Cindy Crawford Says 1988 Oprah Interview Was ‘Not OK’
By Extra-Ordinary Women
Cindy Crawford takes a nostalgic journey down memory lane in the Apple TV+ docuseries “The Super Models,” which premiered on September 20. In this series, the iconic supermodel delves into the early days of her modeling career, with a particular focus on her debut appearance on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” back in 1986. Looking back at the episode, Crawford candidly shares her less-than-favorable impression of the exchange that unfolded on that memorable day.
Recalling the 1986 episode, Crawford expressed her sentiments, stating, “I was like the chattel or a child, be seen and not heard,” as she discussed her appearance in the docuseries.
The episode in question features a youthful Cindy Crawford standing before Oprah Winfrey’s studio audience. At that time, Crawford was just 20 years old and had not yet solidified her status as a fashion industry powerhouse. Seated beside her for the interview was John Casablancas, the founder of Elite Modeling Agency and her agent at the time.
During the interview segment, Oprah directed most of her questions about Crawford to Casablancas, seemingly sidelining the young model. She asked Casablancas about grooming Crawford and whether she had always possessed her enviable figure. Oprah even prompted Crawford to stand up for the audience to get a better look at her physique, exclaiming, “This is what I call a body.” Crawford obliged and later clarified that she didn’t weigh a mere 100 pounds.
Oprah’s questions continued to focus on Casablancas, asking if he had been involved in Crawford’s training. While the interview was removed from Oprah’s YouTube channel, it remains available on her website.
In “The Super Models,” Cindy Crawford acknowledges that with a modern perspective, she views the interview differently. She remarks, “When you look at it through today’s eyes, Oprah’s like, ‘Stand up and show me your body,’ showing us why you’re worthy of being here. In the moment, I didn’t recognize it. And watching it back, I was like, ‘Oh, my gosh. That was so not OK, really.’ Especially from Oprah.”
TODAY.com reached out to Oprah Winfrey and her team for comment, but they have not responded to the matter.
Despite the initial interview, Cindy Crawford would go on to appear on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” ten more times, and she was also featured as a guest on “Master Class,” which aired on the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) in 2013.
“The Super Models” is currently available for streaming on Apple TV+. This four-part docuseries, which premiered on September 20, offers an insightful look into the modeling industry of the 1980s, featuring Cindy Crawford and fellow supermodels Naomi Campbell, Christy Turlington, and Linda Evangelista as they reflect on their early career stardom.
