2007

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  Campbell walking the catwalk at the Diane von Fürstenberg Spring/Summer 2014 show at New York Fashion Week, September 2013

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  Vivienne Westwood designed shoes worn by Campbell on display at an exhibition in Sheffield, England

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  Campbell at the 2008 Cannes Film Festival

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  Waxwork of Campbell at Madame Tussauds, London