Naomi Campbell
(Picture: Dave Benett)Naomi Campbell has cited Nelson Mandela as the reason for her diversity and inclusion campaigns in the fashion industry. At the Variety Showbusiness Awards last night, Campbell said: “I knew Tata [Mandela] for twenty years and he influenced my commitment to do service.”
Remembering her early career, Campbell said, “I had to give 110%, not 100%, as I knew that being a woman of colour, I had a lot more to prove.” She hopes to reform the fashion world, which she describes as “reluctant” to change, through her projects like the Diversity Coalition. Her Variety Award was given in recognition of these efforts.
Runway royal Campbell also presented an award to British Vogue Editor-in-Chief, Edward Enninful. She confessed she was “very nervous” at the start of her speech. If only had consulted with actual royal Princess Beatrice, who delivered a speech cooly.
The immaculate Amanda Holden hosted the star-studded ceremony at the London Hilton, Park Lane and many big names from TV, film and fashion were there. Fiona Bruce presented an award, though not before Holden patted her on the posterior, telling the audience how perky it looked in Bruce’s sparkly jumpsuit.
Katherine Jenkins performed God Save The King and later accepted an award for her contribution to the music industry. “I don’t know what’s more nerve-wracking: speaking in front of all of you or waiting to hear who’s scored first in the Wales match!” she joked.
The BBC’s favourite fringe, Claudia Winkleman, made an appearance to present an award. She came straight from a whirlwind 48 hours in Blackpool where she hosted Strictly Come Dancing over the weekend. “The props boys on Strictly, by the way, deserve… next year Jonathan can we give them an award? They are carrying pretend gazebos, Eiffel Towers, they run in, they run out,” she appealed to Jonathan Shalit, Variety’s chair.
Winkleman then told the audience about her first job at the BBC: “I remember the first time I was employed by the BBC. I phoned my Dad, I was crying, he was crying, and I said, ‘I’ve got a job at the BBC!’ and he said ‘Oh, it’s all been worthwhile! What is it?’ and I said, ‘I’m doing a documentary series on BBC Three...called Toilets.’” The crowd laughed and Winkleman warned: “Don’t watch it. Ever.”
Less accustomed to the teleprompter was Simon Cowell’s wife Lauren Silverman, who announced his award in a speech in which she admitted her “fear” of being onstage. Still, Simon said Silverman “upstaged” him with her words and commended the BBC for being an “incredible organisation.”
