Beverly Johnson, the trailblazing model who made history as the first Black woman to grace the cover of Vogue, recently shared a disturbing experience from her past. In a candid interview with Page Six, Johnson recounted an incident from the 1980s where a hotel allegedly drained the pool after she had gone swimming.
Key Takeaway
Beverly Johnson, a pioneering figure in the modeling industry, has disclosed a distressing incident from her past, shedding light on the enduring impact of racism.
Shocking Revelation
During a conversation at Eileen Ford’s 90th birthday party in 2012, Johnson’s friends brought up the topic of a hotel draining its pool in the ’80s. To Beverly’s astonishment, she had no prior knowledge of this event, leading her to believe that it was an act of racism. While she refrained from disclosing the hotel’s name, citing legal concerns, Johnson expressed her certainty that the incident was racially motivated.
Enduring Racism in the Modeling Industry
Johnson’s revelation sheds light on the pervasive racism she encountered throughout her career in the modeling industry. In her 2015 memoir, ‘The Face That Changed It All,’ as well as in a 2020 op-ed, she delved into other instances of discrimination she faced. The model emphasized that such experiences were distressingly common due to her skin color.
Support from a Fellow Model
Amid the challenges she faced, Johnson revealed that fellow model Lauren Hutton consistently advocated for her in the industry. According to Beverly, Hutton would vocally question the absence of Johnson on magazine covers, leveraging her influence to champion diversity and representation.
Looking Ahead
Currently, Beverly Johnson is gearing up to showcase her new one-woman show, “Beverly Johnson In Vogue,” set to debut Off-Broadway. Despite the adversity she has encountered, Johnson remains undeterred, exuding enthusiasm for her upcoming project.
