*Beverly Johnson‘s time in the modeling world is legendary, with being the first African-American face on the cover of American Vogue in 1974.
While her professional life was full of success, Johnson’s personal life often crossed over into her career via a drug addiction and a strict diet that nearly killed her. Johnson’s struggles and triumphs are detailed in her new memoir “The Face That Changed It All.”
Among the revelations featured in the book is modeling agent Eileen Ford, who labeled the then 5’9″ and 125 pound Johnson as “too fat,” as she told Johnson her the career of a model in front of a camera wouldn’t last more than five or six years.
The seventies proved to be a rough time for Johnson, who admitted to nearly starving herself until she weighed just 103 pounds in order to become a size zero.
“I was eating nothing, zero,” Johnson confessed to People. “I drank black coffee, a sip of broth if things got tough, and in the evening, a glass of champagne as a pick me up. We didn’t even drink water. We thought it was fattening.”
One day, she began having convulsions in the back seat of a taxi and had to grab a bag of peanut M&M’s to jolt her blood sugar back. Asked how she survived those years, she says, “You didn’t have to think.”
“The skinner you were, the more fabulous you were,” she continued. “Drug use was encouraged. It was like ‘Oh my god, you are chiseled to the bone.’ All of the things you needed to be a high-class model: high cheekbones, bright eyes, that was all provided by the drugs. It was like being offered a drink. It was one of the perks. People around us always had it.”
Johnson’s cocaine addiction was also prevalent back in the day as she used one gram a day at one point. Looking back on that period, particularly when she suffered a near overdose in 1983, Johnson mentioned that she is “lucky to be alive” today to tell her story.
With being nearly broke, out of work and in a custody battle for her daughter Anansa, with her soon to be ex-husband music industry maven Danny Sims, Johnson finally decided to get herself clean by entering a twelve step program in the early eighties.
“I realized drugs could kill you and my daughter would not have a mother if I didn’t get help,” she said.
In addition to her cocaine addiction and crazy model diet, Johnson’s memoir covers her tumultuous 18-month marriage to Sims, a memorable night at Studio 54 and light-hearted and sexy moments involving men in her life such as Eddie Murphy, actor Chris Noth and tennis icon Arthur Ashe. Also of note was Johnson’s friendship with Michael Jackson, who would call her for makeup tips on covering up is acne.
Nowadays, Johnson still remains active with her lifestyle line, which features mineral makeup, bags and a line of hair extensions, and a new reality TV show. But it’s her being among the women accusing Bill Cosby of drugging her years ago that has put her back on the public radar.
Coming forward to speak on her encounter with the comedian was moment that made Johnson realize “I have to use my voice for good.”
“I didn’t plan on that being part of my legacy,” she shared with People. “It’s not about fashion. It was ugly but it will forever be part of who I am.”
For more of Johnson’s interview with People on her new memoir, click here.
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