Racism and Colorism in the Workplace: Supermodel Anok Yai’s Experience with Zara Photographer

Supermodel Anok Yai recently opened up about a disturbing incident of racism and colorism she faced early in her career while working on a campaign for Zara. In a series of now-deleted tweets, Yai revealed that a photographer on set had insulted her by calling her a derogatory term.

Despite the hurtful experience, Yai stood up for herself and refused to continue working with the disrespectful photographer. She recounted how she was gaslighted by another member of the team, who accused her of making up the incident. This led to Yai feeling isolated and silenced out of fear of retribution.

However, the incident did not deter Yai’s success in the fashion industry. She has continued to rise in prominence, walking the red carpet at the Met Gala and landing major modeling gigs with top fashion houses. Yai’s resilience and determination have been commendable, and she has not let the bullying and blacklisting affect her career trajectory.

The story of Anok Yai serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by black models in the industry and the importance of speaking out against racism and discrimination. Despite the adversity she faced, Yai’s star continues to shine bright, and her success is a testament to her strength and perseverance. We stand with Anok Yai and hope that her story inspires positive change in the fashion world.