They were on AppleTV’s mini-series “The Supermodels”, they were the featured faces in George Michael’s “Freedom” video, and they were name-checked by RuPaul in his hit song “Supermodel”.  Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell, Linda Evangelista, and Christy Turlington. 

CINDY CRAWFORD 

I really WAS a long time Cindy fan, like many people of my generation.  It’s funny to think that I was SO MUCH looking forward to Cindy’s movie “Fair Game” in 1995 and that I went to a DRIVE-IN to see it.  The Pepsi commercial, the Richard Gere marriage, the cover of Vanity Fair where she’s shaving k.d. lang – all of it – I was there for Cindy Crawford!  Click here for my Cindy Crawford in-person story and to see some of the collectibles and autographs of her that I’ve accumulated over the years. 

NAOMI CAMPBELL 

Naomi to me is an enigma. And a trip. So much tabloid fodder. Throwing cell phones at assistants. Or not.  A face that is stunning, but which has morphed a great deal, probably with some “medical assistance”.  Or not. Becoming a mom to children who just appear on her Instagram with no birth details or background given – all of which is none of our business – thank you very much.   

And let’s not forget about “Swan” her book which is a fictional story that portrays the ups-and-downs of 5 fashion models and their rise to the top.  Well, they always say write what you know about. 

She may be many things and always surprising us, but as the supermodel who appeared nude in Madonna’s controversial “Sex” book and sung on “Everybody Get Loose” with Vanilla Ice.

And let’s not forget about her in Michael Jackson’s “In the Closet” video – Naomi is firmly embedded in my MTV-era memory vault. Her autograph though = face palm emoji. 

LINDA EVANGELISTA 

Linda Evangelista sticks out in my mind for the blonde short haired look that she had for a while, which I thought was absolutely stunning.  She seems to be perpetually taunted by her comment “We don’t wake up for less than $10,000 a day”. (I don’t hate it.) Mostly, I feel strong compassion for this beauty. Watching her bravely address the truth behind her abusive marriage, the Cool-Sculpting surgery that she so deeply regrets, and which disfigured her body, along with her many health-related surgeries and breast cancer was simply touching.  It wasn’t a pity party.  It was just facts and honesty – and I admire her so much more for that.  I’m lucky to have her rare autograph; even though it’s not perfectly clear.  Sometimes pens fail you at the only chance you get! 

CHRISTY TURLINGTON & EDWARD BURNS 

I remember when Christy Turlington got married to Edward Burns here in San Francisco and drove by the church a short time thereafter; just to see where this “celebrity couple” got married.  Obviously, I knew who she was at the peak of her fame when she was all over the place as a Calvin Klein model and Eternity spokesperson – those commercials seemed to be on all the time! But in general, she was a benign, gentle “just another model” to me. 

I saw her husband Edward Burns (from “Saving Private Ryan”) in an airport at the gate, waiting for a flight.  He was sitting on the floor, away from the crowd; wearing a baseball cap with his face buried in a book.  He knew that I recognized him, but his crystal-clear gaze back at me was not the usual celebrity quarry quickly-avert.  It was human and just a glance between people who actually look at other people and acknowledge.  It is one of the few times that I did not approach a celebrity for an autograph.  It was just unspoken that I would acknowledge his privacy since nobody else recognized him.  After seeing Christy in The Supermodels, I can see how these two authentic, yet supremely genetically gifted individuals came to be together and why they have been together for over 25 years.