Beverly Johnson When Beverly Johnson landed the cover of American Vogue in August 1974, she hardly understood the social significance of the moment. At 22 years old, Johnson was the first woman of color to grace the cover of the women's fashion mag. She soon realized how important that cover was -- and not just for her modeling career. The black beauty had not only been acknowledged in the mainstream, but celebrated. She continued her successful modeling career, appearing on the covers of more than 500 magazines. Post-modeling, Johnson sells a popular line of wigs and hair extensions and has explored several areas in the entertainment industry, from singing to acting. She's now a judge on TV Land's 'She's Got the Look,' an 'America's Next Top Model' for women 35 and older.

In honor of the 35th anniversary of her historic cover, Johnson spoke to Black Voices about what the accomplishment means to her now and what it meant to her back then, her daughter's plus-size modeling career and her hit reality show.
With all the talk about diversity in the modeling and fashion world and last year's historic all-black issue of Vogue Italia, do you think your 1974 Vogue cover takes on new meaning?

Yes. It's an interesting journey because, for myself, each year it becomes more significant, particularly this year. I would imagine a lot of it has to do with the election of the first African American president and Michelle Obama as a fashion icon, but it seems that the cover means more today than it did in 1974.

What did it mean to you then when you realized back in 1974 that you were going to be the first black woman on the cover of American Vogue?

As a fashion model, it was really exciting. I mean, I was thrilled! It is most certainly a highlight of my life. My daughter and that Vogue cover really defined who I am. And also, I embarked on this journey of self-discovery from that cover, because after finding out that I was the first woman of color to be on that cover, it angered me. I really wanted to take on that kind of responsibility. That cover meant so much to so many people, and I really felt responsible. I felt also that I really wanted to know about my heritage -- who I was, where I came from and where I was going.

So having your face on the cover was not just an eye-opening experience for Vogue's readers, it was one for you, too?

How I knew about the impact was around the globe people were trying to interview me -- from Africa from Sweden to all parts of the world -- about what that cover meant, that finally America is recognizing black beauty in the mainstream. I was just at the right place at the right time. I spoke to a number of black leaders because my journey took me there -- Shirley Chisholm, Jesse Jackson. They explained to me about Jackie Robinson and what he did in the baseball league, and what I did in the world of fashion. It has been quite a journey.


Your look has been described as all-American. Before you came along, I don't think the mainstream believed black women fit into that category. Do you think when you became a supermodel you changed, or at least added to, that definition?

We always were all-American, because we really don't know that much about our roots because of slavery. So we are more Americanized than anybody. We gave so much to American culture with music, art, fashion, sports and science. We were there contributing and we're never acknowledged. I think that is why [my Vogue cover] meant so much to myself and to my peers.


You've been on the cover of more than 500 magazines. In addition to the Vogue cover, do any others stand out as favorites?

I did more than 20 Glamour magazine covers within a three-year period, which meant that half the year, six months out the year, I was on the cover of Glamour magazine, and that's a white publication. So Glamour is where I got my start, and Glamour is still the largest fashion magazine today in the United States. So I would say Glamour and my work with Essence and my Ebony cover. I'll always love my Ebony cover. The list goes on and on.

Who are some of your favorite models, past and present?

Naomi Sims is my predecessor, and she's just a tremendous lady and great beauty. They did an exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York -- her photograph is displayed and mine. They did it for every decade. It's quite an exhibit to see the decades of the models. I love Naomi Campbell. I think she is maybe one of the greatest models of this century. I love Christie Turlington. I have a lot of favorites.

Your daughter Anansa is a plus-size model. What do you think made her decide to follow in your footsteps? Were you worried about the pressures of the industry?

My daughter is a global financial analyst. She went into the modeling business at 17, because she graduated two years early, and she didn't like it. She was hungry, and she just didn't have the temperament for the business. So she went back to school and got her MBA, and it was only until last year that I got a guess-where-I-am kind of phone call. Immediately, I thought she was pregnant, but she said, "No, I joined Wilhelmina models, and I'm a plus-size model!" She is just one of my heroes. She's got what I've been trying to get for decades. Just loving yourself and loving your body the way God made it. I think she is just such a tremendous young lady, and she has that MBA to fall back on.

Tell us about your show, 'She's Got the Look.' What made you decide to get involved in reality TV?

It's so funny, because I don't really think of it as reality TV. It's about the modeling business, so it's like my world. So it's like reality for me -- really reality. I had judged on 'America's Next Top Model' with Tyra Banks, and it was great. I adore her. She's one of my most favorite people in the world. But when I heard [about 'She's Got the Look'], I went in and spoke with the producer. We just hit it off. I knew it was going to be really good, but I didn't know it was going to be as big as it is. It just took off. There's a whole market of women who need to be addressed as far as Madison Avenue, and also it's about second chances. You see those girls who gave up their careers to start a family or to go back to school or to do all those things that I thought about but decided to give up for my career. And now they have a chance to fulfill those dreams. It's a great show. I must say I am really impressed [with the talent and beauty of the contestants]. Some of them were too young looking to be over 35, and then the oldest contestant was 72 years old. You know, the women get more and more beautiful.