Naomi Campbell Disses Anna Wintour During Award Acceptance Speech

Naomi Campbell recently sparked conversation during her acceptance speech for the Fashion Icon Award at Harlem’s Fashion Row Fashion Show & Style Awards, held on September 3 in New York City. While presenting the award, Anna Wintour, the long-standing editor of Vogue, jokingly remarked to the audience, “I am a very punctual person, and I have the honor of presenting tonight to someone who is often late.”

After Wintour left the event, Samira Nasr, the editor for Harper’s Bazaar, took over the presentation on Wintour’s behalf. This prompted Campbell to share her thoughts about Wintour’s earlier commentary. “I want to say this. Everything is meant to work out the way it’s going to work out. It wasn’t my choice to have the other lady,” she said, referring to Wintour. She added, “I would much rather have this,” waving toward Nasr.

The remarks quickly spread online, with TMZ reporting that Campbell was not late to the event. Instead, she arrived at the designated time directed by the event’s producers. The outlet revealed that Wintour had adjusted her schedule to accommodate her desire to attend the U.S. Open in Queens, leading to the change in the timing of Campbell’s presentation. Wintour was later seen in the stands at Arthur Ashe Stadium during the tennis matches.

Despite the scheduling mix-up, both women exchanged accolades about one another. Wintour honored Campbell during the awards ceremony, describing her as “bold, bright and entirely, unquestionably herself.” She also praised Campbell’s courage, highlighting her early advocacy for racial equality and justice in the fashion industry when such conversations were not common. Wintour emphasized, “Naomi’s bravery has benefited the entire fashion industry…it’s her honesty that makes her so incredible to be around, a muse and inspiration for designers.”

After receiving the award, Campbell expressed her gratitude towards Wintour for her support throughout her career, dating back to their first meeting in 1987. “We must still say thank you to Anna Wintour, as she did take the time to come here and give me the award even though I wasn’t here. So thank you, Anna Wintour, for your support in my career,” Campbell shared. She recalled Wintour’s role in giving her opportunities early on, saying, “meeting a young Black girl from South London in British Vogue offices and taking a chance in giving me a shoot.”

During the event, Campbell’s heartfelt acknowledgment of Wintour illustrated a relationship built on mutual respect and admiration, despite the comical misunderstandings about timing. Wintour is known for her passion for tennis, which has led her to prioritize attending matches at the U.S. Open, even occasionally adjusting her work commitments. This fondness for the sport is well-documented, with tennis pro Roger Federer previously mentioning how Wintour often made time to watch his matches and was a supportive presence in his career.

As Federer expressed in an interview this year, “I realized she’s a massive tennis fan…she started skipping some of those fashion shows to come watch my games at the U.S. Open.” He shared that Wintour has been a consistent source of encouragement and advice, bolstering both his professional and personal life.

Meanwhile, as the excitement of the U.S. Open continues, Campbell is embracing her new role as a parent. She has confirmed that she welcomed both of her children via surrogate, expressing deep affection and commitment to her family. Campbell emphasized her hopes for her children and the world they will grow up in, stating, “My babies are everything to me. It’s made me fear for the future. I hope for a better world for my children. They are 110 percent my priority.”

As Campbell balances her illustrious career with her duties as a mother, her journey remains a source of inspiration within and beyond the fashion industry.

Source: TMZ, USA Today, Us Weekly