Naomi Campbell. Famous model. Temperamental diva. Billionaires’ ladyfriend. Internationally known phone thrower. Producer of TV’s new reality series “The Face.” And sitting with her — she’s a pussycat.
“Patrick Demarchelier knows how to photograph young models, and I know how to work with him since I began with him when I was 16. I myself booked some girls who really look like aspiring models.
“I teach, never be scared. I’ve lost my shirt on the runway, lost my hat, but you never shy away from mistakes. In Paris, my skirt fell to my ankles. Picking it up, I kept walking. A shoe fell off. Removing the other, I kept walking. I’m never scared.
“Designers pay you to show clothes — show them. Connect to the job 100 percent. Stairs up, stairs down, rickety floors, you can’t run off. Doing fittings before, check the runway. Worst are the shoes. If that’s all they got, wear them even if they don’t fit. Stuff tissue. Bend your feet. Improvise.”
Naomi’s boots nearly reached her waist-long hair. Wood, diamond, beaded bangles covered arms, which beat Mrs. Obama’s. She’s gorgeous. A living eye test.
“Toughest thing is rejection. I had it early. I’m working since I’m a child. I know what it’s like when you’re not what they’re looking for. But don’t think it’s you. Don’t adapt. Don’t stop eating. Be strong. Learn to speak. Use personality. Get education. Understand work. On this TV show, I’ve started 4 a.m.
“Television people wanted to shoot in LA, but I’m a mother hen. I said no. Designers are here. I can’t be in California and call Donna Karan and say I need 40 outfits next day. So we’re filming in New York with girls from seven countries, and the winning deal is a beauty contract.
“I’m fortunate. I don’t have to work every day. I like food. Potatoes? In moderation. I want chocolate, I have it. I do maintenance. Yoga, manicures, pedicures, waxing, I’m not opposed to the injectables. I don’t like that supersuperthin appearance. Too skinny, you look older.”
So, Naomi, hon, what about your disposition?
“I really live my life very quietly. I’ve been independent 28 years but . . . I guess . . . I do get bad every once in a while.”
FRÉDÉRIC Fekkai, whose comb and brush have made it to the Academy Awards before: “I’m happy to not go anymore. If you’re just a spectator, nicer to be home with a pizza in front of you.” . . . Yesterday’s news that WCBS-TV anchor Rob Morrison roughed up his wife? Previously we were both at WNBC-TV. Talk there was Rob was “spooky . . . dark . . .” Gossiped about were skeevy things, domestic problems, anger management, troubles at home.
PAY attention: Hillary signed with a speakers bureau? Doing a book? That’s as surprising as John Mayer jumping on another pile of nubile bones. Nothing’s more startling except maybe out-of-work Schwarzenegger deciding to run for sheriff of Beaver Creek, Colo.
Kiddies, loooonngg ago mother foretold this. All my very own self I reported Hillary’d sign with a lecture agency for large dollars. Hustle a book out 2014. Nationwide book tour 2015. Meet the country’s flotsam and some jetsam, take numbers, shake hands, face cameras, cootchy-coo babies and ready her Rolodex and hairdresser for 2016. She’s already positioning for president.
OSCARS. What’s a 9-year-old Best Actress maybe to wear? In what do you stick youngest-ever nominee Quvenzhané Wallis? On the red carpet she’ll strut, pirouette and say: “Armani . . . Wearing Gucci . . . It’s Chanel . . . ?”
The kid said she wants shiny, twirly and bling. Hot pink or purple. And an animal handbag. Trust me, she ain’t wearing the same as Jennifer Lawrence.
LENA Dunham: “Whenever I set foot on that set, I’m terrified.” . . . Rick Perry doing ads in California suggesting people set up business in his tax-free state of Texas . . . I heard this someplace but can’t remember where: The johns in all precincts have been stolen. Police have nothing to go on . . . Taye Diggs: “I began as a singer in Tokyo’s Disneyland. In my cabaret act I was covered with bananas.”
RODNEY Hilton Brown, the War Museum owner and a vet, is peddling the original Iwo Jima Monument. The US invasion was 1945. Yesterday was its 68th anniversary. Friday Bonhams auctions wartime’s single largest iconic donation ever. For scholarships to children of fallen troops, the Marine Corps Law Enforcement Foundation is pledged 10 percent.
So the Marines are thinking maybe a Tom Hanks, Tom Cruise, Clint Eastwood, Steven Spielberg could write a check, own a huge chunk of history and keep it in the good ol’ USA.
THIS Park Avenue gentleman toured Thailand. Upcountry he visited a small rural family that owns a rice farm. The owner padded down a tiny overgrown pitted lane to bring feed to the chickens. One arm held the rice. The other arm dangled her Louis Vuitton tote bag.
Only from a New Yorker, kids, only from a New Yorker.