When we think of supermodels, we secretly paint pictures of glamorous creatures in high-heels, ruling the runway by the day and travelling in limousines by star-lit nights – their coupette glasses running over the brim, their never-ending legs notwithstanding even as they hop from one party to another accompanied by their notoriously wealthy boyfriends – laughing and making merry for a living. They are the queens of the stage and the elite world of glossy magazines – they are the ones who don’t wake up for less than $10,000 a day. However, the term “supermodel” seems to have taken on a different meaning than it did in the 90’s. Today, it is more about using social media followings to bolster success than casting your ethereal charm on the runway.

Veterans argue that for the present generation of “supermodels”, opportunities to walk in famous shows, practically gift-wrap themselves at their disposal – all credits to their Insta-presence. “These girls are not Linda Evangelistas… these girls are not magic,” says fashion commentator Robert Verdi. “They have the Instagram following. In another day, these girls are not real models…They are rich kids in style.” Calvin Klein too went on record to criticize the likes of Kendall Jenner and Gigi Hadid, saying that these days models are just paid for their followers and have no real talent to offer. Here are 15 such women, who we think, should have never been considered supermodels.

15 Gigi Hadid Isn't A "True Supermodel"

Born as Jelena Noura “Gigi” Hadid to former model Yolanda Hadid and real estate developer Mohamed Hadid, her modelling career began when she was only two years old after being discovered by Paulo Marciano of Guess clothing. She began working as a professional model by the time she was 16 (in 2011) and was named the face of a Guess campaign in 2012 – and there has been no looking back for Gigi, who has a whopping 35.6 million followers on Instagram to date. However, according to a number of industry veterans, Gigi owes her fame to her followers because she has nothing to attain this “supermodel” status. In an interview with Entertainment Tonight X-Men actress Rebecca Romjin blatantly stated: “Hate it that these, you know, social media stars are now supermodels in fashion. They are not true supermodels.” Looking at this disheveled picture of Hadid, we do somewhat agree!

14 Somebody Gift Cara Delevingne A Washing Machine

Cara Delevingne has made a name for herself as the face of the Burberry campaign and has been seen on the runways of designers, ranging from Victoria’s Secret to Fendi. These days, she is also an actress and has 40.7 million followers on Instagram. Yet, there is something so aesthetically off-putting about the Suicide Squad star’s poise that she never truly comes across as the ideal supermodel. She sees nothing wrong with wearing tracksuit bottoms in the car or shabby pyjamas at the supermarket. Sure, dressing casually is comfortable but the least you can do is to make sure that your clothes don’t look like they are alien to concept of a washing machine – that too if you are supermodel going by the name of Cara Delevigne! And pulling peculiar faces don’t help either!

13 Kendall Jenner Does Not "Deserve Wings"

A lot of industry veterans were not pleased when Kendall Jenner became part of the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show in Paris – because not only did she walk the ramp for the coveted brand, she also had the privilege to do so in a pair of wings. Walking with wings is considered a pretty big deal among the modelling fraternity and many felt that Jenner has done nothing to deserve it. From Rebecca Romjin to Kim Alexis, senior models openly stated their disapproval, saying that she doesn’t even hold a real portfolio of modelling experience – and, that Instagram followers should never be considered a parameter for measuring talent. Even VS fans were not too happy – one particularly angry follower (@thiccaffleck) wrote on Twitter: “Kendall Jenner Did not deserve wings, one she isn’t even an angel and this is only her second year.”

12 Alessandra Ambrosio Got Work Done When She Was 11-Years-Old

This Brazilian actress and supermodel ranked six in the 2012 Forbes list of highest-paid models, earning $6.6 million that year. Often cited by popular media as one of the world’s hottest women, Alessandra Ambrosio started partaking in modelling classes since she was 12 years old. She was so bent on being a model that she even went under the knife at the age of 11 – but sadly, the plastic surgery went wrong and she has been left with botched ears ever since. “I always knew I wanted to be a model so I decided to have my ears pinned back since they always stuck out a bit,” she said. But, she ended up being a guinea pig for the local doctor as “[she] had to keep going back for mini surgeries.” Even if it were not for her ears, Ambrosio lacks oomph and is too tomboyish for a model.

11 Adriana Lima Should Never, EVER Open Her Mouth!

Makeup is magic and there’s no disputing that – and we owe this revelation to none other than Adriana Lima. Oh, the wonders that makeup can do! Sure she has a killer body, but look that face! We hardly recognised her! Even if we ignore how plastic she is otherwise, after seeing this picture of Adriana Lima, we have just one thing to say – this woman should never, EVER open her mouth. She is one of those few people, who don’t look good while smiling. Whenever she smiles, her face gets warped in a somewhat unpleasant way giving away her largely crooked teeth – making her look extremely unassuming as a model. No wonder, most of her photoshoots don’t show her smiling too much!

10 My Heart Goes Out To Chanel Iman's Makeup Guy

In 2006, Chanel Iman was placed third in Ford’s Supermodel of the World contest. She has walked the runway for the likes of Gucci, Burberry, Versace, Dior, and has even appeared in several advertising campaigns for Dolce & Gabbana, Ralph Lauren, Jean Paul Gaultier – you name it and she has done it! However, she was best known as a Victoria’s Secret Angel till she lost her wings in 2013. Reportedly, she was dropped rather unceremoniously from the team with the brand no longer willing to renew her contract. Probably, the makeup artists could no longer put up with the tedious hours they had to invest in doing up Iman’s face alone – and, after seeing this picture, we can’t blame them much!

9 Even For A Model, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley Is Too Plastic

Stepping into modelling at the age of 15, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley is best known for her association with Victoria’s Secret, formerly being one of their brand “angels”. She was also the face of Burberry Body in 2011 – the same year during which she hoped to take Hollywood by storm with her role in the action-packed Transformers: Dark of the Moon. That of course, was wishful thinking. She was off to a good start nevertheless, almost ubiquitous in magazines, ad campaigns and runways for a certain period but that was before she started tinkering with her features. With time, her faux tan became way too dark, her hair too blonde and her smoky eyes too heavy! And, it was almost like her once fuller face became sculpted overnight. These days, she is too plastic, even for a model.

8 Cindy Crawford Is Nothing But "Boringly Beautiful"

In 1995, Forbes magazine named her the highest paid model on the planet. But, to be entirely honest, we have never understood the appeal of Cindy Crawford. For a starter, she is extremely average looking. There is nothing special about her and we could name a hundred others who look not only better than her but also deserve more success. And that mole. How on earth did that become sensuous? The only thing that probably works for Crawford is that she still looks pampered and confident. Speaking about the supermodel, Barbara Ellen once wrote in The Guardian: “Crawford has been charged with one of the most heinous of modern fashion crimes, she is, some whisper, ‘boringly beautiful’.” We couldn’t agree more!

7 Party Animal Heidi Klum Seems To Be Going Through A Mid-life Crisis

In 1999, Heidi Klum became the first German model to become a Victoria’s Secret Angel. In 2011, Forbes magazine estimated her earnings for that year at $20 million. The following year, she ranked second on their list of World’s Top-Earning Models, preceded by Gisele Bundchen. All these, and she isn’t even “a ten” – at least that’s how the current president of the United States feels! There’s no denying that Klum is starting to look her age, especially with those circles under her eyes gaining prominence by the day – and her absolute lack of eyelashes only makes things worse. Reportedly, the supermodel is going through a “bad mid-life crisis that makes her almost impossible to deal with.” A source close to Klum told RadarOnline.com: “Heidi’s drinking and outspoken behaviour is winning her no friends these days…[she] spent most of last year partying and she needs to shape up or face consequences.”

6 Hardcore Partying, Nightclubs And Kate Moss - Why There Can Be No Coming Back For This Catwalk Queen

The stories of Kate Moss’s wild ways are legendary. A top model of the 90’s, this girl with her lithe body and heart-piercing stare was taking the fashion world by storm – she was fashion’s greatest cash cow, making or breaking brands by the choices she made. But handling success was clearly not her thing. Soon, that beautiful face started becoming a fading memory as night club scenes became more regular. The reckless lifestyle took its toll and her once supple frame made way for scrawny, bruised and bony knees protruding oddly from her coltish limbs. Her gaunt face and sunken eyes betrayed a life of late nights, excessive alcohol and smoking. The break-up with Johnny Depp plummeted her further into the self-destruction mode and there was no bringing the reigning queen of fashion.

5 The Runways Can Do Better Without Naomi Campbell

She was one of the six to have been declared supermodels by the fashion industry and rightly so, but even her success could not play up to Naomi Campbell’s temper tantrums that made consistent headlines for nearly decade. She was convicted of assault not once but four times. In 2000, she pleaded guilty to assaulting her personal assistant with a mobile phone. In 2007, she assaulted her former housekeeper while in 2008, she admitted to kicking and spitting at UK police officers after an argument about lost luggage. The following year, she was found guilty of hitting a photographer with her handbag. What more, she once wore a T-shirt that read: “Naomi Campbell hit me… I loved it.” She was also reportedly battling [substance] addiction. The fashion world is sure better off without supermodels like her, eh? Also, what's with the hair Naomi?

4 The Vampire Face-lift Didn't Help Bar Refaeli At All

Television host, actress, and business woman, Bar is considered one among the most internationally successful models in the industry. She started off as a baby model when she was just eight months old. Then, at the age of 15, she was named Model of the Year by an Israeli beauty pageant. She was also voted number one on Maxim magazine’s Hot 100 list of 2012. But, even though Bar is at present, one of the highest paid models of Israel, that doesn’t change how hideous she looks especially without make-up. Even the alleged $1,500 ‘vampire facelift’ – which involved injecting her own blood into her face to stimulate collagen production – didn’t help much. What more, she even shared a picture of her gory face on Instagram for her 2.5 million followers.

3 Again, What Did Orlando Bloom See In Miranda Kerr?

Remember her crystal-encrusted eyebrows and slicked-back hair as she strutted down the runway in the Chanel show during Paris Fashion Week 2012? That was when we truly realised how revolting Miranda Kerr looks! The Australian model who rose to fame with Victoria’s Secret, walked into the profession when she was just 13 years old. She also became the first ever Australian to become Victoria’s Secret Angel. And since 2008, she has consistently ranked on the Forbes list of highest paid models. But let’s be honest, with or without make-up, her facial features look somewhat exaggerated. With her broad nose, and extra-wide forehead, she is anything but attractive. These days, even her trademark dimples look more like craters. We wonder what Orlando Bloom ever saw in her?

2 Between Gisele Bundchen And Her Stringy Hairdo, What Would You Choose?

She started her career in 1997 at the age of 14. In 2007, Gisele Bundchen was the 16th richest woman in the entertainment industry and by 2012, she ranked first on the Forbes Top-earning Model list. Now can anyone please explain how exactly has this horse-faced plain Jane managed to rule the fashion industry, uncontested for the past 17 years? Surely, that extra-large nose did not help much? And if truth be told, her facial features too are sub-ordinary. Besides, Bundchen has practically kept the same hideously stringy hairdo since the beginning of her career! As if these were not enough, she also has the annoying habit of bragging about her perfect life at the drop of a hat! Somebody show her the door already!

1 It's Time Gwyneth Paltrow Dropped Some Of That "Better Than Thou" Attitude

The face of Estée Lauder’s Pleasure perfumes since 2005, Gwyneth is also the ambassador for American fashion brand Coach, and she is the owner of the lifestyle company Goop – but these achievements are minuscule compared to the Oscar in her kitty. Her accomplishments are commendable yet many feel that the Shakespeare in Love star is terribly overrated, coming always equipped with her “better than thou” attitude. She has quite the reputation for being appallingly self-involved – a trait that GQ has summed up with a quote from her very own cookbook: “We’ve got a wood-burning pizza oven in the garden – a luxury, I know, but it’s one of the best investments I’ve ever made.” Words like “Insufferable, hollow, with a doe-eyed pretentiousness” are also known to follow her around frequently – not very professional, eh?

 

Sources: Entertainment Tonight, DailyMail.co.uk, Glamour.co.uk, RadarOnline.com

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