Biography: Beverly Johnson

Beverly Johnson (born October 13, 1952) is an American supermodel and actress. She made history when she rose to fame as the first African-American model to appear on the cover of Vogue in 1974.

Biography

Born into a middle class family in Buffalo, New York, Johnson was a champion swimmer in her youth and aspired to be a lawyer. She was studying criminal justice at Northeastern University when, at the suggestion of friends, she tried her hand at modeling. She quickly landed an assignment with Glamour magazine and began working steadily.^{Johnson would go on to grace more than 500 magazine covers including her groundbreaking Vogue cover in August 1974. Johnson's appearance on the cover changed the beauty ideal in fashion and by 1975, every major American fashion designer began using African American models.}

In addition to modeling, Johnson has also authored a book, Beverly Johnson's Guide to a Life of Health and Beauty^{, and embarked on an acting career.She has also had roles in Ashanti (1979), The Meteor Man (1993), Def Jam's How to Be a Player (1997), and Crossroads (2002). She has also appeared in guest spots on several television series including Law & Order, Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, and The Parent 'Hood.}

In 2008, Johnson served as a celebrity judge on the first season of the TV Land series, She's Got the Look, a reality series where women over 35 compete for a modeling contract and magazine spread.

Personal life

At age 19, Johnson married real estate agent Billy Potter. The marriage lasted three years, ending in 1974. In 1977, she married music publisher Danny Sims. They have one daughter together, Anansa, who is now a plus size model. Sims and Johnson divorced in 1978.

In 1995, Johnson dated actor Chris Noth. The couple broke up three years later.

In the early 1990s, Johnson revealed that during her modeling career, she suffered from both bulimia and anorexia.

Filmography

References

1. "The Body Game", People (1993-01-11). Retrieved on 15 August 2008. 
2. Murray, Nubia (2008-07). "Beverly Johnson showcases timeless beauty", Ebony. Retrieved on 15 August 2008. 
3. Gross, Michael (2003). Model: The Ugly Business of Beautiful Women, HarperCollins. pp. 239. ISBN 0-060-54163-6. 
4. "Beverly Johnson: Official Biography". amekor.com. Retrieved on 2008-08-15.
5. ^ Levitt, Shelley (1992-08-10). "Like Mother, Like..", People. Retrieved on 15 August 2008. 
6. Moss, Marilyn (2008-06-02). "TV Review: She's Got the Look". hollywoodreporter.com. Retrieved on 2008-08-15.
7. ^ Lee, Luaine (2008-06-02). "Model Beverly Johnson still has "The Look"". denverpost.com. Retrieved on 2008-08-15.
8. Tucker, Ken (1998-11-06). "Noth's Side Now" 2. Retrieved on 2008-08-15.