Last month, Zuri Tibby became the newest face of one of the world’s sexiest fashion brands. The 21 year-old has become the first African-American spokeperson for Victoria’s Secret, Pink collection.
Its a big step for a black woman, especially dark skinned ones, working in an industry that’s still struggling with its diversity. And then here comes this melanin, sun-kissed, brown-eyed beauty gliding down the runway. Its a sight young black girls (and women) marvel in seeing and one Tibby takes great pride in representing.
” I feel very proud and honored that a lot of other women of color look up to me,” Zuri tells Cosmopolitan Magazine in a interview. “It’s so important to inspire people. When young girls look at magazines and advertisements, it’s important to see girls that look like them. It’s very encouraging.”
Tibby was discovered at a Florida mall when she was 15 years-old, leaving her job from the mall. Since then, she has done shoots for Teen Vogue, Cosmopolitan and has co-starred in promotional images for Rihanna’s Stance line.
The West Palm Beach native is also a naturalista lover. She tells Cosmo she wears her natural straight hair in most of her photoshoots and believes wearing natural hair is something everyone should celebrate and embrace .
Its a philosophy that’s surely shared VS angel, Maria Borges. The Angolan beauty rocked her natural short curls on the runway last year at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. Borges was the first black women to wear her natural on the runway.
Zuri joins Rachel Hillbert, the other “spokesmodel” for the college-themed lingerie brand. Previous faces of PINK (Alessandra Ambrosio, Behati Prinsloo, and Elsa Hosk) are now Victoria’s Secret Angels. We’re hoping the stars are aligned like that for Zuri.
What makes Zuri OUR Royal Woman?
Her fun, girl-next-door personality and her ability to embrace her melanin in all of its beauty and splendor. She’s an inspiration and role model to beautiful black girls around the world. And black girls, yes, ALL of you, are beautiful!
