Liya Kebede was recently named one of Forbes Top Earning Models joining a list of modeling elite which includes Gisele Bundchen, Kate Moss and Heidi Klum.
From Forbes:
[Earnings:]$2.5 million
As the first black model in Estée Lauder's history, the 29-year-old Ethiopian beauty is hailed as a ground-breaker. She also models for H&M, the Gap, Anne Taylor and Givenchy.
From the philanthropic work she does in her home country of Ethiopia to a perched spot atop the prestigious Forbes list, Liya Kebede never ceases to be a pioneer.
8 comments:
Hands down I think she is gorgeous and a role model for young girls.
Too skinny for me but beautiful no doubt.
Tadiyass, Liya! Ter oo Betam! African women are rarely near the top of any list, it is a blessing.
I agree with Mebete. African women are always at the bottom of lists and not at the top. But real talk--I think white people really love models like Liya because her looks don't push their buttons. A lot of people look at women like Liya and wonder what their "mixed" with and think of them as acceptable. I'm definitely not hating on her because I think she's so beautiful and is doing good things for her community but I think if she was a dark skinned african model with bigger features, she probably wouldn't have been in the top 10.
Please don't try to attack me on your response comments because I'm not questioning Liya as a black African woman. I'm just speaking on things the way I see them and I just think it's harder for dark skinned black models.
Hey Pash--
There's definitely some truth to that. There's a concept of what a "beautiful" woman looks like and she possesses certain facial features, physical attributes and what have you. And she changes very slightly even when she changes races, lol.
So yes, you're absolutley correct in that she doesn't push many buttons, but there's room for everybody in the industry...including Liya, Alek, Naomi, Gerren, Chanel Iman, Toccara. And I think the world is starting to realize that. Now if we can just see more of it!
Being a black "mix" myself I'm glad that a black woman is at the top of the list, you're still confronted with the same racisms no matter what "shade" she might be.
In general it's great to see more black faces in advertisements so that the young girls out there have role models, who look like them. Especially if you grow up in a predominately "white" world. I'm glad that the world is finally starting to see these numerous beautiful black faces.
Love your website!
Jenny,
Thanks for the insight. If that's your blog linked up....it's amazing!
Liya Kebede the Ethiopian model who has appeared on the cover of US Vogue TWICE. According to Forbes, Kebede was eleventh-highest-paid top model in the world
She is the second Ethiopian ever to be listed in Forbes's Richest list. The first being Ethiopian born, Mohammed Al Amoudi as the World's 86th Richest person.
Gisele Bundchen tops Forbes.com's list of the world's richest models, earning $33 million in the last 12 months. The Brazilian supermodel strutted past the likes of Kate Moss, who came in at No.2, and Heidi Klum, who placed third on the list.
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