Most people know Naomi Campbell for three things: her stunning beauty, her temper-fueled tirades, and her feud with Tyra Banks.
But the supermodel is dispelling her diva reputation in a new interview with Elle, just in time for her new reality TV modeling competition "The Face."
Naomi (along with Coca Rocha and Karolina Kurkova) will mentor aspiring models on the show and also determine their fates (think "America's Next Top Model" meets "The Voice"). The reason the world's most famous face is doing the show? Altruism.
"When I first got Yves Saint Laurent Couture, I didn't know how to take off a cape," Naomi admits. "I would ask Katoucha [Niane] and Dalma -- the real divas of the runway -- 'Can you show me?' I've never been afraid to ask for help.”
Will Naomi show her mentees tough love? "I care for my girls. Every single one of them," she says. "I'm not here to put anyone down."
Someone who Naomi reportedly put down was Tyra Banks, who claimed Naomi was "terrorizing" her and sabotaged her career. The two buried the hatchet on Tyra's talk show back in 2005, but what did Naomi have to say comparing "The Face" to "America's Next Top Model?"
"I don't watch the other reality model shows. I'll never have anything to say," Naomi responded. "If you ask me about Tyra Banks ... I'm proud of her as a woman of color. She's given girls opportunity, and God bless her."
Genuine reply or backhanded compliment? You tell us!
"The Face" premieres February 12 on Oxygen.
See gorgeous photos of Naomi above and pick up the newest issue of Elle on newsstands for her full interview.
