Iman, Mr Stardust, modelling and Somalia
‘Supermodel” is a strange word. Most often, the “model” part can be easily substituted to form “superego”, “supervacuous” or “superbitch” (why, hello there, Naomi). A notable exception is superhuman Iman, the Somalian/American model who is held in almost universal high regard.
That she is beautiful is obvious. Her burnished copper skin, cascading hair, svelte figure and shapely neck have achieved iconic status. But what most impresses about Iman is her intelligence, sensitivity, grace and warmth. All of which will be on display when she is interviewed by Lola Ogunnaike for a special once-off programme running on BET (channel 120) at 9.30am.
Ogunnaike is a US features and entertainment journalist of Nigerian origin. She most recently appeared as the entertainment correspondent on CNN’s American Morning. Ogunnaike has also made regular guest appearances on NBC’s Today Show, MTV and VH1. In 2007 she was named one of Ebony magazine’s “150 Most Influential Blacks in America”.
She will be speaking to Iman about her upbringing in Somalia, her modelling career, her marriage to David Bowie and her humanitarian work.
Born in Mogadishu, Iman Mohamed Abdulmajid is the daughter of Marian and Mohamed Abdulmajid. Her father was a diplomat and a former Somali ambassador to Saudi Arabia, her mother a gynaecologist. Iman attended high school in Egypt and later lived in Kenya, where she studied political science at Nairobi University.
While still at university she was discovered by US photographer Peter Beard and subsequently moved to the US, soon landing some of the most prestigious magazine covers and establishing herself as a supermodel. She also became a muse for many prominent designers, including <&bh”http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halston”>Versace, Calvin Klein and, in particular, Yves Saint-Laurent.
She is a spokeswoman for the Keep a Child Alive programme and works closely with, among others, the Children’s Defence Fund.
The part which I’d be most interested in is her marriage to David Bowie. Does Mr Stardust leave the toilet seat up? Come on, ’fess up Iman…
lThe interview runs on TopTV’s BET (channel 120) at 9.30am.
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