THE SUPER MODELS

Lately, I’ve been staying up watching "The Super Models " documentary. So far, I’ve finished S1E1 “The Look” and S1E2 “The Fame”—still need to catch the rest. But here are my initial thoughts: I grew up idolizing Linda Evangelista, Christy Turlington, Cindy Crawford, and Naomi Campbell. I mean, how could you not? They’re the fabulous four. Their natural beauty, presence, and one-of-a-kind personalities always captivated me. Legends like them can never be replaced.

Photo by VOGUE.

I had no idea Naomi Campbell was raised without a father. I was in tears watching her break down while speaking so lovingly about Azzedine Alaïa in the documentary The Super Models. I didn’t know she saw him as a father figure and even called him “Papa.” It’s heartbreaking to learn that, early in her career, no one wanted to cast her in fashion shows. Even Elite turned her down—until Alaïa stepped in and told the agency’s owner, “Listen, she is my daughter, so you have to take her on and look after her. I don’t want her to be left all on her own in New York.” Naomi went on to make history as the first Black woman to grace the covers of Time and Vogue France. Azzedine Alaïa passed away in 2017 at age 82 from congestive heart failure. But I genuinely believe he remains her guardian angel. He wasn’t just a designer—he was her hero.

Photo by British VOGUE.

Before diving into Cindy’s backstory, let’s take a moment to appreciate that iconic Pepsi ad from the 1990s. She made everything look effortlessly cool. As a little girl, I was wholly inspired by her—her style, her makeup, her presence. I remember wanting to be just like her. While watching The Super Models documentary, I was shocked by a clip from her 1986 interview on The Oprah Winfrey Show. Cindy sat beside her then-agent, John Casablancas—the founder of Elite Model Management. During the interview, Oprah asked Casablancas, “Did you have to groom her?” and “Did she always have this body?” Then she turned to Cindy and said, “Stand up just a moment,” encouraging the audience to “take a look at her.” As Cindy stood, Oprah commented, “This is what I call a body.” After sitting back down, Cindy clarified that despite what might’ve been implied, she didn’t weigh 100 pounds. Oprah continued, again turning to Casablancas and asking if Cindy had to go through “a training period.” It's shocking to see it now, and honestly, uncomfortable. That kind of objectification would never fly today. And rightly so. It was demeaning and invasive. While attitudes like that sadly still exist, the difference now is that women have a platform, and we can call it out. Loudly. And I support that completely. I can’t help but wonder—did Oprah ever apologize to Cindy for that interview? I hope so. Because Oprah... you’re better than that.

Photo by VANITY FAIR.

Another breathtaking woman who only gets more radiant with age: Christy Turlington. Many might not know that she stepped away from the modeling world to pursue a degree in Comparative Religion and Eastern Philosophy at NYU—a move that only deepened her elegance and depth. I wonder how many people are aware of that? Born in Walnut Creek, California, Christy is the middle of three sisters. Her father was a Pan Am pilot, and her mother, originally from El Salvador, was a flight attendant. She was raised in a Catholic household, which significantly influenced her early life. Christy is also a business partner in the Ayurvedic skincare brand Sundari, a name that comes from Sanskrit, meaning “beauty as an experience and an endeavor, not something to be possessed.” In 2010, she founded Every Mother Counts, a non-profit dedicated to making pregnancy and childbirth safe for every mother worldwide. The organization raises awareness, mobilizes action, and funds programs that support maternal health worldwide. A dedicated yogi—specifically a Jivamukti practitioner—Christy continues to align her life with mindfulness and purpose. She collaborates with the international humanitarian group CARE, serves as an ambassador for (RED), and remains a vocal advocate for maternal health. She’s also a mother of two and has been married to actor and filmmaker Edward Burns for over 20 years. Talk about a low-key, solid relationship. Honestly, I think that’s how love should be—quiet, grounded, and real. But hey, that’s just me. They first met in the '90s and were engaged within months. A whirlwind romance that stood the test of time.

Linda Evangelista—forever the chameleon—is not only known for her transformative beauty but also her deep love for fashion. Fun fact: her birthday is May 10th, and mine is May 11th. Yes, we’re both Tauruses—the best zodiac sign, if you ask me. Born in Ontario, Canada, to working-class Italian immigrants, Linda became one of the most iconic and influential supermodels of all time. She’s appeared on over 700 magazine covers—a legacy that few can touch. Like all of us, Linda has faced her share of struggles. In a powerful PEOPLE interview, she opened up about a cosmetic procedure that left her disfigured. After undergoing seven CoolSculpting treatments, she developed a rare condition called paradoxical adipose hyperplasia (PAH). “I hope I can shed some of the shame and help other people who are in the same situation as me,” she said bravely. To dive deeper into her story—and those of the other runway legends—don’t miss The Super Models docuseries on Apple TV+. It’s a powerful look back at the iconic women who defined the '90s.

Jamie