7. Beverly Johnson, 72
Like so many other entertainment industries, the modeling world is brutal when it comes to image. It’s long been a requirement for women to have tall and thin bodies to advance in the competitive career path. With that in mind, it was hard for Black women and plus-size women to get a shot in the field. Many models suffered from bulimia and even ate cotton balls to make themselves feel full so they wouldn’t eat.
Retired supermodel Beverly Johnson opened up about going as far as doing cocaine to stay thin.
She told Page Six in 2024, “We were led to believe that cocaine was not addictive. We didn’t know cocaine was addictive. Everyone used drugs back in the day but that particular drug for models was used because we did not eat.” She recalled, “I remember eating two eggs and a bowl of brown rice a week. I would be shaking in a cab, and I would say pull over because I have to get a bag of M&Ms. We did not eat, and every time you came to work they would say, ‘Yes! Chisel to the bone girl. Yes,’ like congratulating you. Nobody really told you the truth.”
RELATED CONTENT: 19 OG Black Plus-Size Models & Influencers Still Doing It Big
