Puerto Rican supermodel Joan Smalls recently addressed a racist comment aimed at her by a Senior Manager at IGM Models via her Instagram account. In her post, which included a tag to the agency, Smalls, who holds the distinction of being Estée Lauder Cosmetics’ first Latina ambassador, recounted an incident where the unnamed manager labeled her as a “dumb Puerto Rican.”
“I’m a proud, multiracial individual. I am deeply disturbed and offended by the racist remark made against me by a ‘Senior Manager @igmmodels,’” Smalls articulated. “Their description of me as a ‘dumb Puerto Rican’ is intolerable and should not be part of professional dialogue.”
“This isn’t the first instance where I’ve faced a racist comment,” she went on to say. “Early in my career, another agent in Paris used the N-word on me. They said, ‘Karl Lagerfeld would never book a N** for this campaign…’ when I secured a Chanel campaign. Those words still resonate with me.”
Nevertheless, Smalls emphasized that she will no longer remain quiet about such issues. “I can’t continue to ignore the hate and discrimination prevalent in an industry that professes inclusivity and openness,” she stated, adding, “Racism and discrimination are baseless, and I will not accept such derogatory language aimed at my ethnicity and intellect.”
The response to Smalls’ Instagram post has been largely supportive, with celebrities such as Ricky Martin encouraging her, “Speak up and be loud Joan. ENOUGH! Teach them a lesson,” while Gabrielle Union expressed, “Proud of you and we stand beside you!! Let’s see what accountability and consequences look like!” South African model Candice Swanepoel also contributed a lengthy comment, concluding with, “Proud of you for speaking up. We all know the culprits.”
As of now, IMG Models has yet to respond to the allegations raised by Joan Smalls.
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