SPEAK ON IT: Black Model On Naomi Campbell's "The Face" Says She DOES NOT Identify As A Black Model

Mar 21 | by _YBF

photo the-face-premiere-naomi-wenn-PF_zps770341ba.jpg

On Naomi Campbell's Oxygen reality show, "The Face" one model was asked if she identified as a "black" model, which made us wonder if the question of race should factor into how we view our jobs. Speak on it inside....

On this week's episode of "The Face," Wendy Williams interviewed the remaining models. She asked contestant Devyn about how her race played a factor in the modeling. When the model seemingly dismissed race as a factor, and Naomi was heard going off in the background, it made us want to ask if we should view our careers through the scope of race. On the show, their exchange went as follows:

Wendy: Is it hard to be a black girl model?

Devyn: I don't really consider myself to be a black girl model. I mean, I know what my ethnicity is, but I'm fair-skinned and I feel like I have an international look.

Wendy: So you don't feel black.

Devyn: No, that's not what I said, whatsoever.

Naomi Campbell (in the wings): What the f*ck does she mean? That's a disgrace! She's a black girl.

Devyn's answer does raise an interesting question. Does race play a part in the professional roles we play? Is it offensive that Devyn just wants to be viewed as a "model" rather than a "black model"? Or is it offensive that she's dismissing being black as if it will be a negative strike against her?

Watch the controversial question and response here:

SPEAK ON IT....

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Fashion

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The ONLY way that

The ONLY way that aspiring-model 'Devyn' could be seen as being racially-"Black" is via an adherence to the racist-'One-Drop Rule' (an socially-constructed "rule" which was created by racial-supremacists in order to degrade BLACK lineage -- and which was also and legally-banned in the U.S. in 1967). --- (http://dir.groups.yahoo.com/group/Generation-Mixed/message/4162) --- --- (http://dir.groups.yahoo.com/group/Generation-Mixed/message/4160) --- --- This means that any BLACK person who supports the black-lineage degrading' / racist-'One-Drop Rule' either has no self-esteem, is insane or is an idiot --- --- THERE IS absolutely NO SUCH THING AS A so-called 'LIGHT-SKINNED BLACK' person. --- (http://dir.groups.yahoo.com/group/Generation-Mixed/message/4160) --- The LINKS in the SIDEBAR of my YouTube CHANNEL explain this in greater detail. --- (https://www.youtube.com/user/apgifts) --- --- More people need to realize and accept the fact that THERE IS actually NO SUCH THING AS A so-called "LIGHT-SKINNED BLACK" person ... but rather ... such individuals and groups are actually people who are of a 'Multi-Generational Multiracially-Mixed' (MGM-Mixed) Lineage that some may have been pressured or encouraged to ignore or downplay. --- (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Generation-Mixed/message/4160) --- --- People of Mixed-Race lineage should NOT feel pressured to 'identify' according to any standards other than one's own. --- --- (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Generation-Mixed/message/4157) --- --- The legal -application of the racist-'One-Drop Rule' (ODR) was banned in the U.S. way back in 1967. --- --- --- (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Generation-Mixed/message/4162) --- (http://www.facebook.com/groups/253286018082418/permalink/253341891410164) --- (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Generation-Mixed/message/4187) --- (http://www.facebook.com/groups/253286018082418/permalink/253341281410225) --- --- Listed below are related Links of 'the facts' of the histories of various Mixed-Race populations found within the U.S.: --- --- There is no proof that a 'color-based slave hierarchy' (or that 'color-based social-networks') ever existed as common entities -- within the continental U.S. --- (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Generation-Mixed/message/4154) --- (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Generation-Mixed/message/4153) --- --- It was the 'Rule of Matriliny (ROM) -- [a.k.a. 'The Rule of Partus' (ROP)] -- and NOT the racist-'One-Drop Rule' (ODR) -- that was used to 'create more enslaved people' on the continental U.S. --- --- This is because the chattel-slavery system that was once found on the antebellum-era, continental U.S. was NOT "color-based" (i.e. "racial") -- but rather -- it was actually "mother-based" (i.e. 'matrilineal'). --- (http://www.facebook.com/allpeople.gifts/posts/309460495741441) --- --- There were many ways (and not solely the sexual assault and sexual exploitation of the women-of-color) in which 'white' lineage entered the familial bloodlines of enslaved-people found on the continental U.S. --- (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Generation-Mixed/message/4238) --- (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Generation-Mixed/message/4239) --- (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Generation-Mixed/message/4240) --- --- An 'Ethnic' category is NOT the same thing as a "Race" category: --- (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Generation-Mixed/message/4236) --- (http://www.facebook.com/allpeople.gifts/posts/300777016632181) --- Other Topics: --- (https://www.facebook.com/allpeople.gifts/posts/279223868853420) --- (https://www.facebook.com/allpeople.gifts/posts/164203590359746)

by Allpeople Gifts
12:08 pm - Apr 8, '13

LMAO!!! She doesn't have to,

LMAO!!! She doesn't have to, the industry will do that for her- TRUST!

by Marie Gemini
10:39 pm - Mar 22, '13

Why should it matter if she

Why should it matter if she doesn't want to identify with a race. The more race is emphasized as a factor, the more it will play a role. The only way to stop racism is to stop acknowledging the different colors of people's skin every chance we get. Sure, her international answer wasn't the best way to put it but it doesn't matter how anyone else sees her. What really matters is how she sees herself.

by Ashley Tate
3:48 pm - Mar 22, '13

"What really matters is how

"What really matters is how she sees herself." You're right, but when asked the question about being black, she doesn't see herself as a Black woman and YOU don't see the problem with that? SMH!!!!!!! I can see that you're a light skinned black woman. Do you beg to differ?

by Happy Lady
4:04 pm - Mar 22, '13

Since when did being lighter

Since when did being lighter skinned equate to having "an international look"? LOL Sorry sweetie, but you look like a light-skinned Black woman. Get over it and your self-hate issues.

by PinkyDaGoddess
12:21 pm - Mar 22, '13

NAOMI IS AN INTERNATIONAL

NAOMI IS AN INTERNATIONAL SUPERMODEL and she is a BLACK BITCH!! DUMB ASS DEVIN FAIR SKIN DOES NOT EQUATE TO INTERNATIONAL LOOK BITCH.. BEING SKINNY AND TALL DONT MEAN UR AUTOMATICALLY A MODEL ..ESP WHEN U LOOK LIKE A BOOTLEG BIG FACE VERSION OF SOLANGE YOUR NOT EXOTIC LOOKING ..YOU DONT HAVE RARE FEATURES... your usually the girl that GREETS ME WALK ME TO MY SEAT.. HAND ME THE MENU ..AND SAY YOUR 'WAITER WILL BE WITH YOU SHORTLY.. BITCH PLEASE BLACK IS THE NEW WHITE n i mean BLACK BLACK ..PITCH BLACK ZULU BLACK CHEF BLACK even KENYA MOORE/ESTELLE KINDA BLACK NOT no FUCKING fair skin BLACK light skin BLACK OR mixed BLACK BLACK BLACK BITCH!!!

by chakacan
1:34 am - Mar 22, '13

Lord have mercy. People are

Lord have mercy. People are still ashamed of being BLACK. Girl get yo life. Wendy I'm going to need you to stop embarrassing people before someone kick your behind. How you doing? Anyhow, check out the life of Keisha at beautyNbetrayal.com, read the 1st chapter for free you will be on a thrill of your life.

by Sincere Johnson
12:40 am - Mar 22, '13

I wonder what size shoe that

I wonder what size shoe that chick wears? that's a serious case of foot in mouth disease right there.

by Realist
11:22 pm - Mar 21, '13

That lil dark skinned chick

That lil dark skinned chick is CUTE, i'd tap into that. Only flaw tho is her mouth it's like discolored or some shit just a small thing. But she can defiantly get it. BUT HOLD UP, DID THAT SISTA SAY SHE IS 21 WITH 2 KIDSSSSS BY 2 DIFFERENT MEN , i take everything i said back!!! Women with kids should not be catered to by anyone other the faather of those kids.

by LetsGetIt
9:34 pm - Mar 21, '13

i think naomi has to be one

i think naomi has to be one of the greatest models ever. she started young and is still in the game. she never ages and she can rip the hell outta any runway - anywhere. i lol'd when i saw devyn's response. self-hatred on every level. naomi is getting rid of her in 5...4...3...2...

by wildlife
8:16 pm - Mar 21, '13

First off, I have to say I

First off, I have to say I have been loving Naomi on this show, she is the real thing just too funny. I think Devyn did answer it that way because she didn't want to talk about being black and it's as if she's uncomfortable. I would just go right into talking about being black, but that's me. Ebony is more relaxed than Devyn and comfortable to "just chat." I don't think we should make it into a big deal, this is a debate we are trapped into prolonging and continuously fighting amongst each other. Our society focuses too much on individual success and self-gratification. There's no unison as a group.

by vanessa.boo1
8:06 pm - Mar 21, '13

lmao firstly having light or

lmao firstly having light or fair skin doesn't equate to having an international look.. secondly the bitch doesn't look international. and lastly she's not even fair skinned! she's very regular looking. smh those ignorant niggas from the hood she came from probably gassed her head up her whole life thinking she a bad bitch because she is somewhat light skin smmmhhhhhh i can't deal

by litebrite
7:35 pm - Mar 21, '13

Just watched again, and Naomi

Just watched again, and Naomi had priceless response. . . "What The Fu*ck does she mean!. . . that is a disgrace! she's a black girl!!" Her hood side came out real quick LOL

by iLaugh
6:58 pm - Mar 21, '13

While this is a very sad

While this is a very sad answer and I'm proud as all get out to hear/read Naomi's reaction, it's a truth that is prevalent in the entire industry. Black models get the short end of the stick all the time and this girl clearly knows that having an "international" look (i.e. racially ambiguous) will get you further.

by Santi114
6:45 pm - Mar 21, '13

Devyn look black, not

Devyn look black, not international. Now i can understand if the chick look like Vanessa Williams or Halle Berry's daughter but nope she's just a pretty light skin black girl. Poor thing, she seems confused. Whatev's happy to see two black models make it to the finals.

by sexybrownpyt
6:35 pm - Mar 21, '13

I saw that episode and I

I saw that episode and I don't think thats what she meant by that statement she just worded her answer wrong. On the other hand you need to talk about how Naomi checked that other model Coco LOL that was hilarious "CHECK YOUR LIPSTICK BEFORE YOU COME TALK TO ME" pure comedy....

by So Infamous
6:30 pm - Mar 21, '13

And another reason why i

And another reason why i think alot of women DON'T WANT TO CLAIM BLACK is because ANYBODY CAN CLAIM IT!!It's not unique if anybody with a damn drop can claim it, and if you ask those people who damn near look like a different race why they claim black THEY'LL SAY BECAUSE THE WHITE MAN SAID SO!!! So let me get this straight you only claim black because white people don't want to claim your ass, asians don't want to claim your ass, so you come to the bastard race THAT CLAIM EVERY GODDAMN BODY and that's black people. So in a way i can understand why alot of model and women want to be something other than black , i understand!!

by LetsGetIt
6:13 pm - Mar 21, '13

I believe the professional

I believe the professional answer she was going for was "I don't like labels. While I am a black model I just want to be considered as a model instead of labeling me and putting me in a box." The "international look" part was a bit cocky and stand offish but ok.

by Mellissa Ford
5:48 pm - Mar 21, '13

She gave the answer the

She gave the answer the script called for. And it wasn't "I don't want to be labeled." That would have been very easy.

by WoolyBlunt
5:54 pm - Mar 21, '13

The sista Devyn looks like

The sista Devyn looks like the typical african american chick but just like most AND I'VE SAID BEFORE, AND IT ALWAYS GETS CONFIRMED, THAT MOST BLACK WOMEN DO NO WANT TO BE BLACK!!!!!! They want to be EXOTIC or SOMETHING OTHER THAN BLACK which is why they always say they got some other race that don't give a damn about them in their dna. You can't say im lying when i say this shit!!! I know it hurts to hear a proud black brotha speak the truth. BUT LETSGETIT KEEP IT 1000000 % because i love you black woman. But i honestly feel that atleast 85 % of black women DON'T WANT TO BE BLACK. Hey maybe im wrong, but i feel black women want to be exotic and claim to be anything but african or black. AND WHY BLACK WOMEN ACT AS IF THEIR SHOCK OR MAD AT THIS WOMAN, I DON'T KNOW, because alot of them have the same mentality. They just claim black when it's convenient or to make other feel apart of something they don't want to be apart of

by LetsGetIt
5:47 pm - Mar 21, '13

Now if this woman is mixed,

Now if this woman is mixed, then i take back what i said. Because mixed people "to me" are not black THEIR MIXED. But this woman is iight she don't have the "international" look if you ask me.

by LetsGetIt
5:50 pm - Mar 21, '13

I had no problem with her

I had no problem with her saying that; she's probably biracial with a white mother, and thus understandably has no black consciousness. Sad that she has a black daughter who will grow up with that fucked mindset, but she's hardly the only one. --shrug-- In terms of her coloring she isn't particularly light, but she was light enough that she wasn't forced into the marginalized we-all-know-she-ain't-gonna-win Ebony role or the classic Angry Black Woman coonery that Sandra got to play. People didn't have a problem with that, but they have a problem with this chick stating the obvious? Of course, regardless of how she sees herself, the industry sees her as a black model, and she will accordingly get the limited bookings that black models who aren't Naomi Campbell get--even if they think of themselves as purple with pink polka dots.

by WoolyBlunt
5:28 pm - Mar 21, '13

She would have done better to

She would have done better to say that she is a black girl who models and doesn't choose to call herself a "black girl model." It's all in the wording and she said it all wrong.

by memoirs.of.a.keisha
5:24 pm - Mar 21, '13

I don't have an issue with

I don't have an issue with her not identifying as a black model. However, I DO HAVE AN ISSUE with her saying she is fair-skinned so she has the "international" look. What she is implying is that dark-skin is not marketable while light-skin is more desirable and international. Ignorance is what ignorance does and b*tch, you can kiss yo motherf*king career (if you even had any to begin with) good-bye. Sorry to burst your bubble sweetheart but the entire world sees you as a N*GGER!! YOU IS A N*GGER BOO, international or not lol. To make matters worse, you are a teenager mother lol when white people see you, they picture welfare lines smh

by Ajuna Ariel Fenty
5:06 pm - Mar 21, '13

That chick is CRAY!! First of

That chick is CRAY!! First of all she is from the BRONX and grew up next to Yankee Stadium. Second of all she is not that light and does not have European features. She is a round the way regular black girl. My jaw DROPPED when she made the comments, especially when she said "I am light skinned" Boom, I knew it was all about the shade of her skin. Me and my family are lighter than her and we are black black black. Da fuk outta here with that bullish!! *_*

by goeze
4:58 pm - Mar 21, '13

melanie fiona said she wasn,t

melanie fiona said she wasn,t black and you fools accepts her,and she is here on an work visa.

by Gwen
4:54 pm - Mar 21, '13

#DEAD @ work visa. I'm dead,

#DEAD @ work visa. I'm dead, done, finished and over.

by Ajuna Ariel Fenty
5:07 pm - Mar 21, '13

She thinks that saying I am a

She thinks that saying I am a black model limits her opportunities and it does in a racist fashion industry. She is not fair skinned now that I totally disagree with she is dark brown not light at all.

by Zanya
4:46 pm - Mar 21, '13

The girl who said she doesn't

The girl who said she doesn't consider herself a "black girl model" is on our right in the video and she is definitely not dark brown.

by memoirs.of.a.keisha
5:23 pm - Mar 21, '13

I hope the CHICK reads these

I hope the CHICK reads these comments because she's a dumb bish! I don't care how light she is - she's still BLACK!!!!! SMH!!! This is the dumbest sh*t I've heard all year!

by Happy Lady
4:30 pm - Mar 21, '13

Bitch not only are you

Bitch not only are you black,,,,,you are a nigga,,,boom.

by BEEMA SUX DIX
4:20 pm - Mar 21, '13

HAHAHA! Well said!

by wildlife
8:01 pm - Mar 21, '13

DEAD!!!

by JamaicanGal
4:25 pm - Mar 21, '13

Naomi being from the UK was

Naomi being from the UK was probably very surprised. Racism exists everywhere, but in America there definitely seems to be an instilled self hate. It's an epidemic that is very African American. . . there is always either the idea that you completely ignore your race, and identify with Caucasians, or you have to be "Urban" to be considered your race. People of African descent from countries outside of the United States generally know how to exist without their skin color being a "hot button issue".

by iLaugh
4:00 pm - Mar 21, '13

Oh please. 90% of the black

Oh please. 90% of the black population lives in the direst poverty on the planet. It amazes me when black people from all over the world literally sell their mothers to get here and then try to lecture black Americans on how to be black when black Americans are the wealthiest, most politically powerful black population on the planet. Naomi Campbell wasn't "shocked" by a damn thing, because she executive produced this fuckery, chose these girls, gave them their SCRIPTS, and had to come here from the beginning of her career to get rich because most European designers STILL to this day won't hire black models. Yeah, y'all will come here and yammer about hip-hop, slavery, and blazay blah, but if you CAN come here you will come HERE, because of what WE--black Americans--have done to make this country livable for all minorities. Miss me with that nonsense.

by WoolyBlunt
5:52 pm - Mar 21, '13

Just the first sentence of

Just the first sentence of your response lets me know that you are not a well traveled person, and are ignorant of the world around you. Just because you've seen a few commercials, and a few documentaries about war-torn parts of Africa and you think that is how the "90% of the black population" that you say is living in "Direst poverty" covers everyone outside of the United States. You're ignorant, and realize it or not you are part of the statistic of African Americans that is instilled with self hate and you are too blinded by ignorance to realize it. I would go on but your ignorance is just too distasteful to continue. Go to school and educate yourself on the world outside of America you may be surprised to realize that other people exist, and though they may not have the same political, social, and economical freedoms that we have, are very comfortable in their own skin, and if asked the same question wouldn't even be confused in how to answer because material items, and freedoms or not. . . they are comfortable with who they are.

by iLaugh
6:44 pm - Mar 21, '13

PERFECT!!

by Keonta
4:10 pm - Mar 21, '13

yeah i was watching this

yeah i was watching this episode and i understand what she was TRYING to say, i hope, but it def didnt come out right. Yes she is a black model (the obvious) but would we really call Kate moss a white model ? why can't they just be models? however that is not forgetting where you came from or what you are REPRESENTING as a "model". also that international look/ fair skin comment was super silly of her to say. i'm a photographer and i can't even tell you what a "international look" is....... there are white, black, asians, latinos , etc that are international (around the world) and are DARK SKIN!!!! i really just hope she misspoke in the heat of the moment because if not then she has a lot of self soul searching to do....

by DoWat Munroe
3:46 pm - Mar 21, '13

LMAO Fair skin my ass! You

LMAO Fair skin my ass! You wishhhh you were fair skin, Naomi.

by Shaniqua
3:48 pm - Mar 21, '13

Shaniqua - go back and READ

Shaniqua - go back and READ the article again because your interpretation is off. smh!

by Happy Lady
6:26 pm - Mar 21, '13

lol.

by BEEMA SUX DIX
6:46 pm - Mar 21, '13

People, Devyn is the

People, Devyn is the personification of a negropean. "A negropean is the new "Tom". Somewhat like an oreo only more refined. The modern-day in the house type of step and fetch it." - Black Planet.com

by Sunflower Jones
3:37 pm - Mar 21, '13

She's so silly. Unfortunately

She's so silly. Unfortunately the modeling world will look at her and see a black girl model. If they didn't then there would be more of us on runways. Its a shame she said that in front of Naomi Campbell of all people. And what the hell is an international look? Has she seen the crop of models lately? You don't get to determine what kind of "look" you have. If they like you they'll hire you. If they don't they won't. And there'll be nothing she can do about it. Naomi is a BLACK trailblazer in the modeling industry, and the sooner Ms. Devyn realizes that the better off she'll be. Otherwise she'll be sorely disappointed.

by Amber Cooper
3:34 pm - Mar 21, '13

Tell her to ask the LAPD what

Tell her to ask the LAPD what they think about her "international black face".

by MsPrissyDiva
3:32 pm - Mar 21, '13

So because she's "fair

So because she's "fair skinned" she doesn't consider herself to be a Black female model? ... Right ... Ok Devyn, go ask the White people - who you're hoping will put you on because of your "international look" - what do they consider you and come back and let me know. I assure you ... they won't reiterate your ignorant response. Your ass is Black to in their eyes.

by Creative . Novelty
3:26 pm - Mar 21, '13

So black girls don't look

So black girls don't look "international"? BTW, she looks like a brown skin black woman to me.

by CLS1986
3:23 pm - Mar 21, '13

That's all I see. She does

That's all I see. She does not look "exotic" like she believes. Even if she did, it does not give her the right to think she is better than a black model or run away from being considered one. What happened to the love for blackness we had in the 70s, 80s and 90s???

by MsPrissyDiva
3:36 pm - Mar 21, '13