Podcast Summary: "Beverly Johnson: IN VOGUE"

Podcast: All Of It with Alison Stewart
Guest: Beverly Johnson
Original Air Date: January 12, 2024
Location: WNYC Studios, Soho, NYC

Overview

This episode of All Of It centers on an in-depth conversation with Beverly Johnson, the trailblazing supermodel who, in August 1974, became the first Black woman to appear on the cover of American Vogue. In a thoughtful exchange with host Alison Stewart, Johnson reflects on her groundbreaking career, personal triumphs and trials, her influence on representation in fashion, and her current one-woman show, “Beverly Johnson IN VOGUE.” The discussion ranges from childhood aspirations and early racial barriers to her outspoken advocacy for models and survivors of sexual misconduct.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Childhood Aspirations and Early Influences

[02:02–04:08]

• Johnson's Early Ambitions: Wanted to be a lawyer or Supreme Court judge, influenced by watching the Civil Rights Movement on TV with her father.
• Competitive Swimming: Part of the first Black swim team in Buffalo; experienced racism firsthand while competing in the 1950s.
  • “It really gave me, you know, the confidence. You know, competition is… Can be very, very healthy.” – Beverly Johnson, [02:48]

2. Family, Upbringing, and Value System

[04:14–05:28]

• Parents were hardworking and disciplined; father worked in a steel mill, mother became a surgical technician.
• Core values imparted: discipline, self-respect, dignity, and perseverance.

3. Beginning of a Modeling Career

[05:33–07:58]

• First Suggestion to Model: Prompted by Mimi at a local shop in Buffalo; Johnson initially dismissed the idea.
• Financial Motivation: Compared a model's hourly wage ($75/hr) to her father’s weekly earnings.
• First Jobs: Began with Glamour; soon progressed to shoots for Vogue.

4. Diversity and Competition in Modeling

[07:33–10:00]

• The 1970s had a considerable presence of Black models and even Black modeling agencies, marking a shift from civil rights progress.
• Johnson pays tribute to predecessors like Naomi Sims for paving the way and demonstrating grace in the face of competition.
  • “I said to myself at that moment, I'm going to welcome the girls that are coming up behind me the same way she welcomed me.” – Beverly Johnson, [08:42]

5. The Iconic Vogue Cover and Industry Barriers

[10:00–11:59]

• Eileen Ford Incident: Johnson left Ford Models after Eileen Ford told her she’d "never be on the cover of Vogue." She joined Wilhelmina, got the cover, and later mended fences with Ford.
  • “She said, you'll never be on the cover of Vogue magazine. Who do you think you are, Cleopatra?” – Beverly Johnson, [10:46]
  • “I wrote a beautiful letter… And I went to Wilhelmina. We got the cover. I stayed with Wilhelmina about six months, and then I went back to Eileen Ford.” – Beverly Johnson, [11:18]
• Emphasizes not burning bridges and learning from strong women leaders.

6. Impact of the Vogue Cover on Representation

[13:06–15:12]

• Johnson didn’t initially realize the significance until journalists began asking her about being “the first.”
• Understood the global importance of her cover, opening the doors at Madison Avenue and being dubbed “the Jackie Robinson of the Modeling Industry.”
  • “It gave Madison Avenue the opportunity to use black people because before, they didn't even see us… It's a pretty powerful cover and still is.” – Beverly Johnson, [14:34]

7. Fame and Highs/Lows of Modeling Life

[15:13–16:33]

• Stories of celebrity encounters (Elizabeth Taylor), glamorous life, and a harrowing misadventure stranded in Europe.
  • “I was left in Europe with no money and no passport and I had to get back to America… by the grace of God.” – Beverly Johnson, [15:40–16:27]

8. Personal Struggles and Resilience

[16:38–18:46]

• Candid about her marriages, loss of custody of her daughter, and rebuilding her life.
• Acting became part of her healing, notably portraying a feisty Black property owner on stage.
  • “I used to be on my hands and knees at night just praying… And once again, by the grace of God, I managed to get out of it.” – Beverly Johnson, [17:04]

9. The Creative Process and Professionalism in Modeling

[18:46–20:29]

• The dynamic between models and photographers is about co-creation, not a personal relationship.
  • “It's not really between the photographer and you. It's between what we're creating, what that photograph is going to look like.” – Beverly Johnson, [19:49]
• Modeling is a skill and a performance art; Johnson studied opera, dance, and theater to inform her modeling.

10. Speaking Out Against Bill Cosby

[20:57–23:27]

• Her show opens with an expletive shout aimed at Bill Cosby, referenced as “MFer,” due to his predatory behavior.
• Johnson explains her decision to go public after being drugged (but not raped) by Cosby—driven by conscience, solidarity, and the need to “woman up” and use her voice.
  • “I couldn’t sleep. I couldn’t live with myself if I didn't say what happened to me… And it really changed my life. In a way of every corner of my life, I felt my power.” – Beverly Johnson, [21:36–22:48]
  • “If I hadn't had that big mouth, I would have been raped.” – Beverly Johnson, [22:52]

11. Evolution and Challenges in Today’s Modeling Industry

[23:28–25:45]

• Praises organizations like the Model Alliance for advocating for model’s rights, legal reform, and industry transparency.
  • “They want to make modeling or the fashion industry a legitimate industry…because there is quite a bit of abuse in the industry.” – Beverly Johnson, [24:36]
• Expresses hope for greater inclusivity, respect for individuality, and self-expression in the industry, alongside ongoing concerns about exploitation and lack of structure.

12. Reflection, Healing, and Sharing Her Journey

[27:28–28:15]

• Creating her one-woman show has been a process of reflection and resilience, allowing Johnson to revisit both the painful and beautiful parts of her life.
  • “I can revisit the good and great events… and some of the worst events in my life and be okay… whatever it is, you know you can survive it. And if you don't survive it, you fought hard to survive it.” – Beverly Johnson, [27:32]

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On Civil Rights Inspiration:
  • “I was very much affected by the civil rights movement…at that moment is when I said I wanted to be a lawyer.” – Beverly Johnson, [02:08]
• On Value of Competition:
  • “You keep your head down…you want to touch the wall first. And I think that kind of training really helped me in the world of modeling.” – Beverly Johnson, [03:42]
• On Modeling as a Profession:
  • “Modeling is a skill set…it takes a skill set.” – Alison Stewart, [20:17]
• On the Power of Representation:
  • “And it gave Madison Avenue the opportunity to use black people because before, they didn’t even see us.” – Beverly Johnson, [14:34]
• On Speaking Up About Assault:
  • “I made it out there alive to say I mean, I had an angel on my shoulder that day…my conscience. I just—I couldn’t sleep. I couldn’t live with myself if I didn’t say what happened to me.” – Beverly Johnson, [21:36]
• On Surviving Hard Times:
  • “Most certainly my daughter, without a doubt… I got myself not in hot water water. I got myself in fire.” – Beverly Johnson, [17:04]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Beverly’s childhood ambitions and civil rights influence: [02:02–04:08]
• Family and the values that shaped her: [04:14–05:28]
• Modeling origins and financial motivations: [05:33–07:58]
• Diversity in the industry in the 1970s: [07:33–08:58]
• Naomi Sims and paying it forward: [08:12–08:50]
• Leaving Eileen Ford, getting the Vogue cover: [10:00–11:59]
• Significance and repercussions of the Vogue cover: [13:06–15:12]
• Highs and lows of celebrity modeling life: [15:13–16:33]
• Personal struggles and resilience: [16:38–18:46]
• Professionalism and creative process: [19:49–20:39]
• Speaking out on Bill Cosby & finding her power: [20:57–23:27]
• Current state and future of modeling industry: [23:28–26:16]
• Impact of sharing her journey: [27:28–28:15]

Tone and Takeaways

The conversation is candid, warm, and deeply reflective, blending Johnson’s signature humor and vulnerability. She openly recounts both career triumphs and tribulations, offers industry wisdom, acknowledges the ongoing challenges faced by models today, and stresses the importance of advocacy, representation, and self-respect.

Her legacy extends far beyond a magazine cover: Beverly Johnson remains a role model for resilience, self-advocacy, and paving the way for underrepresented voices.

"Beverly Johnson IN VOGUE" runs at Act 2 Playhouse, 59 E 59th St, New York City, through February 4th.

Host: Alison Stewart
Guest: Beverly Johnson
Listen on: WNYC All Of It website
Episode Date: January 12, 2024