7 Models Open Up About Discrimination and Tokenism | The Models | Vogue

In the final episode of Vogue’s four-part docuseries, “The Models,” some of fashion’s most recognizable faces open up about their experiences with discrimination and tokenism.
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[@goldenb2395]

‘how tf you gonna do my hair if you’re bald?’ HAHAHA SHE AINT LYING😭

[@layla9377]

Golden B you can be a great hairstylist even if u are bald lol

[@LOVEAapjes]

Layla yeah it was a dumb thing to say. She’s discriminating in a video against discrimination

[@erikaayala8759]

Lollll 😂😂😂

[@pamcakesplease]

Golden B 😹😹

[@alansmith808]

She's the reason why people think models should not talk. Just stupid.

[@lorddouglas8454]

"we are talking in Dinka, full on Dinka!" I absolutely love that!

[@sehrishrazvi4732]

She is giving me such good vibes! Lots of love to her! ♥

[@juancabezascaceres]

Alek Wek is pure life. She's an amazing model, has such a luminous personality, she's an icon and an example for lots african girl. She deserves the world

[@ajohonly3721]

Im so proud of my Dinka girls doing great out there hope to run into Alek one day at fashion week somewhere around the world....🤞

[@ksmith9873]

That made me heart so happy 🥺❤️

[@rodval2322]

Alek is a queen, she always looks happy and she's still booking jobs after 20 years in the industry, aside being one of the most important models of the 2000's, true top model power there.

[@mwahhha226]

It’s sad how they pit black women against each other in that industry. Thousands of white models are accepted but when two black models succeed it immediately becomes a competition and rivalry

[@nzingalou7556]

Chloe Alexa are we really gonna ignore how black women are systematically put against each other in the modeling industry to bring up something irrelevant?

[@paulsmith3128]

Chloe Alexa Your comment makes absolutely no sense. Are dark skinned black women in charge of the fashion industry and product placement to consumers in fashion magazines and fashion houses model selection process??

[@paulsmith3128]

Chloe Alexa Your comment makes absolutely no sense. Are dark skinned black women in charge of the fashion industry and product placement to consumers in fashion magazines and fashion houses model selection process??

[@saeon4427]

@@chloealexa5380 no we don't , society discriminates against one type of black stop lying

[@teatm2333]

Chloe Alexa Black women did not invent colorism.

[@princesslunakusuma8322]

vogue doing this series just for the trendy but they still doing what they normally doing in their magazine

[@PrissyLadyVenom]

princess Luna kusuma yup

[@jesseward568]

Poor models and their great undervalued importance. Let us all listen in on them and take heed to their wise words

[@Alexandra-ol1cs]

Yeah but of all the mainstream mags vogue is the only one getting close to doing this right, walking the line between putting out real, diverse representation vs. trending content. But these models have real struggles. The fashion industry isn't going anywhere, so the modeling industry isn't going anywhere, so why not try to change it for the better?

[@yulianaandreaam]

You are totally right.

[@kc87557]

At least they're doing something

[@alextroy9202]

DARK SKIN BLACK WOMEN ARE BEAUTIFUL!!

[@loveinamorgan8632]

PERRIOODDT

[@ak-tn1ed]

Adut Akech is one of the most beautiful ive seen

[@Yo-n2751]

Every girl is beautiful.

[@rachel-cf1my]

PERRRIOOODDTT.

[@thatskai3070]

No Username they know

[@parisz]

...meanwhile Kendall’s taking about her “revelation” with acne 😂 smdh

[@bs4e]

Hahaha

[@billybills8496]

True😂😂

[@pyw3502]

How’s the model 41 years ??!!? She looks like she’s in her 20s

[@mvp4lyfateverything]

py w she’s black that’s how

[@gottaluvpink89]

Baby that black don’t crack!

[@adanklord4103]

@@mvp4lyfateverything she literally looks old though lol. i wasn't looking at the age numbers and was confused which of the models was 41 and young looking. At first glance I knew she was old.

[@misstea-uu3nj]

a dank lord shoe does not old especially compared to people of the same age and even younger.

[@Nanakesewaa]

Ikr

[@WinterOnASolstice]

It’s sad how these things are perpetuated subtly through nepotism. Notice that the Kendall Jenner, Gigi Hadid, and Kia Gerber types are the top faces of modeling. You can’t really expect much growth and change in the industry when these are the faces 🤷‍♀️

[@paulsmith3128]

WinterOnASolstice You can't expect much growth or change when the consumers of these products are conscientiously ignorant and dumb. The stories have always been there... and nothing has changed. The conscientiously ignorant and those who "don't see colour" use this to legitimise black and poc "tales of woe" condescendingly. Then everyone can pretend to be "woke" and supportive because that which is obvious cannot be denied seeing as the biggest brand to perpetuate tokenism, nepotism and product racism is now "baring all". Sheep will be sheep

[@DSHT88]

There are the faces because they got name recognition outside fashion. Their name recognition is what the industry uses for exposure.

[@brosef5033]

Tbf they are all stunning model material anyways

[@dyneashaalexander6761]

I will be the next face of modeling 🧘🏽‍♀️

[@asprilladt]

I mean it's 2019 and people are getting smarter to know that representation does matter. So screw those companies who still running old rules. It'll be their loss sooner or later.

[@sitrustree2716]

Well I mean yes, but that idea could also potentially hurt. What if there were people of the Asian race in a show, and only a few people of Latina race entered. With this hard idea in mind it means that if more people of the Asian race wanted to apply, and even were more qualified to have the job, the person of the Latina race would still get job, even if they were less deserving.

[@asprilladt]

@@sitrustree2716 yes I understand your point that it is possible to twist the conditions. Where the majority becomes the minority, and vice versa. But representation doesn't mean you always have to dominate it.

[@manoushb5699]

I think that social media opened the door for diversity because people were able to comment directly under the pictures and speak up about the lack of representation. It's weird that Vogue are doing those videos when they were a major actor on this issue. I remember the era when it was basically only white models and actresses on the covers. And it hasn't changed much to this day. For instance, a black girl has to be Beyonce, Lupita or Serena Williams to be featured on the cover so achieve way more than all the white starlets and insta girls that received the same honor. I can't wait to see Viola davis, taraji p henson, Kerry washington, Tracee ellis ross, Sandra oh on the cover. Some suggestions for you, Vogue

[@alponca5943]

For one, the established magazines need not be still used and think as the bibles of fashion and style!

[@Thiabeautyworld1andonly1]

Well said!!

[@soleil4418]

Alek Wek is a legend.

[@jujubean9598]

A LEGEEEEEEEEND!!!

[@rebeccamorris3955]

Yes. I remember her as a main model in ebony mag

[@unknownusername5111]

Ughhhhhhh an ICON. Remember her ripping off a blond wig on the runway??? Legendary.

[@strawberriesncandii]

She sure is. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@lisangelblack9070]

Love her sweet face.

[@An-eb8uk]

The legend ALEK WEK! Tokenism is very real, a new age marketing strategy.

[@sbu59]

Bethann Hardison, Iman, and Naomi Campbell opened the dialogue and fought the fight for diversity. I'm glad the industry is now opening up.

[@adeled8833]

Sibusiso Mkize dude, she looked like an angel. Nobody is having problems with including good looking people in the modeling sector. Look at insta models on the runway. The girls in this footage actually look like potatos, even I feel that I can compete with them easily. Models do lots of effort to get a competitive advantage, do plastic surgery and stuff. This is an art. And crying for acknowledgement when you cannot match the level makes modeling shallow. Quality is changed to quantity

[@kayfay2535]

Alaia helped a lot of them out too.

[@vg7735]

Naomi Campbell treated Tyra Banks like crap probably because she worried about losing her job to Tyra.

[@visualbeauty3427]

@@adeled8833 kinda pissed me off

[@DavidJMonk]

It’s upsetting and disheartening that the fashion industry wasn’t built on the principle of diversity. I’m happy to see the changes though.

[@DavidJMonk]

VSfan88 I respect your opinion, but what’s “appealing” to one may not be appealing to others. Having one kind of model/“poster child represent a brand is not an accurate depiction of the society we live in. ❤️

[@nicoleonlysometimes824]

Seger just because a lot of americans/ europeans are white doesn’t mean that there isn’t a large amount of poc in america and europe

[@brendanmorin9935]

MarMar LikesBunnies In the bast when vogue was created, the majority of their audience was white. But as the world diversifies and poc get more representation, the modeling industry followed suit

[@lynninfinite]

It’s systemic and socioeconomic racism that caters to the wealthy white.

[@tekkieman]

If you look at who is supporting the luxury fashion market, it’s Asia. Period. Having lived in China and Vietnam, I can tell you the people there value and identify with thin whites and thin Asians. It might not feel good to hear, but it’s true. All this talk about diversity is western / American centric... and most in Asia couldn’t care less about these models “feelings”. Sorry.

[@Chanelboateng]

I loved this video, its interesting Vogue is taking a new approach and doing more 'real' content when I feel Vogue were the number 1 ones who discriminated in the fashion industry like crazy!

[@avril962]

Please subtitles in Spanish...

[@milliejamiesonlol368]

0:48 curly hair is stunning !!!

[@billybills8496]

She is

[@vg7735]

Yes, that was weird. Unless they wanted consistency among the models...for some shows they would...that is weird that they would want her to straighten her hair. Maybe it was to make styling it easier also.

[@yelenasslut8162]

@@vg7735 probably because they didn’t knew how to style it wich is unprofessional

[@walkingtalkingdread]

I love these models for sharing their stories. It’s inspiring, to see that they’ve overcome everything and they have made it

[@alyssat2193]

Victoria Heffly yessssss 💯

[@TheeHeadTurnerTV]

Alek Wek is a OG & a pioneer 🤩

[@ohthechitchat]

The south Indian model was scouted at 25 that is a difference in itself they usually say that is too old to think of modellng.

[@asprilladt]

Those glory days of Chanel and Jourdan ❤❤

[@dakotac180]

I love these. Y'all see Halima on Sports Illustrated?! So lovely.

[@Ifailedeverything]

The purpose of a model is to show what clothes look like on a body as opposed to a person. It’s helpful to regular and plus size people to see what those clothes look like on our body type too. I’m glad plus and curvy models are becoming more mainstream. Keep it up!

[@Andypandieful]

What about women of older ages? They buy clothes. Usually more financially secure and able then the target market.

[@FaizC16]

Jourdan and Chanel are good friends again now. Jourdan was one of Chanel's bridesmaid.

[@marcirwilcox1160]

I was a plus size model at a size 4....overcoming an eating disorder for years to appreciate my body.#Selflove

[@adeled8833]

Marci Wilcox size 4 is a plus size? Sorry, I can’t get there

[@adeled8833]

Marci Wilcox “sorry for my question, I don’t understand what you meant” do you mean that size for is a plus size?

[@adeled8833]

Marci Wilcox ok I don’t get what you mean but as far as I know models of size 4 cannot be plus size , there’s a threshold of 8 size+ if I’m not wrong

[@Hailz12211]

Then id be a whale.😬

[@DSHT88]

yeah, and I was considered old when I was 12 years old. Logic?

[@LexiLindon]

Please keep making and posting these! I absolutely love hearing their unfiltered perspectives.

[@DaniellaTello]

Alek Wek is a queen😍

[@LivRich]

love all of these videos.. each and every one

[@sarath7619]

41 Where?!! Alek Wek is a legend!!! I Stan!!

[@kellmonster4064]

Vogue yes with the great content. Thank you so much. I like the raw direction with this series. It makes being a model more relatable. Blurring the lines is refreshing. “The industry is changing... but we still have a long way to go” 💖

[@fopifopfopifop3540]

Kell Monster they are late for doing this. They have enough power to expose all these devils

[@poleprincess222]

Yes! Vogue coming thru with the REAL content! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 Btw I’m a small KZbinr 🤗💜

[@ganjamama3086]

Subscribed babygirl!! Good luck😘

[@poleprincess222]

Cathy Anness thank you so much! ☺️

[@phumelelekunju5563]

Lyla Faith finally right. They contributed so much to the mess

[@kikiii.2201]

Just subscribed. You are a beautiful girl! ❤️❤️

[@Just-Kamal]

Exactly how they played Naomi and Tyra. Sick industry.

[@bellahadids]

This series is so important in the state of modeling right now. We get to see what it’s like INSIDE of the industry, the stuff that nobody talks about.

[@JazMJ]

EVERYY YEAR WE GET "the industry is changing but it still has a long way to go"

[@bobbybrown5519]

Keep these coming I love them so much!!

[@sweetsamia6257]

YAAAAAS Dinka. I'm Ethiopian and always try to big up my African sisters. You are loved and this is loving. CLAP CLAP CLAP. I hearts you guys so much....

[@s.t2147]

Finally some quality content!

[@aishatheashaa8006]

Im loving this series plz continue doing this❤️❤️❤️

[@maddiebennett9826]

love this series!!! don’t stop!!

[@bilalash2405]

those contents are the IRONY OF THE CENTRY LOL.

[@billyjack8]

Chanel Iman is so utterly and breathtakingly beautiful. She could pass for Nia Long's sister. :-)

[@billyjack8]

@pink girl I think you missed my point. Regardless of race, they have similar facial features; that's what i meant. Thank you for your point of view, though.

[@frenchvanilla7109]

@pink girl WTF how ignorant are you? Just because one women is part black and the other is full black they can't pass for sisters! You do know they're many families with full black children and part black children right.

[@BriaBarrows]

she's pretty but i see no resemblance to Nia at all

[@leladelaney4537]

In case people are unaware Chanel Iman is black. She identifies as black. Stop the ignorance. Being black does not discount her Korean heritage in any way shape or form or vice versa.

[@Love25648]

She’s average to me with an unsymmetrical face

[@natalier5461]

Love these series!! Keep making more ❤

[@roiblack8587]

Wow... this is an amazing series. Thank you, Vogue people.

[@sweetpeachbellini8245]

Nicely done Vogue. Now tackle ageism in the industry and let's see some diversity in that as well. I'd love to see wrinkles, crinkles, roundness, smile/laughter lines. In other words, no toothpicks with surgery/botox and fillers.

[@anukrocha]

I noticed that even though curvy girls will be featured in big magazines, it will always be an occasional "special", curvy girls are still not every other model in a magazine. That's what real equality would be like. It's good they get a rare opportunity as opposed to none, but it's still not z real chance for many curvy models to make money with modeling.

[@burakberk5706]

Because they force themselves into this industry and call it "change".

[@anukrocha]

@@burakberk5706 That's how change is made, by forcing it.

[@Love25648]

Islamiq Grrrls no one wants to see fat people.. no offense lol we shouldn’t normalize being big

[@visualbeauty3427]

I hope fashion focus on 'Quality' not quantity if quantity changes compared to old generation that would be soo trash these days.

[@dashiajames1882]

I luvvv these documentry videos soooo great information and also emotional at times...!!

[@mayateague]

THANK YOOOU VOGUE!!! Great discourse

[@lindsryan1087]

Chanel has grown sooooo much since her big vs show. She looks amazing!

[@richblondebombshell8861]

Wow didn’t know Chanel and jordon wasn’t speaking reminds me of the Tyra and Naomi

[@vg7735]

Naomi was mean to Tyra. Tyra wanted to be friends with her initially but Naomi gave her the cold shoulder.

[@andreacho9903]

This series was too short 😭😭 vogue please more episodes 🙏🙏

[@shani8267]

Loving these videos!

[@no.reply_]

Where's adut or anok would love to see them on Vogue more

[@teatm2333]

When Vogue wants poc customers, they'll pull this-

[@ns6716]

Thank you for sharing your stories, it inspired me.

[@bobbybrown5519]

Love these so much!!

[@USDAselect]

Finally some info on the Chanel/Jourdan beef

[@jujubean9598]

I only clicked when I saw Alek Wek.THAT IS MY QUEEN!!EVERYONE has their Queen..mine has and will always be ALEK WEK!!

[@fkatwigsisthequeenofenglan4748]

It's worse for the lesser known/less famous models. And i am not saying that to disregard what these women go through Actually look at what happened to Jourdan Dunn. They kicked her out of the vs show so they could add kendall jenner

[@jody-anncooper3760]

@Reerei Dia yea

[@destineybain6378]

Reerei Dia yep, it was either 2016 or 2017 I believe. It was the year Rihanna was gonna do it again and she cancelled because they cut Jourdan

[@user-nf3hh8kn5r]

Wtf how did I not hear about this? Ridiculous

[@fkatwigsisthequeenofenglan4748]

@Reerei Dia yeah it was a really big deal at the time. I havent seen her on the show since

[@lilmizzije]

That’s so messed up!

[@leilah5623]

That's great to open up about, we should bring awareness

[@happytrails699]

I love this youtube series

[@mybraineatseverything7404]

I have always loved Alek Wek. She's so cool, and she's just herself. :-) And she's ageless! I can't believe she just turned 42 last month.

[@hannawilson6150]

The intro reminds me of the seagulls in Nemo 😂

[@x0xtran9x0x]

Wow..this series is so good. Good job Vogue

[@MsChitterchat]

Thank you ladies for sharing.

[@onyx1654]

I've always thought Alek was 25 years old max

[@anmnou]

Nah, I hardly recognized her here...she has aged or lost too much weight.

[@onyx1654]

@@anmnou she does look a bit different here. Could be stress or lack of sleep as well (being optimistic).

[@ashante190]

How? When she's an icon of the 90s.

[@faithemmanuel7934]

😭 i can relate.... i am 19years old, 180cm tall, and a size 4 model and i still get rejected by agencies... But i believe my time will come pretty soon.

[@pollyp600]

Paloma Elsesser? You have such an amazing voice omg✨

[@macru37pr26]

Good informative beatiful video. The kind of things we need to see. 😎

[@belswn4882]

PSA ig models got no idea what real models go through and it shows

[@nonazuri]

Alek Wek! ! A living legend 😍😍😍😍😍😍

[@sararoach1934]

Yes VOGE !! I love this series!!!

[@suryarichman]

I absolutely love this series 👏🏼

[@deg3363]

I had a moment of genuine happy shock when Barack Obama was voted as President of the US...today when Vouge did this piece I actually had a similar moment. I guess times are really changing. Well done Vouge.

[@fkatwigsisthequeenofenglan4748]

Maybe on the surface level. Probably still wont change for the longest amount of time

[@adeled8833]

deg3363 was he chosen by his peers because of his skin color or because he was actually worthy? Choosing people just because their skin is another kind of racism. Choosing by abilities - that’s the point of implementing anti-racism regulations. Give everyone same resources at the beginning, don’t goddam equalize everyone at the finish line, that’s so dumb

[@HS-ie8tj]

@@adeled8833 girl bye. Obama is in a different league to his modern day predecessors in every way. No discussion.

[@embodimentofheaven9342]

H Y He’s in the same league with all the other war criminals and murders that are US presidents lol

[@adeled8833]

Kaylah Meckes She has put Obama’s election with this liberal type of video on the same shelf, which shows a lot about how she treats Obama. If you keep excusing people because* their liberal behavior, you’ll lose the very idea of the USA, which is not a freedom, but a common sense (there is more freedom and less of a cold analytics in other countries). Anyway, it is also not your right to shut me up, I’m expressing my concerns about liberal hype, while you’re just being annoying. Read some constitution if you don’t know about the freedom of speech

[@IshanAli]

We still have a long way to go before everyone is equal

[@sitrustree2716]

Yeah, wouldn't it be nice if race was nothing more than a phenotype

[@tieiatalks]

Ishan Ali but we aren’t equal. Different strengths and intelligence. How boring to be the same. Nothing is special.

[@tasnimfk2014]

You’re everywhere dude

[@yvettecompeau3956]

If everyone is here physically beautiful, no one is

[@paulsmith3128]

Ishan Ali Equity is is the solution not equality. Precisely why they ensure equity is unattainable. Why would those who have set up this power structure predicated on race and the power money affords this position want a level playing field?? 😂😂 Things are how they are precisely by design. Jesus.

[@michellejoseph8820]

I am really enjoying this series. Please please don't stop Vogue.

[@ciciisanoreo]

this series is dope!

[@henrieharris9014]

Me: I wanna be a model Me: looks at the models with tiny nose Me: cries because I have a big nose😔

[@salamilid4125]

Did you not watch the video

[@valeriadelgado6768]

Wow i love Chanel Iman. I never imagined that she went through something like that

[@beautyfashion9995]

great effort by vogue to put facts in front of us.

[@snickerdoodle15]

i been modeling and i love this series so much♥️

[@AlfredoVallejoZ]

OMG Alek Wek still stunning at 41!!! beautiful.

[@HowellConsultations]

To Anyone reading this comment, know that success is coming this year, Hope our channel helps !!

[@jordanmcdaniel919]

Obsessed with this series

[@aubreycain3142]

Omgosh I love this series. I modeled in the early 80's and when I went in to see Eileen Ford at a casting call, she told me I was too tall and had to lose 20 lbs. I was 6' and weighed 120 lbs. !! Now I'm 64, 5'11" and weigh 195 and feel gorgeous! Hooray to Vogue for doing this series. Bout time someone did..♥️

[@briterry4961]

When she said "when you don't see something it's really hard to believe it" that made so much sense. Think about Santa Claus, God, the Tooth Fairy, ect. All things people have the hardest time believing in. If we don't see something, it tends not to exist in our minds. Representation is so important.

[@denade6343]

The term beauty is and will be always problematic. And an industry that works with it can never be fair and real

[@oliviah5651]

4:58 gave me goosebumps ❤️❤️❤️

[@misipar1934]

Vogue is killing it with the content !

[@joannajamerson35]

I have straight hair and i wish it was curly. I love curly hair

[@terenarosa4790]

I have curly hair and I wish it was straight. Not because I prefer certain style, but because one is easier to maintain than the other.

[@laylac]

Curly hair is really hard to maintain and gets frizzy very easily. I have straight frizzy hair and can’t imagine how much of a nightmare the hair care routine must be like for curly haired girls 😂

[@monephachin2825]

We need one on PETITE MODEL

[@karllagerfeld15]

No such thing my love.

[@monephachin2825]

@@karllagerfeld15 ummm meaning???

[@karllagerfeld15]

@@monephachin2825 The petite market is so miniscule....no pun intended😂 But in all reality it's a non-exsistant market...its the unfortunate truth. In the modeling world, tall will always rule. Modeling isnt meant for average or normal folks. Short is very much an average trait.

[@monephachin2825]

Well I honestly do not care if they rule....or not and there is a Petite market and I know a lot who is doing well and walking runways etc (research) but that's your opinion . anyways I would love to see a video with them as I said by the way halima is a petite model.

[@karllagerfeld15]

@@monephachin2825 Well more power to ya!

[@dinitamanda]

good content!

[@tonicemona933]

I’ve experienced some crazy stuff with modeling as well 😫 especially being a dark skin black girl .. they usually only want “1” and they never know what to do with my hair

[@AlexandraBayer]

I wish Vogue would extend this series! BTW, I just posted my first ever vlog! It's a behind-the-scenes look at one of my photoshoots. All views, likes, and comments are highly appreciated!

[@farhia711]

Halima is somali not kenyan ... I hate when stupid companies like vogue don't do proper research on people .. .this is on another level of pure ignorance

[@candirockstar135]

Kimiko Kasai i think they made that mistake cause she WAS born in Kenya. But yes she’s Somali

[@anid9027]

@@candirockstar135 She wasn't born in kenya. She lived there for few years!

[@moonshi5846]

Vogue, thank you for this series. Honestly.

[@aminaaml7401]

I like these kind of vids

[@notJustNadia]

I am loving this videos by vogue, however lets be real Vogue has played a part in perpetuating this behavior. They had the power to end all this, now they just want to woke with this series which I do appreciate but please let this not be a trend, your influence has had a tremendous impact on beauty standards for women use your power to celebrate all beauty and create better working standards in the beauty industry!

[@jennalouiseart6802]

Sudanese are so incredibly beautiful my loorrrd 😍

[@mariaa.6324]

This was BEAUTIFUL!

[@tammymcleod9860]

I love the new variety of models! We need more!

[@lamb4lifexox]

Good for you vogue now please have some accountability for yourselves