Jessica White

Ladies and gentleman, we introduce you to next generation of Black supermodels, Sport Illustrated swimsuit cutie, Jessica White.

Whether gracing the runways for New York’s top designers including Ralph Lauren, Oscar de la Renta, Marc Jacobs and Tommy Hilfiger or being dubbed by Tyra Banks, “the model of her generation,” White continues to make history on the catwalk.

Last year, White made history by becoming the only Black model to ever have two make-up contracts in her career when she signed with Mabyelline.

In addition, she has done pictorials for Harper’s Bazaar, Teen Vogue, King and covers shots for Surface and Trace magazines. In 2003, White was chosen for a coveted shoot in Sports Illustrated’s famed Swimsuit Issue. She was also featured in the 2004, 2005 and 2007 issues. In 2005, she became the first African-American model to be featured in three consecutive editions of the annual feature.

You may have also seen White in music videos with John Legend and Jay-Z. Whether you have or not, you can always enjoy seeing her here!

Jessica White

Jessica White (born 1984 in Buffalo, New York) is an African-American model and occasional actress.

At the age of 16 she was scouted in her hometown of Buffalo, New York and had gone to Personal Best modeling school, run by Susan Makai, at age fourteen. Then was whisked off to Paris where she signed a contract with the IMG agency. In the next six months she landed campaigns for CoverGirl, Chloé, and Gap.

She was soon walking the runways for New York’s top designers including Ralph Lauren, Oscar de la Renta, Marc Jacobs and Tommy Hilfiger. Tyra Banks dubbed her “the model of her generation. In June 2007 White signed a contract with Maybelline making her the only African-American model to have ever had two make-up contracts in her career.

She has walked the runways for New York’s top designers including Ralph Lauren, Oscar de la Renta,Marc Jacobs, and Tommy Hilfiger. She has done pictorials for Harper’s Bazaar, Teen Vogue, King and covers shots for Surface and Trace magazines. In 2003, White was chosen for a coveted shoot in Sports Illustrated’s famed Swimsuit Issue. She was also featured in the 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008 and 2009 issues. In 2005, she became the first African-American model to be featured in three consecutive editions of the annual feature.

In addition to working with world class photographers she was the object/subject of several Joanne Gair body painting works in these editions. She holds the distinction of being the only Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model to appear on the cover in a body painting although only as an inset. White is currently part of Elite plus in New York City.

Check out some of her photos from Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue