Politics
Model Jourdan Dunn says she gets paid less because of her skin colour
BRIT supermodel Jourdan Dunn has spoken out about racism in modelling — claiming that she was paid less than pals Cara Delevingne and Karlie Kloss because of her “skin tone”.
The beauty, who was discovered in a London Primark in 2006 aged just 15, says she initially struggled to deal with inequality in the fashion world but now knows how to stand up for herself.
Jourdan Dunn says she was underpaid for modelling work because of her ethnicity[/caption]
Jourdan, who has starred in high-fashion campaigns across the globe, said: “Even for me now it’s just owning your voice and knowing your worth.
“I remember the girls I came up with, like my best friends in the industry, Cara and Karlie, I know their rate was different to my rate, even though we were doing the same jobs.
“When I think about that it’s so f****d up, like what is the difference? But clearly the difference is the skin tone.
“But now I know my worth and I’m going to ask for it.”
Jourdan says pal Karlie Kloss earned more for doing the same jobs[/caption]
Mum-of-one Jourdan, who is engaged to UK rapper Dion Hamilton, said she looked up to US black model Chanel Iman at fashion shows.
She explained: “Backstage at shows, Chanel would say if she didn’t like something with her hair and make-up.
“I would normally just hold it in and then be in the bathroom and try to change it as I didn’t want to offend anyone.
“But seeing her do that, I realised at the end of the day I am a brand and I need to look a certain way and I need to make sure I look good in a way that’s not disrespectful.”
Jourdan is pals with Cara Delevingne and says she wants the industry to be more equal[/caption]
Talking to TTYA Talks podcast, she added that she is working to make a difference in the industry.
Jourdan said: “Now when I have the creative direction of being able to choose who I want on shoots, I always make sure I bring on black young creatives.”
Jourdan, who was the first black British model to make the Forbes models rich list in 2014, explained: “If you have an audience, it’s important to speak out if you have something to say, but be mindful about the way in which it comes across.
“I’m learning as I go along with social media it’s all about the way you use it.”
Bravo, Jourdan.
Samia keeps it real
Corrie star Samia Longchambon feels strongly about enhanced photos[/caption]
CORONATION STREET star Samia Longchambon reckons people should post more natural snaps on Instagram.
She said: “I feel really strongly about it.
“On Instagram, there’s people . . . and I think that’s not actually what you look like in the flesh. You don’t look like that and it’s not fair to put that image out there.”
Speaking on podcast The Capsule In Conversation, Samia, who has two children, added: “It’s putting out an unrealistic image to people and it can be the source of a lot of problems for kids.”
Quite right.
India’s big idea
India Reynolds wants to see more curvier women on Love Island[/caption]
LOVE Island is set to launch in just two months’ time, but former contestant India Reynolds has called on ITV bosses to cast curvier women this year.
The brunette model starred in the 2019 series, but was shocked to be one of the more voluptuous women.
She told us: “It was mad that I was considered curvy on the show. I’m a dress size 10, which is smaller than average.”
India, who has launched a swimwear collection with Pour Moi, added: “When I came out, I realised there was a huge misrepresentation of women’s bodies because if people are looking at me and thinking I’m the curvy one then the general scale is way off.”
Caught Out
- SELF-CONFESSED Anglophile Michelle Visage plans to relocate from the US to the UK to retire . The TV host, whose latest show RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under is on BBC iPlayer from today, told us: “I think I lived in England in a past life.”
- JENNIFER LOPEZ has been secretly meeting ex-fiancé Ben Affleck who is mopping up her tears after her split from Alex Rodriguez. Actor Ben has been spotted getting snuck into J.Lo’s home. But pals say they’re “just mates.” Hmmm.
- DRAG Race queen Cheryl Hole wants to give Olympian Tom Daley a drag makeover after he slipped into her DMs. She said: “He’d be fully up for it. He’s a huge Drag Race fan.”
- THE OVERTONES still feel like “rookies” despite marking a decade in music with new album 10 on June 11 . Mike Crawshaw told us: “We still feel relatively new.”
- FAYE TOZER’s hubby Michael Smith has muscled in on her friendship with Strictly pro partner Giovanni Pernice. The Steps star said: “He speaks to him more than I do.”
Nappy days, Zayn
Zayn Malik says he helps Gigi Hadid with childcare during the day[/caption]
ZAYN MALIK has revealed he gets out of evening baby duties by being on hand for girlfriend Gigi Hadid and daughter Khai in the day.
The ex-One Direction singer praised his model partner for allowing him time alone to write songs.
Zayn said: “I’ve spent a lot of time with my little girl and my missus. When I can get the evening to myself I do a bit of writing and she (Gigi) is really cool about it.”
He added, on the Zach Sang podcast: “I related my album to my baby – it’s part of you and you want to share it with your world.”
At least albums don’t need nappy changes.
Ella says so scary at the top
FLYING to the top of the charts with her debut single and album was “really scary” admits Ella Henderson.
After taking part in The X Factor aged 16 in 2012, she went on to top the charts with album Chapter One, and song Ghost – and now feels she missed out on life.
Ella – whose single Let’s Go Home Together is No11 in the charts – said: “X Factor unlocked a lot of doors but catapulted me to a place that was really scary.
“Everything that was asked of me I did.
“The transition of being a teenager into a woman is stressful – your hormones are everywhere.
“I was suppressing a lot of how I felt in situations but went along with it.”
Speaking on The Max & Harvey podcast, Ella continued: “I don’t know how I did some of the things I did back-to-back.
“There’s 365 days in a year and 330 of them I wasn’t in this country.”
Jack wants Nathan for Brits sketch
WHILE we’d all prefer to forget most of 2020, Brits host Jack Whitehall is working on a memorable opening sketch with cameos from key players in the year’s big stories.
The comedian has suggested roping in TikTok sea shanty singer Nathan Evans, GMB host Alex Beresford, and Handforth Parish Council Zoom legend Jackie Weaver for pre-recorded footage.
Olivia Rodrigo will be starring at the Brits[/caption]
The bash, on May 11 at London’s O2 Arena, will also see a performance from US newcomer Olivia Rodrigo, who has posted a hot snap in a blue bikini.
Dua Lipa, Pink, Ran’n’ Bone Man and Coldplay will also appear.
An industry source said: “The sketch would be very funny, but a final script is yet to be signed off. But Jack’s ideas are going down well.”
Can we also suggest Professor Chris Whitty gets on stage to give Jack a Covid test?
On…
Jack Fox has been dating Eleanor Fletcher[/caption]
HE has previously romanced actresses Lily James and Samantha Barks, but Sanditon actor Jack Fox is now quietly dating singer Eleanor Fletcher.
The lookalike younger brother of Laurence Fox and Eleanor, who has performed at Glastonbury and Coachella, secretly became an item in 2019 and have since moved in together in the capital.
An industry source said: “It’s gone under the radar mostly because showbiz events have been dead this past year, but it’s serious and the couple are blissfully happy.
“Jack definitely feels ready to settle down. They’re loved up.”
Off…
Unlucky in love Jess Impiazzi is single again[/caption]
SPARE a thought for Celebrity Big Brother star and actress Jess Impiazzi, who has been dumped by her latest beau.
She had been dating her old school pal Matthew Cook, but he has now called it off.
It comes just months after she split from footballer Samir Carruthers.
Most read in Bizarre
A pal said: “Jess has been left heartbroken after Matt ended it with her out of the blue last month.
“She’s been feeling a bit down, but trying to keep her chin up.”
We are sure Celebs Go Dating will be banging down her door before long . . .
