Anna Wintour Calls Out Naomi Campbell for Tardiness at Fashion Awards, Supermodel Responds with a Jab

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Tensions ran high at the Harlem Fashion Row’s Fashion Show and Style Awards on Tuesday night as Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour publicly called out Naomi Campbell for her habitual lateness. Wintour, 74, was tasked with presenting the Fashion Icon Award to Campbell, but not before throwing some subtle shade.

“I am a very punctual person, and I have the honor of presenting tonight to someone who is often late,” Wintour quipped, prompting laughter from the crowd. The supermodel, known for arriving fashionably late to high-profile events, became the target of Wintour's playful jab, highlighting her reputation for tardiness.

However, the moment didn’t end there. According to TMZ, Wintour, visibly irritated by Campbell’s late arrival, left the event shortly after her speech. But the supermodel had her own response.

After a second introduction from Harper’s Bazaar editor-in-chief Samira Nasr, Campbell, 54, took the stage and addressed Wintour’s remark. “Everything’s going to work out the way it’s going to work out. It wasn’t my choice to have the other woman,” Campbell said, referring to Wintour in a comment that left the audience gasping. The supermodel, however, clarified her stance by praising Nasr, adding, “I’d much rather have this.”

Despite the heated exchange, Campbell didn’t let the night end on a sour note. She took a moment during her speech to express her gratitude toward Wintour, acknowledging her role in shaping her career. “We must still say thank you to Anna Wintour,” Campbell said. “She did take the time to come here and give me the award even though I wasn’t here.”

Campbell continued, recalling how Wintour supported her early on in her career. “Thank you, Anna Wintour, for your support from 1987, meeting a young Black girl from South London and taking a chance on giving me a shoot,” she added.

The night was a blend of lighthearted jabs and heartfelt acknowledgments, showcasing the long and complicated relationship between two of fashion’s biggest icons. Despite the tension, Campbell remained unapologetically herself, true to her reputation as both a trailblazer and someone who, fashionably late or not, speaks her truth.