Anna Wintour Shades Naomi Campbell for Being Late While Presenting Award, Model Claps Back in Her Speech
It seems like there may be some bad blood between Anna Wintour and Naomi Campbell.
The fashion icons were both in attendance at the 2024 Harlem’s Fashion Row Fashion Show & Style Awards on Tuesday night (September 3) in New York City.
Anna was there to present Naomi with the Fashion Icon Award, but the model hadn’t yet arrived at the event when the Vogue boss took to the stage.
During her speech, Anna threw a little bit of shade at Naomi for being late, and then Naomi seemingly clapped back in her speech.
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“I am a very punctual person, and I have the honor of presenting tonight to someone who is often late,” Anna said during her intro, according to the New York Post.
Anna reportedly left the event after her speech, before Naomi had arrived. A source claimed to the outlet that Naomi wasn’t actually late though, as her speech was scheduled for 7:27pm and she arrived at 7:26pm.
The source said Anna‘s speech was scheduled for 7:15pm and she left the venue just as Naomi was leaving. While Naomi didn’t hear the speech, it seems someone informed her of Anna‘s comments because she seemingly responded in her speech.
“Yes, Naomi’s always late, but I believe in my high power, and I want to thank my higher power for having me be here,” she said. “It’s so important that I’m here today, and I’m honored to be here in Harlem. Everything’s going to work out the way it’s going to work out. It wasn’t my choice to have the other lady. I’d much rather have this.”
The “this” who Naomi referred to was reportedly Harper’s Bazaar editor-in-chief Samira Nasr, who gave a second introduction.
She added, “I have to speak my truth. I’ve always been unapologetically truthful, right? So why should I change it now at this age?”
After her speech, Anna went directly to the U.S. Open to watch the tennis matches.
Naomi did thank Anna as she “did take the time to come here and give me the award even though I wasn’t here.”
She added, “So thank you, Anna Wintour, for your support in my career from 1987, meeting a young black girl from South London in British Vogue offices and taking a chance in giving me a shoot. And so I thank you for your influence and your continuing support in pushing fashion forward also.”
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