Supermodel Coach and Executive Producer Naomi Campbell.
Credit: Getty Images
Naomi Campbell is heading to TV, joining fellow models Coco Rocha and Karolina Kurkova along with photographer Nigel Barker with “the Face,” their search for the model who can best represent ULTA Beauty. It’s a daunting task, but as one of the original supermodels, 42-year-old Campbell knows what she’s looking for.
Reality TV is the new model training ground:
“There is no model handbook,” Campbell says. “Coming from the ’90s, we basically just had to learn as we went along, and, of course, I would ask Iman or other models who were around me to show me how to do things. But I think things have changed, and now I think a show like this is absolutely needed.”
She knows talent when she sees it:
“We’re looking for someone who catches your eye, is driven, passionate, can take direction,” she says. “It’s someone that, you know, walks into the room and takes your breath away. We are looking for a supermodel like ourselves that can be the new Naomi, the new Karolina, the new Coco. We are looking for that person. It’s the highest level possible.
The girls better not take this opportunity for granted:
“I was always told in the beginning the big end goal was you work, work, work, work and then you get this big contract at the end, like ULTA Beauty, which is in 500 stores across America,” she says. “This is a big deal for someone to win this contract. They instantly become a household name.”
It’s time for her to give back:
“I mean, I’ve been asked, like, for the last 12 years to do television,” Campbell admits. “For me, what was attractive about [‘the Face’ was] just the whole thing about mentoring. I’ve been working for 26 years, and I felt like I do have something that I can share from the business of 26 years under my belt and giving it over to young, hopeful supermodels who want to be in our business today.”
