Photo — Naomi Campbell: Georges Biard (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Tyra Banks: Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0)
The Short Version
During the 1990s, supermodels Naomi Campbell and Tyra Banks were heavily pitted against each other by fashion industry insiders and media outlets as two of the few prominent Black models in high fashion. Banks alleged that Campbell engaged in workplace bullying and attempted to block her from runway shows, while Campbell maintained that systemic industry racism forced Black models into artificial competition and denied deliberate sabotage.
Latest Development
Campbell shares critical article as Banks clarifies communication timeline
Naomi Campbell shared an online article on Instagram referencing public critiques of Tyra Banks's hosting history on America's Next Top Model. Separately, Banks stated on Watch What Happens Live that the two had not spoken since prior to 2009.
2020 · Public statement
The Beef
Chronological, newest first. Every entry cites a source.
Beef timeline
2020
Campbell shares critical article as Banks clarifies communication timeline
Public statementNaomi Campbell shared an online article on Instagram referencing public critiques of Tyra Banks's hosting history on America's Next Top Model. Separately, Banks stated on Watch What Happens Live that the two had not spoken since prior to 2009.
Source ↗2019
Campbell addresses competitive narratives on 'Watch What Happens Live'
Public statementAppearing on Watch What Happens Live, Naomi Campbell expressed frustration with media narratives pitting Black women against each other and stated that she was proud of Tyra Banks's professional achievements.
Source ↗October 18, 2016
Banks reflects on rivalry during talk show appearance
AllegationIn an interview on talk show Skavlan, Tyra Banks described her 14-year rivalry with Naomi Campbell as containing some of the lowest points of her life, while acknowledging that industry practice unfairly pitted Black models against one another.
Source ↗2005
Campbell and Banks address conflict on 'The Tyra Banks Show'
Public statementNaomi Campbell appeared on 'The Tyra Banks Show' in a audience-free episode to address their history. Banks recounted specific allegations of hostile encounters, while Campbell denied deliberate targeted sabotage, accepted Banks's perspective, and offered an apology.
Source ↗2004
Tyra Banks alleges early career sabotage by top model
AllegationIn an interview with Newsweek, Tyra Banks alleged that an unnamed top model conducted 'hateful things' that led to her removal from fashion shows, driving her to consider quitting the industry.
Source ↗1993
Reports emerge of runway conflicts and agency shifts
ReportedIndustry reports indicated growing friction between Naomi Campbell and rising model Tyra Banks. Reports alleged that Campbell requested designer Karl Lagerfeld omit Banks from a Chanel show and pressured Elite Model Management, after which Banks moved to IMG Models.
Source ↗
Where It Stands
Dormant. Though Banks and Campbell held a publicized televised reconciliation in 2005, both women have continued to address the dispute in interviews over subsequent years. In 2020, Banks noted that they had not spoken in over a decade, while Campbell shared a news story on social media referencing public criticism of Banks's past hosting on America's Next Top Model.
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Sources
- 1.SourceCampbell shares critical article as Banks clarifies communication timeline ·
- 2.SourceCampbell addresses competitive narratives on 'Watch What Happens Live' ·
- 3.SourceBanks reflects on rivalry during talk show appearance · Oct 18, 2016
- 4.SourceCampbell and Banks address conflict on 'The Tyra Banks Show' ·
- 5.SourceTyra Banks alleges early career sabotage by top model ·
- 6.SourceReports emerge of runway conflicts and agency shifts ·
Allegations are attributed to the party that made them and are not statements of fact.