• Celebrity
    • Celebrity News
    • ‘Yes, Girl!’ Podcast
    • Entertainment
    • Black Women in Music
    • Black Celeb Couples
    • Celebrity Moms
    • Red Carpet
  • Fashion
    • Fashion News
    • Street Style
    • Accessories
    • Fashion House
    • Fashion Week
  • Beauty
    • Beauty News
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Color Files Podcast
    • Nails
    • How-To
    • Beauty Carnival-Archive
    • Dope Stuff On My Desk
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
  • Hair
    • Hair News
    • Natural
    • Relaxed
    • Transitioning
    • Weaves
    • 4C
    • Spring Hair And Beauty
  • Love
    • Love & Sex
    • The Solve Podcast
    • Weddings
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle News
    • Coronavirus: Everything You Need to Know
    • Health & Wellness
    • Holiday Gift Guide 2020
    • Unbossed Podcast
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Money & Career
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Black Travel Guide
    • Currency Conversations
    • Your legacy
  • News
    • BLACK VOTES MATTER
    • Latest News
    • Raise Your Voice
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Videos
  • Events
    • WELLNESS HOUSE: YEAR OF RENEWAL
    • LEVEL UP: Entrepreneur Summit (DEC 2020)
    • Power Tools
    • SHE GOT NOW
    • Girls United Summit
    • Making Moves Now: Virtual Bootcamp
    • #EF SESSIONS
    • Dear Black Men
    • Cares Act
    • News & Announcements
  • Festival
  • Subscribe
  • Essence Studios
  • Girls United
  • NaturallyCurly
  • Shop Essence

Follow Us

Skip to content
  • Essence Studios
  • Girls United
  • NaturallyCurly
  • Shop Essence
  • Celebrity
    • Celebrity
    • Celebrity News
    • ‘Yes, Girl!’ Podcast
    • Entertainment
    • Black Women in Music
    • Black Celeb Couples
    • Celebrity Moms
    • Red Carpet
  • Fashion
    • Fashion
    • Fashion News
    • Street Style
    • Accessories
    • Fashion House
    • Fashion Week
  • Beauty
    • Beauty
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Color Files Podcast
    • Nails
    • How-To
    • AVEENO® Skin Health Startup Accelerator
    • Beauty Carnival-Archive
    • Dope Stuff On My Desk
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
    • Beauty News
  • Hair
    • Hair
    • Hair News
    • Natural
    • Relaxed
    • Transitioning
    • Weaves
    • 4C
    • Spring Hair And Beauty
  • Love
    • Love
    • Love & Sex News
    • The Solve Podcast
    • Weddings
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle
    • Coronavirus: Everything You Need to Know
    • Health & Wellness
    • Lifestyle News
    • Holiday Gift Guide 2020
    • Netflix’s Jingle Jangle Gift Guide
    • Unbossed Podcast
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Money & Career
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Black Travel Guide
    • Currency Conversations
    • Your Legacy
  • News
    • News
    • BLACK VOTES MATTER
    • Essence 50th Anniversary
    • Latest News
    • Raise Your Voice
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Videos
  • Events
    • Events
    • WELLNESS HOUSE: YEAR OF RENEWAL
    • LEVEL UP: Entrepreneur Summit (DEC 2020)
    • Power Tools
    • SHE GOT NOW
    • Girls United Summit
    • Making Moves Now: Virtual Bootcamp
    • #EF SESSIONS
    • Dear Black Men
    • Cares Act
    • News & Announcements
  • Festival
  • Subscribe
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 · June 29, 2011October 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.”

Read More

Entertainment
‘Bridgerton’ Is Getting A Second Season
Health & Wellness
Tiffany Haddish Unveils Her Slimmed Down Figure After 30-Day...
Travel
10 Caribbean Resorts That Will Offer COVID-19 Testing In Res...
Op-Ed
Is America’s Racist Nightmare Over?
Entertainment
Chloe X Halle Talk 'Grown-Ish' Relationships And The Best Le...
COMPANY INFORMATION
  • Our Company
  • Customer Service
  • Essence Ventures
  • Change Your Address
  • Contact Us
  • Job Opportunities
  • Internships
  • Media Kit
  • tag
SUBSCRIBE
  • Newsletters
  • Give a Gift of ESSENCE
  • Magazine Tablet Edition
FOLLOW US
MORE ON ESSENCE
  • Home
  • Love
  • Celebrity
  • Beauty
  • Hair
  • Fashion
  • ESSENCE festival

ESSENCE.com is part of ESSENCE Communications, Inc.

Essence may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.

©2021 ESSENCE Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Essence.com Advertising Terms

Get The ESSENCE Newsletter and
Special Offers delivered to your inbox

By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Get The ESSENCE Magazine
by subscribing below
subscribe now