Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to Naomi Campbell

Controversies are a part of history. Explore the biggest scandals linked to Naomi Campbell.

Naomi Campbell is a highly successful British fashion model who began her career at a young age. She is recognized as one of the original supermodels and a pioneer for black models in the fashion industry. Notably, she was the first black woman to grace the covers of Time and Vogue France, solidifying her impact and influence.

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Full Timeline Controversies & Scandals

1993: Vogue Cover Appearances and Catwalk Fall

In 1993, Naomi Campbell appeared twice on the cover of American Vogue and fell on the Vivienne Westwood catwalk. Elite Model Management dropped her contract the same year.

1997: Receipt of Blood Diamonds

In 1997, Naomi Campbell received "blood diamonds" from unknown men, assumed to be sent by Charles Taylor, in Cape Town, South Africa. She later gave the diamonds to Jeremy Ractliffe as a donation to the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund.

September 1998: Convicted of Assaulting Personal Assistant

In September 1998, Naomi Campbell was convicted of assaulting her personal assistant, marking the first of several assault convictions.

1999: Entered Rehabilitation for Cocaine Addiction

In 1999, Naomi Campbell entered rehabilitation for cocaine addiction and then she joined Alcoholics Anonymous to get sober.

2002: Breach of Confidentiality Lawsuit Win

In 2002, Naomi Campbell won a breach of confidentiality lawsuit against the Daily Mirror after they published a photograph of her leaving a Narcotics Anonymous meeting. The High Court ordered £3,500 in damages from the Daily Mirror.

January 2007: Pleaded Guilty to Assaulting Housekeeper

In January 2007, Naomi Campbell pleaded guilty to assaulting her former housekeeper. She notably wore designer outfits to her community service, including a Dolce & Gabbana gown.

June 2008: Sentenced for Assaulting Police Officers

In June 2008, Naomi Campbell was sentenced for assaulting two police officers at London Heathrow Airport, adding to her record of assault convictions.

May 2010: Alleged Email Exchange with Saif Gaddafi

In May 2010, an alleged email exchange between Naomi Campbell and Saif Gaddafi surfaced, in which Campbell reportedly described Ghislaine Maxwell as a "great friend" and inquired about arranging a visit to Libya for Maxwell.

August 2010: Appearance at Charles Taylor Trial

In August 2010, Naomi Campbell appeared at the trial of former Liberian president Charles Taylor to give evidence on "blood diamonds" she received from him in 1997. South African police seized the diamonds from Jeremy Ractliffe on August 5, 2010.

2010: Discussed Rehabilitation for Cocaine Addiction

In a 2010 interview for British Vogue, Naomi Campbell revealed that she entered rehabilitation for cocaine addiction in 1999 and subsequently joined Alcoholics Anonymous to get sober.

July 2015: Found Guilty of Assaulting Paparazzo

In July 2015, Naomi Campbell was found guilty of assaulting a paparazzo in Rome, adding to her history of assault convictions.

2017: Save the Children Fund Complaint

In 2017, Save the Children Fund complained about Fashion for Relief's failure to fully pay them proceeds from events. This was one of the issues raised with the Charity Commission.

2018: Mayor's Fund for London Complaint

In 2018, the Mayor's Fund for London complained about Fashion for Relief's failure to fully pay them proceeds from events. This was one of the issues raised with the Charity Commission.

August 2019: Addressed Relationship with Jeffrey Epstein

In August 2019, Naomi Campbell addressed her relationship with Jeffrey Epstein on her YouTube channel, stating she was introduced to him by Flavio Briatore and that she stands with Epstein's victims. Her claims were disputed by Virginia Roberts Giuffre.

2019: Fashion for Relief Event at British Museum

In 2019, Fashion for Relief held an event at the British Museum claimed to be held in partnership with UNICEF. UNICEF denied any partnership and stated they received no money. Questions were raised as to why Campbell was described as a UNICEF "envoy" when she held no official role. Complaints from Save the Children Fund and the Mayor's Fund for London arose over unpaid proceeds from events held in 2017 and 2018.

July 2021: Condemned Racist Attacks on Black England Football Players

In July 2021, Naomi Campbell condemned racist attacks directed at black players on the England national football team, including Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford, and Jadon Sancho, after their defeat in the UEFA Euro 2020 final. She expressed her disgust via an Instagram post.

2021: Charity Commission Investigation into Fashion Relief

In 2021, a Charity Commission investigation was launched into Fashion Relief.

July 2022: Fashion for Relief spent only 8.5% of its income on charitable grants between April 2016 and July 2022.

Between April 2016 and July 2022, Fashion for Relief spent only 8.5% of its income on charitable grants, while making unauthorised payments to other trustees and advisors. These included paying for Campbell's stay at a five-star hotel in Cannes, France, as well as spa treatments, room service, security and cigarettes.

2022: Report on Alleged Email Exchange with Saif Gaddafi

In 2022, The Guardian reported on an alleged email exchange from May 2010 between Naomi Campbell and Saif Gaddafi, in which Campbell described Maxwell as a "great friend" and inquired about arranging a visit to Libya for Maxwell. Campbell's spokesperson disputed the authenticity of the emails.

2023: Removed as Trustee from Fashion For Relief

In 2023, following the Charity Commission investigation, Naomi Campbell was removed as a trustee from the Fashion For Relief charity.

March 2024: Fashion For Relief Closed

On March 15, 2024, Fashion For Relief, a charity founded by Naomi Campbell, was closed by the Charity Commission following an investigation.

September 2024: Charity Trustee Ban

In September 2024, Naomi Campbell was banned from being a trustee of any charity in the United Kingdom for five years following a misconduct investigation. The investigation revealed that her charity spent only 8.5% of its income on charitable grants and made unauthorised payments, including for Campbell's stay at a five-star hotel.

September 2024: Banned as Charity Trustee in the UK

In September 2024, Naomi Campbell was banned from serving as a charity trustee in the UK for five years. This ban followed an investigation that revealed "multiple instances of misconduct and/or mismanagement" within Fashion for Relief between April 2016 and July 2022.