In June of 2018, President Donald Trump granted clemency to Alice MarieĀ Johnsonāa Memphis woman who was serving life in prisonĀ for a nonviolent drug conviction. Her story, which underscored the unfairness within the U.S.Ā criminal justice system, eventually caught the attention of Kim Kardashian, who has been credited for helping Johnson get her freedom.
More than a year Johnson's release, Kim enlisted the 64-year-old grandmother to model her new shapewear line SKIMS. Johnson appeared in the brand's inaugural campaign, whichĀ will reportedly featureĀ "real and intimate stories told by these women about why they love their bodies and how SKIMS empowers them to feel the best version of themselves."
Johnson is one of 26 women who will star in the campaign. Other models includeĀ Sami Miro, Alisson Statter, Seairra Thompson, and Roxy Reyes.
"I was serving a 25 year sentence without the possibility of parole. Kim saw a video of me. She heard my story. She said, 'This is so unfair,'" Johnson says in the video.Ā "And by the way, I didnāt even know who Kim Kardashian was! She went to war for me to fight for my freedom. Thatās why I call her my 'war angel,'Ā because nothing stood between her and my freedom."
You can watch Johnson's SKIMS video above.
Kim's shapewear line received widespread backlash overĀ the trademark of its original name, "Kimono." After sheĀ was accused of cultural appropriation, the reality TV star announced she would relaunchĀ the brand under SKIMS Solutionwear:
