[Music]
[Music]
hi my name is Cameron Russell um and for
hi my name is Cameron Russell um and for
hi my name is Cameron Russell um and for
the last uh little while I've been a
the last uh little while I've been a
the last uh little while I've been a
model um actually for 10
model um actually for 10
model um actually for 10
years um and I feel like there's an
years um and I feel like there's an
years um and I feel like there's an
uncomfortable tension in the room right
uncomfortable tension in the room right
uncomfortable tension in the room right
now because I should not have worn this
now because I should not have worn this
now because I should not have worn this
dress so luckily I brought an outfit
dress so luckily I brought an outfit
dress so luckily I brought an outfit
change um this is the first outfit
change um this is the first outfit
change um this is the first outfit
change on the Ted stage so you guys are
change on the Ted stage so you guys are
change on the Ted stage so you guys are
pretty lucky to witness it I think um if
pretty lucky to witness it I think um if
pretty lucky to witness it I think um if
some of the women were really horrified
some of the women were really horrified
some of the women were really horrified
when I came out you don't have to tell
when I came out you don't have to tell
when I came out you don't have to tell
me now but I'll find out later on
Twitter um I'd also note that I'm quite
Twitter um I'd also note that I'm quite
Twitter um I'd also note that I'm quite
privileged to be able to transform what
privileged to be able to transform what
privileged to be able to transform what
you think of me um in a very brief 10
you think of me um in a very brief 10
you think of me um in a very brief 10
seconds not everybody gets to do
seconds not everybody gets to do
seconds not everybody gets to do
that these heels are very uncomfortable
that these heels are very uncomfortable
that these heels are very uncomfortable
so good thing I wasn't going to wear
so good thing I wasn't going to wear
so good thing I wasn't going to wear
them the worst part is putting this
them the worst part is putting this
them the worst part is putting this
sweater over my head because that's when
sweater over my head because that's when
sweater over my head because that's when
you all laugh at me so don't do anything
you all laugh at me so don't do anything
you all laugh at me so don't do anything
while it's over my
head all
head all
head all
right so why did I do that that was
right so why did I do that that was
right so why did I do that that was
awkward
awkward
awkward
um
um
um
[Laughter]
[Laughter]
[Laughter]
well um hopefully not as awkward as that
well um hopefully not as awkward as that
well um hopefully not as awkward as that
picture
picture
picture
uh image is
uh image is
uh image is
powerful um but also image is
powerful um but also image is
powerful um but also image is
superficial I just totally transformed
superficial I just totally transformed
superficial I just totally transformed
what you thought of me in six seconds
what you thought of me in six seconds
what you thought of me in six seconds
and and in this picture I had actually
and and in this picture I had actually
and and in this picture I had actually
never had a boyfriend in real life um I
never had a boyfriend in real life um I
never had a boyfriend in real life um I
was totally uncomfortable in the photog
was totally uncomfortable in the photog
was totally uncomfortable in the photog
ER was telling me to Arch my back and
ER was telling me to Arch my back and
ER was telling me to Arch my back and
put my hand in that guy's
put my hand in that guy's
put my hand in that guy's
hair
hair
hair
um and of course barring surgery um or
um and of course barring surgery um or
um and of course barring surgery um or
the fake tan that I got two days ago for
the fake tan that I got two days ago for
the fake tan that I got two days ago for
work um there's very little that we can
work um there's very little that we can
work um there's very little that we can
do to transform how we look and how we
do to transform how we look and how we
do to transform how we look and how we
look though it is superficial and
look though it is superficial and
look though it is superficial and
immutable has a huge impact on our lives
immutable has a huge impact on our lives
immutable has a huge impact on our lives
um so today for me being Fearless means
um so today for me being Fearless means
um so today for me being Fearless means
being honest and I am on this stage
being honest and I am on this stage
being honest and I am on this stage
because I am a model I'm on this stage
because I am a model I'm on this stage
because I am a model I'm on this stage
because I am a pretty white woman in my
because I am a pretty white woman in my
because I am a pretty white woman in my
industry we call that a sexy girl um and
industry we call that a sexy girl um and
industry we call that a sexy girl um and
I'm going to answer the questions that
I'm going to answer the questions that
I'm going to answer the questions that
people always ask me but with an honest
people always ask me but with an honest
people always ask me but with an honest
twist so the first question is how do
twist so the first question is how do
twist so the first question is how do
you become a model um and I always just
you become a model um and I always just
you become a model um and I always just
say oh I was scouted but that means
say oh I was scouted but that means
say oh I was scouted but that means
nothing um the real way that I became a
nothing um the real way that I became a
nothing um the real way that I became a
model is I won a genetic Lottery and I
model is I won a genetic Lottery and I
model is I won a genetic Lottery and I
am the recipient of a legacy and maybe
am the recipient of a legacy and maybe
am the recipient of a legacy and maybe
you're wondering what is a legacy well
you're wondering what is a legacy well
you're wondering what is a legacy well
for the past few centuries we have
for the past few centuries we have
for the past few centuries we have
defined Beauty not just as um health and
defined Beauty not just as um health and
defined Beauty not just as um health and
youth and symmetry that were
youth and symmetry that were
youth and symmetry that were
biologically programmed to admire but
biologically programmed to admire but
biologically programmed to admire but
also as tall slender figures and
also as tall slender figures and
also as tall slender figures and
femininity and white skin and this is a
femininity and white skin and this is a
femininity and white skin and this is a
legacy that was built for me and it's a
legacy that was built for me and it's a
legacy that was built for me and it's a
legacy that I've been cashing out on um
legacy that I've been cashing out on um
legacy that I've been cashing out on um
and I know there are people in the
and I know there are people in the
and I know there are people in the
audience who are skeptical at this point
audience who are skeptical at this point
audience who are skeptical at this point
and maybe there are some fashion who are
and maybe there are some fashion who are
and maybe there are some fashion who are
like wait Naomi Tyra Joan Smalls louwen
like wait Naomi Tyra Joan Smalls louwen
like wait Naomi Tyra Joan Smalls louwen
and first I commend you on your mom
and first I commend you on your mom
and first I commend you on your mom
model knowledge very impressive
model knowledge very impressive
model knowledge very impressive
um but unfortunately I have to inform
um but unfortunately I have to inform
um but unfortunately I have to inform
you that in 2007 a very inspired myyu
you that in 2007 a very inspired myyu
you that in 2007 a very inspired myyu
PhD student counted all the models on
PhD student counted all the models on
PhD student counted all the models on
the runway every single one that was
the runway every single one that was
the runway every single one that was
hired and of the 677 models that were
hired and of the 677 models that were
hired and of the 677 models that were
hired only 27 or less than 4% were
hired only 27 or less than 4% were
hired only 27 or less than 4% were
non-white the next question people
non-white the next question people
non-white the next question people
always ask me is can I be a model when I
always ask me is can I be a model when I
always ask me is can I be a model when I
grow up and the first answer is I don't
grow up and the first answer is I don't
grow up and the first answer is I don't
know they don't put me in charge of that
know they don't put me in charge of that
know they don't put me in charge of that
um but the second answer and what I
um but the second answer and what I
um but the second answer and what I
really want to say to these little girls
really want to say to these little girls
really want to say to these little girls
is why you know you can be anything you
is why you know you can be anything you
is why you know you can be anything you
could be the president of the United
could be the president of the United
could be the president of the United
States or the inventor of the next
States or the inventor of the next
States or the inventor of the next
internet or a ninja cardiothoracic
internet or a ninja cardiothoracic
internet or a ninja cardiothoracic
surgeon poet which would be awesome
surgeon poet which would be awesome
surgeon poet which would be awesome
because you'd be the first
because you'd be the first
because you'd be the first
one um if after this amazing list they
one um if after this amazing list they
one um if after this amazing list they
still are like no no Cameron I want to
still are like no no Cameron I want to
still are like no no Cameron I want to
be a model well then I say um be my boss
be a model well then I say um be my boss
be a model well then I say um be my boss
because I'm not in charge of anything
because I'm not in charge of anything
because I'm not in charge of anything
and you could be the editor and Chief of
and you could be the editor and Chief of
and you could be the editor and Chief of
American Vogue or the CEO of H&M or the
American Vogue or the CEO of H&M or the
American Vogue or the CEO of H&M or the
next Stephen
next Stephen
next Stephen
misel um saying that you want to be a
misel um saying that you want to be a
misel um saying that you want to be a
model when you grow up is akin to saying
model when you grow up is akin to saying
model when you grow up is akin to saying
that you want to win the Powerball when
that you want to win the Powerball when
that you want to win the Powerball when
you grow up it's you know out of your
you grow up it's you know out of your
you grow up it's you know out of your
control and it's awesome and it's not a
control and it's awesome and it's not a
control and it's awesome and it's not a
career path I will demonstrate for you
career path I will demonstrate for you
career path I will demonstrate for you
now 10 years of accumulated model
now 10 years of accumulated model
now 10 years of accumulated model
knowledge because unlike cardiothoracic
knowledge because unlike cardiothoracic
knowledge because unlike cardiothoracic
surgeons it can just be distilled right
surgeons it can just be distilled right
surgeons it can just be distilled right
into right now so if the photographer is
into right now so if the photographer is
into right now so if the photographer is
right there and the light is right there
right there and the light is right there
right there and the light is right there
like a nice HMI and the client says
like a nice HMI and the client says
like a nice HMI and the client says
Cameron we want a walking shot well then
Cameron we want a walking shot well then
Cameron we want a walking shot well then
this leg goes first nice and long this
this leg goes first nice and long this
this leg goes first nice and long this
arm goes back this arm goes forward the
arm goes back this arm goes forward the
arm goes back this arm goes forward the
head is at 3/4s and you just go back and
head is at 3/4s and you just go back and
head is at 3/4s and you just go back and
forth just do that and then you look
forth just do that and then you look
forth just do that and then you look
back at your imaginary friends 300 400
back at your imaginary friends 300 400
back at your imaginary friends 300 400
500
500
500
times it will look something like this
times it will look something like this
times it will look something like this
um hopefully less awkward than that one
um hopefully less awkward than that one
um hopefully less awkward than that one
in the middle that was I don't know what
in the middle that was I don't know what
in the middle that was I don't know what
happened
happened
happened
there unfortunately after you've gone to
there unfortunately after you've gone to
there unfortunately after you've gone to
school and you have a resume and you've
school and you have a resume and you've
school and you have a resume and you've
done a few jobs you can't say anything
done a few jobs you can't say anything
done a few jobs you can't say anything
anymore so if you say you want to be the
anymore so if you say you want to be the
anymore so if you say you want to be the
president of the United States but your
president of the United States but your
president of the United States but your
resume reads underwear model 10 years
resume reads underwear model 10 years
resume reads underwear model 10 years
people give you funny look the next
people give you funny look the next
people give you funny look the next
question people always ask me is do they
question people always ask me is do they
question people always ask me is do they
retouch all the photos and yeah they
retouch all the photos and yeah they
retouch all the photos and yeah they
pretty much retouch all the photos but
pretty much retouch all the photos but
pretty much retouch all the photos but
that is only a small component of what's
that is only a small component of what's
that is only a small component of what's
happening this picture is the very first
happening this picture is the very first
happening this picture is the very first
picture that I ever took and it's also
picture that I ever took and it's also
picture that I ever took and it's also
the very first time that I had worn a
the very first time that I had worn a
the very first time that I had worn a
bikini and I didn't even have my period
bikini and I didn't even have my period
bikini and I didn't even have my period
yet I know we're getting personal but uh
yet I know we're getting personal but uh
yet I know we're getting personal but uh
you know I was a young girl this is what
you know I was a young girl this is what
you know I was a young girl this is what
I looked like with my grandma just um a
I looked like with my grandma just um a
I looked like with my grandma just um a
few months
few months
few months
earlier here's me on the same day as
earlier here's me on the same day as
earlier here's me on the same day as
this shoot my friend got to come with me
this shoot my friend got to come with me
this shoot my friend got to come with me
here's me at a slumber party if you few
here's me at a slumber party if you few
here's me at a slumber party if you few
days before I shot French Vogue um
days before I shot French Vogue um
days before I shot French Vogue um
here's me on the soccer team and in V
here's me on the soccer team and in V
here's me on the soccer team and in V
magazine and here's me today and I hope
magazine and here's me today and I hope
magazine and here's me today and I hope
what you're seeing is that these
what you're seeing is that these
what you're seeing is that these
pictures are not pictures of me they are
pictures are not pictures of me they are
pictures are not pictures of me they are
constructions and they are constructions
constructions and they are constructions
constructions and they are constructions
by a group professionals by hair
by a group professionals by hair
by a group professionals by hair
stylists and makeup artists and
stylists and makeup artists and
stylists and makeup artists and
photographers and stylists and all of
photographers and stylists and all of
photographers and stylists and all of
their assistants and pre-production and
their assistants and pre-production and
their assistants and pre-production and
post-production and they build this
post-production and they build this
post-production and they build this
that's not me um okay so the next
that's not me um okay so the next
that's not me um okay so the next
question people always ask me is do you
question people always ask me is do you
question people always ask me is do you
get free
get free
get free
stuff I do have too many 8 in heels
stuff I do have too many 8 in heels
stuff I do have too many 8 in heels
which I never get to wear except for
which I never get to wear except for
which I never get to wear except for
earlier um but the free stuff that I get
earlier um but the free stuff that I get
earlier um but the free stuff that I get
is the free stuff that I get in real
is the free stuff that I get in real
is the free stuff that I get in real
life and that's what we don't like to
life and that's what we don't like to
life and that's what we don't like to
talk about um I grew up in Cambridge and
talk about um I grew up in Cambridge and
talk about um I grew up in Cambridge and
one time I went into a store and I
one time I went into a store and I
one time I went into a store and I
forgot my money and they gave me the
forgot my money and they gave me the
forgot my money and they gave me the
dress for
dress for
dress for
free um when I was a teenager I was
free um when I was a teenager I was
free um when I was a teenager I was
driving with my friend who was an awful
driving with my friend who was an awful
driving with my friend who was an awful
driver and she ran AED and of course we
driver and she ran AED and of course we
driver and she ran AED and of course we
got pulled over and all it took was a
got pulled over and all it took was a
got pulled over and all it took was a
sorry officer and we were on our way um
sorry officer and we were on our way um
sorry officer and we were on our way um
and I got these free things because of
and I got these free things because of
and I got these free things because of
how I look not who I am and there are
how I look not who I am and there are
how I look not who I am and there are
people paying a cost for how they look
people paying a cost for how they look
people paying a cost for how they look
and not who they are I live in New York
and not who they are I live in New York
and not who they are I live in New York
and last year of the 140,000 teenagers
and last year of the 140,000 teenagers
and last year of the 140,000 teenagers
that were stop and frisked 86% of them
that were stop and frisked 86% of them
that were stop and frisked 86% of them
were black and Latino and most of them
were black and Latino and most of them
were black and Latino and most of them
were young men and there are only
were young men and there are only
were young men and there are only
177,000 young black and Latino men in
177,000 young black and Latino men in
177,000 young black and Latino men in
New York so for them it's not a question
New York so for them it's not a question
New York so for them it's not a question
of will I get stopped but how many times
of will I get stopped but how many times
of will I get stopped but how many times
will I get stopped when will I get
will I get stopped when will I get
will I get stopped when will I get
stopped um when I was researching this
stopped um when I was researching this
stopped um when I was researching this
talk I found out that of the 13-year-old
talk I found out that of the 13-year-old
talk I found out that of the 13-year-old
girls in United States 53% don't like
girls in United States 53% don't like
girls in United States 53% don't like
their bodies and that number goes to 78%
their bodies and that number goes to 78%
their bodies and that number goes to 78%
by the time that they're
by the time that they're
by the time that they're
17 so the last question people ask me is
17 so the last question people ask me is
17 so the last question people ask me is
you know what is it like to be a model
you know what is it like to be a model
you know what is it like to be a model
and I think the answer that they're
and I think the answer that they're
and I think the answer that they're
looking for is if you are a little bit
looking for is if you are a little bit
looking for is if you are a little bit
skinnier and you have shinier hair you
skinnier and you have shinier hair you
skinnier and you have shinier hair you
will be so happy and fabulous and when
will be so happy and fabulous and when
will be so happy and fabulous and when
we're backstage we give an answer that
we're backstage we give an answer that
we're backstage we give an answer that
maybe makes it seem like that we say
maybe makes it seem like that we say
maybe makes it seem like that we say
it's really amazing to travel and it's
it's really amazing to travel and it's
it's really amazing to travel and it's
amazing to get to work with creative
amazing to get to work with creative
amazing to get to work with creative
inspired passionate people and those
inspired passionate people and those
inspired passionate people and those
things are true but they're only one
things are true but they're only one
things are true but they're only one
half of the story because the thing that
half of the story because the thing that
half of the story because the thing that
we never say on camera that I have never
we never say on camera that I have never
we never say on camera that I have never
said on camera is I am
said on camera is I am
said on camera is I am
insecure and I'm insecure because I have
insecure and I'm insecure because I have
insecure and I'm insecure because I have
to think about what I look like every
to think about what I look like every
to think about what I look like every
day um and if you ever are wondering you
day um and if you ever are wondering you
day um and if you ever are wondering you
know if I have thinner thighs and
know if I have thinner thighs and
know if I have thinner thighs and
shinier hair will I be happier um you
shinier hair will I be happier um you
shinier hair will I be happier um you
just need to meet a group of models
just need to meet a group of models
just need to meet a group of models
because they have the thinnest thighs
because they have the thinnest thighs
because they have the thinnest thighs
and the shiniest hair and the coolest
and the shiniest hair and the coolest
and the shiniest hair and the coolest
clothes and they're the most physically
clothes and they're the most physically
clothes and they're the most physically
insecure women probably the
insecure women probably the
insecure women probably the
planet um so when I was writing this
planet um so when I was writing this
planet um so when I was writing this
talk I found it very difficult to strike
talk I found it very difficult to strike
talk I found it very difficult to strike
an honest balance because on the one
an honest balance because on the one
an honest balance because on the one
hand I felt very uncomfortable to come
hand I felt very uncomfortable to come
hand I felt very uncomfortable to come
out here and say look I've received all
out here and say look I've received all
out here and say look I've received all
these benefits from a deck stacked in my
these benefits from a deck stacked in my
these benefits from a deck stacked in my
favor and it also felt really
favor and it also felt really
favor and it also felt really
uncomfortable to follow that up with and
uncomfortable to follow that up with and
uncomfortable to follow that up with and
it doesn't always make me happy but
it doesn't always make me happy but
it doesn't always make me happy but
mostly it was difficult to unpack a
mostly it was difficult to unpack a
mostly it was difficult to unpack a
legacy of gender and racial oppression
legacy of gender and racial oppression
legacy of gender and racial oppression
when I'm one of the biggest
when I'm one of the biggest
when I'm one of the biggest
beneficiaries um but
beneficiaries um but
beneficiaries um but
I'm also happy and honored to be up here
I'm also happy and honored to be up here
I'm also happy and honored to be up here
and I think that it's great I got to
and I think that it's great I got to
and I think that it's great I got to
come you know before 10 or 20 or 30
come you know before 10 or 20 or 30
come you know before 10 or 20 or 30
years had passed and I'd had more agency
years had passed and I'd had more agency
years had passed and I'd had more agency
in my career because maybe then I
in my career because maybe then I
in my career because maybe then I
wouldn't tell the story of how I got my
wouldn't tell the story of how I got my
wouldn't tell the story of how I got my
first job or maybe I wouldn't tell the
first job or maybe I wouldn't tell the
first job or maybe I wouldn't tell the
story of how I paid for college which
story of how I paid for college which
story of how I paid for college which
seems so important right
seems so important right
seems so important right
now um if there's a takeaway to this
now um if there's a takeaway to this
now um if there's a takeaway to this
talk I hope is that we all feel more
talk I hope is that we all feel more
talk I hope is that we all feel more
comfortable acknowledging the power of
comfortable acknowledging the power of
comfortable acknowledging the power of
image in our perceived successes and our
image in our perceived successes and our
image in our perceived successes and our
perceived failures okay than thank you