Image via Complex Original
There isn't anything quite like the supermodels of the '90s, a decade often considered the golden era of models. The industry was led by Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, Christy Turlington, Linda Evangelista, and Kate Moss, all of whom gained fame beyond modeling itself, and would go on to be recognized by their first names alone. They were highly-paid (Turlington reportedly was paid $800,000 for twelve days' work each year by Maybelline in 1991) and were recognized all over the world.
Campbell et al. were celebrities and, naturally, did as celebrities did. They walked the runways and fronted ad campaigns, yes, but they also did talk shows, landed movie roles, and had their own TV shows. They also made cameos in music videos from Michael Jackson's "Black or White" to Jay-Z's "Change Clothes." But it wasn't just Campbell and what people considered the "original supermodels" who've shown face in the three-minute clips. We spotted plenty of other supermodels in Jon Bon Jovi, Busta Rhymes, and even Rihanna's videos. Check out this Brief History of '90s Supermodels in Music Videos to find out which one Tyra Banks, Heidi Klum, and Rachel Hunter, and more starred in.
Helena Christensen
Where: Chris Isaak's "Wicked Game" music video
When: 1989
The black and white video for Chris Isaak's "Wicked Game" was shot in Hawaii and featured model Helena Christensen. Isaak was smart to put Christensen in the video because it cleaned up at the 1991 MTV Video Music Awards, winning Best Male Video, Best Cinematography, and Best Video from a Film (a different version of the video was used for the Wild Heart soundtrack). Not to mention, it also landed the number 13 spot on VH1's Greatest Videos and number four on its 50 Sexiest Video Moments.
Naomi Campbell, Linda Evangelista, Christy Turlington, Cindy Crawford and Tatjana Patitz
Where: George Michael's "Freedom" music video
When: 1990
This is the music video of all music videos, at least in terms of model cameos. Naomi Campbell, Linda Evangelista, Christy Turlington, Cindy Crawford, and Tathana Patitz all make an appearance in the video for one of George Michael's hits—that lucky guy! The only model missing from this pack is 90s supermodel Kate Moss. Still, the visuals achieves some sort of holy grail status.
Naomi Campbell
Where: Vanilla Ice's "Cool As Ice" music video
When: 1991
Who remembers this? Before Naomi Campbell decided to release her own album, she appeared in Vanilla Ice's "Cool As Ice"—she even sang the chorus. Classic Naomi, just doing whatever she pleases.
Tyra Banks
Where: Michael Jackson's "Black or White" music video
When: 1991
Before she tried launching her own music career (and failed), Tyra Banks appeared in other artists' music videos. The first of many was Michael Jackson's "Black or White" music video. Mid-way through, she joins a group of random extras who sing along and then morph into one another. It was a pretty cool cameo, though it may have been trumped by Macaulay Culkin, who dances with Michael in the clip.
Stephanie Seymour
Where: Guns N' Roses' "November Rain" music video
When: 1992
When you're dating the band's lead vocalist, it's inevitable that you'll appear in at least one music video, as was the case with Stephanie Seymour. The model was dating Axl Rose at the time, hence her cameo in the group's "November Rain" video as Rose's bride.
Seymour also appeared in Guns N' Roses' "Don't Cry" video the previous year.
Cindy Crawford
Where: Jon Bon Jovi's "Please Come Home For Christmas" music video
When: 1992
It seems 90s supermodels were big on making cameos in music videos. Even Cindy Crawford appeared in Jon Bon Jovi's holiday song, "Please Come Home For Christmas." Bon Jovi was the envy of all guys here. Watch the clip and you'll see what we mean.
Linda Evangelista, Estelle Lefebure, Emma Sjoberg, Nadja Auermann, and Naomi Campbell
Where: George Michael's "Too Funky" music video
When: 1992
George Michael consistently had the best music videos, at least in terms of model cameos. This time, the singer was able to get some of the hottest models at the time to appear in his "Too Funky" video. Naomi Campbell, Linda Evangelista, Estelle Lefebure, Emma Sjoberg, and Nadja Auermann play themselves and, naturally, walk the runway as models would.
Alek Wek
Where: Tina Turner's "GoldenEye" music video
When: 1995
In certain cases, music videos have helped models get noticed or, even further, launch their careers. After Wek was discovered in London in 1995, she appeared in Tina Turner's "GoldenEye" music video, which has been thought to have pushed her modeling career forward. The following year she signed with Ford Models. Guess what they say is true, any publicity is good publicity.
Tyra Banks
Where: Lionel Richie's "Don't Wanna Lose You" music video
When: 1996
The last of Tyra Banks' music video cameos was in Lionel Richie's "Don't Wanna Lose You" video wherein she plays the singer's love interest. Eight years later, she would release a debut album and make a song with Kobe Bryant. Lucky for her, her modeling career took off because neither the album nor the single were all that successful.
Alek Wek
Where: Janet Jackson's "Got Til It's Gone" music video
When: 1997
From Tina Turner to Janet Jackson. You have to watch closely though because Alek only appears in the last few scenes in Jackson's video.
Kate Moss
Where: Elton John's "Something About the Way You Look Tonight" music video
When: 1997
Kate Moss may not appear in videos now, but she made quite a few cameos back then. In fact, she's been featured in seven videos, including Elton John's "Something About the Way You Look Tonight." How awesome would it have been though if she showed up when Kanye West rapped, "Let's get lost tonight, you could be my black Kate Moss tonight"?
Alek Wek
Where: Busta Rhymes' "Put Your Hands Where I Can See" music video
When: 1998
Alek Wek wasn't done appearing in music videos just yet. In 1998, she was featured in this Busta Rhymes' video. It's only a quick cameo, but Wek plays the role of one of the rapper's bath mates in the tub, alongside two other women.
Jaime King
Where: Filter's "Take A Picture" music video
When: 1999
Before starring in movies, Jaime King was a model. She was discovered in 1993 at the age of 14 and would go on to appear in Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, and Mademoiselle, amongst others. Oddly enough, though, she also starred in the rock band Filter's "Take A Picture" video as a mermaid of sorts.
Claudia Schiffer
Where: Westlife's "Uptown Girl" music video
When: 2001
She's one of the most popular and most successful models, plus she's beautiful. Who wouldn't want Claudia Schiffer in their video? The guys of Westlife must have been thrilled.
Heidi Klum
Where: Jamiroquai's "Love Foolosophy" music video
When: 2002
Heidi Klum has appeared in some of the biggest ad campaigns and top fashion magazines, so it was just a matter of time before she appeared in a music video, right? Here she is riding in an expensive car with the band's lead singer, Jay Kay. Not much different from her actual life, save for maybe the Jay Kay part.
Naomi Campbell
Where: Jay-Z's "Change Clothes" music video
When: 2003
This video took place at a fashion show, so it was inevitable that there would be a few cameos by models. '90s icon Naomi Campbell showed up on set, along with younger and newer models Jessica White, Liliana Dominguez, Jade Cole of America's Next Top Model, and Omahyra Mota. Jay was living every guy's dream.
Rachel Hunter
Where: Fountains of Wayne's "Stacy's Mom" music videos
When: 2003
Even if you weren't a fan of pop band Fountains of Wayne, you remember this song and the video. Rachel Hunter played Stacy's mom and (probably) introduced plenty of teens to the term "MILF."
Amy Wesson
Where: Elefant's "Misfit" music video
When: 2003
Since being discovered at 16 while working a retail store, Amy Wesson has been featured in Theirry Mugler, Christian Dior, Versace, Calvin Klein, and Valentino ad camaigns. But it hasn't all been fashion for her, as the music video above will show you. Wesson made a cameo in Elefant's "Misfit" video as the one of the models who has her mugshot taken. Equally impressive, she went on to be the cover model for the Smashing Pumpkin's 1998 album, Adore.
Kate Moss
Where: The White Stripes' "I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself" music video
When: 2008
Kate Moss appeared in this video in her underwear, and pole danced, leaving plenty of guys unsure of what to do with themselves.
Laetitia Casta
Where: Rihanna's "Te Amo" music video
When: 2010
RiRi shared the spotlight in her video with French model Laetitia Casta. For those who don't know, Casta was a Victoria's Secret Angel and has appeared on over 100 covers of magazines such as Vogue, Rolling Stone, and Elle, amongst others. She has also modeled for Jean-Paul Gaultier, Chanel, Ralph Lauren, Louis Vuitton, and more.
Now you won't have to wonder who that other hot chick in the video is. You're welcome.
