Naomi Campbell was just 15 years old when she started modeling.
![A younger Naomi Campbell on the runway, wearing a strapless dress with a white flower and black bow, adorned with sequins](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2024-07/2/14/asset/dfd14c008338/sub-buzz-3903-1719930537-3.jpg?downsize=700%3A%2A&output-quality=auto&output-format=auto)
Throughout her teen years, Naomi made history as the first Black model to appear on the cover of Vogue France and Vogue US.
![Naomi Campbell in a sparkling strapless dress at an event, looking off-camera](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2024-07/2/14/asset/caa77d375a68/sub-buzz-2772-1719930626-4.jpg?downsize=700%3A%2A&output-quality=auto&output-format=auto)
The now-54-year-old has long been open about the discrimination she’s faced in the modeling industry. Today, as well as being deemed a global fashion industry icon, she’s frequently praised for paving the way for Black models in high fashion.
Now, Naomi is opening up about being bullied and teased over her appearance when she was younger.
![Naomi Campbell on the red carpet in a sleek, sequined dress adorned with pearls](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2024-07/2/14/asset/d97795073d1a/sub-buzz-2726-1719930716-2.jpg)
“I wasn’t at ease with myself because I was very skinny and quite tall for my age,” she said.
![A teen Naomi Campbell walks the runway in a shimmering dress and beret](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2024-07/2/14/asset/812d66168c3f/sub-buzz-488-1719930963-1.jpg)
“My class, they used to call me Olive Oyl,” she said, referring to the cartoon character Popeye’s girlfriend.
![Naomi Campbell on a runway wearing a strapless, form-fitting, black and white striped dress and black ankle boots](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2024-07/2/14/asset/f811d269489d/sub-buzz-2829-1719930977-1.jpg)
“My neck’s quite long, so I used to try to shrug my neck down so it wouldn’t be so long. I felt awkward,” she added.
![Naomi Campbell in a fitted strapless leather top with matching gloves and a draped scarf, at a fashion event. She is posing confidently](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2024-07/2/14/asset/dfd14c008338/sub-buzz-3930-1719931053-1.jpg)
Naomi explained that her passion for dancing eventually helped her embrace her physique. “Dance would make me forget about that,” she said.
“I just would pose the movements and the poses that I did for dance, and that got me through. And creativity, too. It’s something that I loved and yeah, that will never change with me. I feel that’s something that’s really part of my DNA,” she said.