Naomi Campbell appeared to clap back at Anna Wintour after the Vogue Editor-in-Chief complained about the supermodel having a habit of always turning up late.
Per US Weekly, Wintour, 74, was on stage to present Campbell, 54, with the Fashion Icon Award at Harlem’s Fashion Row Fashion Show & Style Awards on Tuesday when she spoke about Campbell’s supposed tardiness.
“I am a very punctual person, and I have the honor of presenting tonight to someone who is often late,” Wintour told the crowd. The 74-year-old is said to have subsequently made her way out of the event, but the award was ultimately presented to Campbell by Harper’s Bazaar editor Samira Nasr.
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“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,” Campbell said when she took the stage to accept the award. “I would much rather have this,” she added while gesturing at Nasr.
The video of Wintour’s comment and Campbell’s response was shared on social media. But TMZ subsequently reported that Campbell did not actually show up late but rather came to the event at the time the producers had “instructed.”
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The news outlet also said Wintour wanted to attend the US Open, so she had the presentation slot moved to a different time. The 74-year-old was later spotted at the tennis event in Queens.
Despite their back and forth, Campbell and Wintour praised each other at the event, USA Today reported. “Naomi is honestly one of the most fearless people I know, a quality that was evident at the very, very start of her career when she began to speak the truth about inequality and injustice. And this was at a time when it was not so common to do so,” Wintour said.
“Naomi’s bravery has benefited the entire fashion industry. Though, I can tell you that being on the receiving end of that fearlessness can be – oh what can I say? Quite exciting? But it’s her honesty that makes her so incredible to be around, a muse and inspiration for designers.”
Campbell also thanked Wintour for supporting her from the onset of her career. “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,” Campbell said.
“So thank you, Anna Wintour, for your support in my career from 1987, meeting a young Black girl from South London in British Vogue offices and taking a chance in giving me a shoot. And so I thank you for your influence and your continuing support in pushing fashion forward also.”
Besides expressing her gratitude to her mother and grandmother, Campbell additionally gave a special shout-out to trailblazing models including Iman, Bethann Hardison, and Naomi Sims.
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