Jump to content

Diandra Forrest

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Diandra Forrest
Forrest models for Chromat Autumn/Winter 2018
Born (1989-10-22) October 22, 1989 (age 35)[2]
The Bronx
Known forModel, actress, albinism activist
Children2
Modeling information
Height5 ft 11 in (180 cm)[1]
Hair colorBlonde
Eye colorGreen

Diandra Forrest is an African American fashion model and actress with albinism. She grew up in the Bronx, New York City, in a black community where she was bullied for her white skin, until she moved to a private school to avoid it. After graduation, Forrest became the first female model with albinism signed to a major modelling agency,[3][4] and the first to be featured in a national campaign for a major brand.[5][6] She has starred in several short films and appeared in multiple widely released music videos. Forrest uses her prominence to advocate for people with albinism around the world, many of whom face not only bullying but murder or dismemberment for their condition.

Early life

[edit]

Forrest was born on October 22, 1989,[7][2] to African American parents, and grew up in the black community of the Bronx, the northernmost borough of New York City.[8] She grew up one of five children, of whom only she and her younger brother have albinism.[4] She has naturally white skin, blonde hair, and green eyes, with the classical African full lips and wide nose.[2][9] She also has nystagmus, a condition where her eyes move back and forth.[9]

Forrest realized she had albinism at the age of nine.[4] She remembers being regularly made fun of for her pale skin and hair, by children and even adults, to the point of tears.[8][10] She changed schools many times until eventually enrolling in the New York Institute for Special Education, where her sixth-grade teacher, also an African American woman with albinism, encouraged her.[11] With that added confidence, by the age of fourteen, she decided to become a model.[2] She says she spoke with a modeling coach when she was fourteen or fifteen, but he told her that she would never be a model because she was too odd.[12]

Forrest graduated NYISE in 2007, and wrote in the class yearbook that in ten years she saw herself "walking the runway of a Victoria's Secret fashion show".[7]

Modeling

[edit]
Forrest walks for Chromat Autumn/Winter 2019

Forrest was noticed by fashion photographer Shameer Khan while walking down 34th Street in New York, and signed with Elite Model Management a month later in February 2009.[13][14][15] She says her coach was wrong, the agency signed her immediately, and clients were interested.[12][16] It was the first time a female model with albinism had signed with a major agency.[17] In the summer of 2009, she left the United States for her first time, to model at Paris Fashion Week.[11]

In May 2015, Forrest was the face of designer Mimi Plange's fall collection.[18] In September 2015 she shared the cover of Ebony magazine.[19][3] In May 2016, she told her story in advertising for Burt's Bees.[20][21]

In October 2017, Forrest became one of five atypical models to be featured in the Wet n Wild cosmetics "Breaking Beauty" campaign[22] (along with Asian-American musician Michelle Zauner, Olympic weightlifter Briana Marquez, amputee activist Mama Cax, and Dutch transgender model Valentijn de Hingh).[23] This made her the first model with albinism to front a national campaign for a major beauty brand.[6][5] Forrest said that besides the groundbreaking aspect, she valued that the cosmetics brand made shades that worked on her skin.[12]

Albinism advocacy

[edit]
Forrest interviewed in 2015

Several years into her career, Forrest was shocked to learn about the persecution of people with albinism, far greater than the teasing and bullying she faced growing up.[8][24] Throughout the world, the occurrence of albinism is close to 1 in 20,000 people, but in Tanzania, where the proportion is closer to 1 in 1400, and other countries in Sub-Saharan Africa and East Africa, people with albinism are at risk of being killed or dismembered, their bodies used as magical charms.[25]

In October 2012, Forrest attended Africa Fashion Week in Johannesburg, South Africa, partly to try to change the way albino people are viewed on that continent.[8][9] In 2015 she was working with Assisting Children in Need, a group which opened a safe house for children with albinism in Tanzania.[3][26][9]

In the summer of 2016, Forrest appeared in and directed a short film for the "Beyond My Skin" campaign, meant to celebrate albinism.[12] It premiered on International Albinism Awareness Day, and profits went to the Salif Keïta Global Foundation for people with albinism.[27][28] In May 2019, following the murder of a child with albinism, Forrest flew to Mali to dance a benefit concert with Salif Keïta himself, the Malian musician who also has albinism.[29] Coumba Makalou, Keïta's wife, who heads the foundation, said Forrest was an inspiration to many girls with albinism, and seeing her could be life changing.[29]

In 2019, Forrest appeared as a spokesperson for NYDG ColorFull, a partnership between the New York Dermatology Foundation and the United Nations to support people with albinism.[30][31]

Acting

[edit]

Films

[edit]

In 2013, Forrest starred in the short film Sololoque by Ruben Sznajderman, which aired at the ASVOFF festival.[32][33] In 2014, Forrest starred in Afronauts, a speculative science fiction short film by Nuotama Bodomo about a 1960s Zambian woman attempting to beat the US and USSR to the moon.[34][35][36]

In 2022, Forrest starred in War of Colors, a short film by Emir Kumova about discrimination faced by African Americans with albinism.[37][38]

Music videos

[edit]

In August 2010, Forrest appeared in the music video for Kanye West's song "Power", ending with her swinging at the singer with a sword.[39][40] In December 2013, Forrest appeared in two music videos for Beyoncé: in "Pretty Hurts" she plays a beauty contest competitor,[41][42] and in "XO" she rides along on a roller coaster.[43] In 2016, Forrest danced in the music video for "Pleasure Toy" by Bilal.[44]

Children

[edit]
Forrest with son at Chromat Spring/Summer 2020

Forrest has a daughter, Rain, born 2015,[7] and a son, born 2017.[45]

In February 2016, Forrest was the target of controversy when she walked the runway at a Gypsy Sport fashion show at New York Fashion Week.[46] She was holding her seven-week-old daughter Rain close to her chest in a blanket, and some (including The Daily Beast)[47] assumed she was breastfeeding in public.[48] She wasn't, but she was greatly amused that the thought of it caused such a commotion.[46][48][49] A year later Forrest posted a photo of her actually breastfeeding her daughter during a fashion shoot, and called back to that moment.[50]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Diandra Forrest - Model". Models.com. Retrieved 24 May 2025.
  2. ^ a b c d "Fashion model with albinism | Diandra Forrest | TEDxFultonStreet". YouTube. TEDx Talks. 12 November 2015. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
  3. ^ a b c Bobo, Marielle; Daniels, Kasey. "Made You Look: A powerful new crop of Black models". Ebony (September 2015): cover, 94–95, 100.
  4. ^ a b c "Meet Diandra Forrest - People with albinism, by United Nations Human Rights". albinism.ohchr.org. Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. March 20, 2015. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
  5. ^ a b Fuller, Gillian (10 October 2017). "Here's Why Wet n Wild's Inclusive New "Breaking Beauty" Campaign Is Such a Big Deal". Allure. Retrieved 23 May 2025.
  6. ^ a b Nussbaum, Rachel (11 October 2017). "This Is the First Model With Albinism to Be the Face of a Major Beauty Brand". Glamour. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
  7. ^ a b c "Diandra Forrest". New York Institute for Special Education. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
  8. ^ a b c d Forbes, Kate (26 October 2012). "Albino models setting the trend for Africa". BBC News. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
  9. ^ a b c d Huntington, Jacki (April 17, 2016). "What It's Like To Be Born With Albinism". Refinery29. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
  10. ^ Mulrow, Jennifer; Forrest, Diandra (November 14, 2019). "I Was Bullied For My Albinism — Now It's My Biggest Source Of Confidence". Refinery29. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
  11. ^ a b "Albinism: Caught Between Dark and Light". ABC News. October 1, 2009. Retrieved 23 May 2025.
  12. ^ a b c d Underwood, Khalea (15 August 2017). "This Is The First Model With Albinism To Front A Major Beauty Campaign". Refinery29. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
  13. ^ Maher, Sarah (16 February 2009). "Fashion's New Faces". The Daily Beast. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
  14. ^ K, Aïssata (30 April 2009). "TMOTW: Diandra Forrest: "A precious diamond"". Timodelle Magazine (in French). Retrieved 25 May 2025.
  15. ^ "elite clips: INTRODUCING.........DIANDRA". Elite Blog. Elite Model Management. 3 February 2009. Archived from the original on 12 February 2009. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
  16. ^ Safronova, Valeriya; Nikas, Joanna; Osipova, Natalia V. (5 September 2017). "What It's Truly Like to Be a Fashion Model". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 2017-09-05. Retrieved 23 May 2025.
  17. ^ Devash, Meirav (12 January 2016). "10 Alt Models Who Redefine Beauty". Allure. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
  18. ^ "Model showcase's the Mimi Plange fall collection for 2015 | Pulse Nigeria". Pulse Nigeria. 3 May 2015. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
  19. ^ Obiuwevbi, Jennifer (24 August 2015). "Ebony Magazine is Having A Black Model Moment! Features Winnie Harlow, Diandra Forrest & More in Sept. Issue". BellaNaija. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
  20. ^ Jardine, Alexandra (May 12, 2016). "Burt's Bees Celebrates Unique Beauties in Uplifting Campaign". Advertising Age. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
  21. ^ Gianatasio, David (13 May 2016). "Burt's Bees Tells Two Young Women's Remarkable Stories of Unique Beauty". AdWeek. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
  22. ^ Armstrong, Harriet (11 October 2017). "Albino model breaks beauty barriers". Nine.com.au. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
  23. ^ Demopoulos, Alaina (12 October 2017). "Wet n Wild Is Making History With an Albino Model in Its New Campaign". Popsugar. Retrieved 23 May 2025.
  24. ^ Stroud, Court (June 19, 2019). "Stand Out Strong: An Interview With Model And Albinism Activist Diandra Forrest". Forbes. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
  25. ^ Ager, Susan. "For Them, Being Pale Can Bring Scorn, Threats, and Worse". National Geographic. No. June 2017. Archived from the original on 2021-02-26. Retrieved 23 May 2025.
  26. ^ "Tanzania". Assisting Children in Need. Retrieved 24 May 2025.
  27. ^ "International Albinism Awareness Day Campaign". Ben Cawiezell. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
  28. ^ ""Beyond My Skin" Campaign Short Film - Beauty For Freedom". Beauty for Freedom. 13 June 2016. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
  29. ^ a b "People with Albinism Are Finding Their Voice". Open Society Foundations. May 29, 2019. Retrieved 23 May 2025.
  30. ^ Oakes, Karl (December 12, 2019). "Albinism awareness goes global in dermatologists' nonprofit work | MDedge". MDEdge. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
  31. ^ "NYDG ColorFull". NYDG Foundation. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
  32. ^ ""SOLOLOQUE" BY RUBEN SZNAJDERMAN". A Shaded View on Fashion. 23 September 2013. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
  33. ^ Sznajderman, Ruban (June 5, 2012). "Sololoque (for Bijules)". Vimeo. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
  34. ^ Shields, Derica (March 14, 2013). "Frances Bodomo's 'Afronauts': What Became of the Zambian Space Program? | OkayAfrica". OkayAfrica. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
  35. ^ "'Afronauts' - Ragtag Group Of Zambian Exiles Try To Beat America To The Moon (Fundraising) - Blavity". Blavity News & Entertainment. April 2, 2013. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
  36. ^ Sumba, Eric Otieno (1 December 2020). "Afronauts are forever | The enduring cultural legacy of the 'Zambia Space Program'". GRIOT. Retrieved 23 May 2025.
  37. ^ Davis, Linsey (November 10, 2022). "Video 'War of Colors' documents fighting discrimination against albinism". ABC News. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
  38. ^ "WAR OF COLORS | Omeleto". YouTube. 12 November 2022. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
  39. ^ "FRESH FACES: Meet Diandra Forrest, Albino Supermodel". Hello Beautiful - Fashion, Beauty, Lifestyle and Hair Care for Black Women. 6 August 2010. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
  40. ^ West, Kanye (5 August 2010). "Kanye West - POWER". YouTube. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
  41. ^ Yotka, Steff (13 December 2013). "Beyonce New Album". Nylon. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
  42. ^ Beyoncé (24 April 2014). "Beyoncé - Pretty Hurts (Video)". YouTube. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
  43. ^ Newbold, Alice (August 30, 2013). "Beyonce enlists Jourdan Dunn to star in new video". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on December 15, 2013. Retrieved December 17, 2013.
  44. ^ Coleman II, C. Vernon (26 November 2016). "Bilal Drops 'Pleasure Toy' Video Featuring Big K.R.I.T." XXL. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
  45. ^ Forrest, Diandra (December 1, 2018). "Happy birthday baby boy". Facebook. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
  46. ^ a b Spedding, Emma (22 February 2016). "Model Diandra Forrest hits back at those shocked she was breastfeeding on the New York Fashion Week catwalk". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
  47. ^ Teeman, Tim; McNearney, Allison; Crocker, Lizzie (21 February 2016). "The 10 Things We Learned at Fashion Week". The Daily Beast. Retrieved 24 May 2025.
  48. ^ a b Brown, Maressa (23 February 2016). "The Truth About That "Breastfeeding" Runway Model". Cosmopolitan. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
  49. ^ Mazziotta, Juliet (24 February 2016). "Model Says She Wasn't Breastfeeding While Walking at NYFW". People. Archived from the original on 24 February 2016. Retrieved 24 May 2025.
  50. ^ Greenfield, Beth (1 March 2017). "Model With Albinism Breastfeeds Daughter in Stunning New Fashion Shoot". Yahoo Life. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Diandra Forrest.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Diandra_Forrest&oldid=1292910474"