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Home

Black Music Month: Models in Music Videos

Watching BET late one night last week, we were blown away by Michael Jackson's "In The Closet" video, starring a scantily-clad Naomi Campbell. Remember how steamy and gorgeously shot (thanks to genius photographer Herb Ritts) that video was? We were instantly flooded with memories of other fabulous videos starring supermodels. In honor of Black Music Month, let's take a look back at the history of catwalk queens in superstar videos.
By · Updated October 28, 2020
01
1986, Kara Young

At the tender age of 16, supermodel Kara Young appeared in Prince’s “Kiss” video — but she shared the love interest role with a dance body double!

02
1988, Tatiana Thumbtzen

In ‘88, Black/Cherokee/Cuban model Tatiana Thumbtzen starred as Michael Jackson’s slinky love interest in his “The Way You Make Me Feel” video.

03
1990, Djimon Hounsou

Before he was an Oscar-nominated actor, Djimon Hounsou was a top male model, appearing deliciously shirtless in Janet Jackson’s “Love Will Never Do (Without You)” video. Yum.

04
1992, Tyra Banks

In 1992, Tyra Banks played herself — a gorgeous catwalk queen — in George Michael’s “Too Funky” video. A year earlier, she also appeared in Michael Jackson’s “Black or White!”

05
1991, Naomi Campbell

Naomi steamed up the small screen as Michael Jackson’s statuesque lover in his Herb Ritts-directed video for “In The Closet.” Thirteen years later, she had a cameo in Jay Z’s "Change Clothes video.

06
1992, Iman

Iman played an Egyptian queen — and Eddie Murphy’s wife — in Michael Jackson’s “Remember the Time” video. In ’85, she also romanced Jermaine Jackson in his sultry video for “Do What You Do!”

07
1994, Beverly Peele and Cynthia Bailey

Top Nineties models Beverly Peele and Cynthia Bailey (of Real Housewives of Atlanta fame!) made guest appearances in Heavy D.’s supermodel-studded “Nuttin But Love” video.

08
2001, Teresa Lourenco

Brazilian supermodel Teresa Lourenco steamed up the sheets with Lenny Kravitz in his beyond sexy, Paul Hunter-directed video for “Again.”

09
2002, Shakara Ledard

Top model Shakara Ledard played the object of Justin Timberlake’s affections in his very first solo video, “Like I Love You.”

10
2008, Eva Marcille

Stunning model Eva Marcille guest-starred as Jamie Foxx’s girlfriend in his 2008 “DJ Play a Love Song” video. Their chemistry felt so real!

11
2010, Laetitia Casta

French uber-model Laetitia Casta played Rihanna’s lesbian lover in her controversial “Te Amo” video. So steamy!

12
2011, Selita Ebanks

Victoria’s Secret supermodel Selita Ebanks starred as a bird-like, alien creature in Kanye West’s ambitious short film, “Runaway.”

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