By Nola Ojomu, Senior Entertainment Reporter, Dailymail.Com
Updated September 21, 2023 22:11, September 21, 2023 22:17
- Christie, 54, was punished for gaining weight at the peak of her career
- The fashion star was then inspired to focus on her education instead
- Mother-of-two speaks with fellow supermodels in new documentary
Christy Turlington has told of the shocking moment she was removed from a Paris runway show because she had “gained a little weight” after quitting smoking.
Christie, the 54-year-old fashion icon, has become one of the most successful models of all time thanks to her cover girl looks and enviable body shape, but in the Apple TV+ docuseries Supermodels, the 26-year-old Christie has revealed how she was punished for a slight change of heart. She is at her weight.
“I remember in 1996 when I was in Paris for haute couture. I had put on a little weight because I had quit smoking… and I was released from the show,” the mother-of-two recalled.
But instead of feeling pressured to embark on a diet or change her fitness regime, Christie decided to step back from her full-time modeling career and focus on her education.
She explained: “I remember feeling like, ‘Well, I can’t let this make me feel bad. I just made a decision for myself, and this is probably one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.’ I am.”
“So maybe now is the time. I don’t want to expose myself any further.”
The supermodel attended New York University and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in comparative religion and oriental philosophy.
The model spoke passionately about her college experience, claiming it was “the most important period of my life.”
She said: “This period was the most important few years of my life, because during this time I was able to really invest in myself and my future self.”
“I found a lot of inspiration to do a lot of other things. It’s been a really great four years.”
Christie’s decision to quit smoking was all the more poignant since her father was diagnosed with lung cancer because of his weight two years after Christie left the show.
Dwayne Turlington passed away at the age of 63, six months after his diagnosis. Christie’s death inspired her to develop the habit of smoking for the first time in her teens and to become an anti-smoking activist.
Elsewhere in the Apple TV+ docuseries, the runway legend opens up about her innovative career path alongside fellow supermodels Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford and Linda Evangelista.
This documentary chronicles the rise of women who made millions, dated movie stars, and cemented their supermodel status after the iconic 1990 music video for George Michael’s song “Freedom.” I’m drawing.
It will be the first time all four surviving icons (Tatiana Patitz died of breast cancer earlier this year) will come together to discuss the phenomenon in depth.
While the series revels in the women’s extraordinary beauty, it also doesn’t shy away from the uglier issues they faced, such as domestic violence and racial inequality.
Linda, who is usually modest, tearfully reveals that she has become ugly due to a failed cosmetic surgery.
The Canadian beauty also shared claims that she was abused by ex-husband Gerard Marie during their five-year marriage.
Cindy recalled feeling like a “talker” during an uncomfortable interview with Oprah Winfrey in 1986, while Naomi was photographed suffering from “hot flashes” during a photo shoot for a documentary series. , revealed that she is nearing menopause.
The British model also spoke candidly about how her grief and childhood abandonment issues played a big role in her battle with substance abuse.
Supermodels is available to stream on Apple TV+