From catwalk queens to cultural icons — these are the supermodels who redefined beauty and built global empires, one runway at a time.
1. Naomi Campbell — The Trailblazer Who Broke the Rules
Country: UK
Rise: First Black woman on the cover of Vogue Paris (1988)
Behind the Glam: Naomi fought hard against racism in fashion. Off the runway, she battled legal troubles and rehab but always bounced back stronger — becoming a fierce activist and fashion legend.
> “I never asked to be a role model. I just want to break doors down.”
2. Gisele Bündchen — The Billion-Dollar Angel
Country: Brazil
Rise: Victoria’s Secret’s most bankable model
Behind the Glam: She was rejected by 42 agencies before making it big. Gisele later left VS, turned to activism, and became a wellness mogul. Her breakup with Tom Brady made global headlines — but she stayed poised, always.
> Fun fact: She planted over 40,000 trees in the Amazon.
3. Bella Hadid — Beauty with a Burden
Country: USA / Palestinian roots
Rise: Dior, Vogue, and countless luxury campaigns
Behind the Glam: Bella silently battled Lyme disease for years. She later opened up about anxiety, burnout, and facing cyberbullying over her views on Palestine — earning praise for her courage and activism.
> “Being perfect doesn’t exist. I’ve cried every morning, every night. But I still show up.”
4. Liu Wen — The First Chinese Supermodel
Country: China
Rise: First Asian model to walk Victoria’s Secret
Behind the Glam: Liu Wen’s journey was quiet but historic. She dealt with pressure from both Western and Chinese media, yet stayed graceful, humble, and intensely private — redefining Asian beauty globally.
> She opened doors for a generation of East Asian models.
5. Kendall Jenner — From Reality TV to Runway Royalty
Country: USA
Rise: From Keeping Up with the Kardashians to Chanel, Versace, and Balmain
Behind the Glam: Kendall faced industry gatekeeping — many rejected her at first, calling her “not a real model.” She proved critics wrong by becoming one of the highest-paid models worldwide.
> Her anxiety struggles made her more human than her public image lets on.
6. Adut Akech — The Refugee Who Took Over Fashion
Country: South Sudan / Australia
Rise: Discovered in a refugee camp; now a global runway star
Behind the Glam: Adut speaks openly about racism, mental health, and being misidentified by the media. Her story is one of raw resilience — from survival to superstardom.
> “My story is not a sob story. It’s a success story.”
7. Tyra Banks — Model, Mogul, Mother
Country: USA
Rise: First Black woman on SI Swimsuit and GQ
Behind the Glam: After modeling, she became a TV empire queen with America’s Next Top Model and her business school program. She faced criticism and praise — but always stayed boss mode.
> “I bring the runway to the real world.”
8. Irina Shayk — Russia’s Fiercest Export
Country: Russia
Rise: Sports Illustrated and global fashion houses
Behind the Glam: Her split with Bradley Cooper drew attention, but Irina stayed silent and strong — focusing on motherhood and her modeling career. She shattered stereotypes of Russian women in fashion.
> She walked Rihanna’s Savage X Fenty show while unapologetically redefining motherhood and sensuality.
9. Ashley Graham — The Body Revolution Icon
Country: USA
Rise: First plus-size model on the SI Swimsuit cover
Behind the Glam: Ashley pushed back against size discrimination and launched body-positive campaigns that changed how brands cast models. From lingerie to TED Talks, she made her body her brand.
> “My body is not the trend — it’s the revolution.”
10. Cara Delevingne — The Rebel With a Soul
Country: UK
Rise: Burberry, Chanel, and a major social media cult
Behind the Glam: Cara walked away from modeling to battle depression and addiction. In 2024, she returned with a renewed focus on mental health, LGBTQ+ activism, and acting.
> “Fame is hollow if you're not healing.”
💫 Why Their Stories Matter
- These supermodels aren’t just faces — they’re forces of nature.
- Behind the beauty is resilience, trauma, activism, and reinvention.
- Their influence extends far beyond fashion — into culture, politics, and global inspiration.
👀 Coming Soon on Behind Celeb:
“India’s Next Global Supermodel: Rising Names to Watch”
Post a Comment