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Fashion's Fiercest Feud: Banks and Campbell
17 Feb
Summary
- Naomi Campbell and Tyra Banks had a notable rivalry in the 1990s.
- The feud was fueled by industry pressures on black models.
- Both models have spoken about their past animosity years later.
The careers of supermodels Naomi Campbell and Tyra Banks were marked by a significant and publicly perceived rivalry throughout the 1990s. This dynamic unfolded within a fashion industry that often created intense competition among Black models, with designers frequently booking only one to avoid overcrowding.
Reports from the early 1990s detailed Campbell's alleged efforts to sideline Banks, including asking designers to ban Banks from catwalks and pressuring agencies to drop her. Banks, meanwhile, publicly expressed frustration with the industry's tendency to pit Black models against each other.
Despite the press often highlighting their differences, Banks pursued a more commercial path, landing major contracts, while Campbell remained focused on high fashion. Both women have revisited their past animosity in interviews and on television, with Banks expressing fear of Campbell well into the 2010s.
By 2026, Campbell states they are in a good friendship, acknowledging the industry's historical tendency to pit women of color against each other. However, Banks has continued to express some apprehension towards Campbell, reflecting the lasting impact of their complex history.
