Jourdan Dunn Speaks Out About Her Teenage Confidence Issues: “I Hated Being Me”

It’s difficult to believe that British supermodel Jourdan Dunn would have confidence issues – she’s walked in masses of fashion week shows, fronted campaigns for the likes of Rimmel and Yves St Laurent, and has even appeared in Beyonce’s ‘Yonce’ music video. But now the 24 year-old has revealed that she hasn’t always felt secure with her looks.

Speaking to The Times about her teenage years, Jourdan said, "I didn't want to leave the house. I didn't want to look in the mirror. I would feel physically sick. I hated being me. I hated going to school. I already didn't like the way I looked and now people were making me feel bad."

Despite being scouted in Primark (there’s hope for us yet girls) aged just 16, Jourdan’s confidence dropped further when rejection struck; “Once I did get scouted, and would get turned down for jobs because I was too skinny, it was really damaging for me," she says.

Having such a drastic lifestyle change also took it’s toll on her social life, and she soon realised the fashion world wasn’t as glamorous as it seemed. “I didn't enjoy being away from my family. I would rather be at home with my friends,” she recalls. “I didn't enjoy the attitude. The politics. It was just too much. I used to think it was a real headache walking all those shows. There has not been one fashion week where I have not cried.”

Jourdan’s life was notably altered when she gave birth to son Riley, aged just 18. The 5 year-old was diagnosed with sickle cell disease while still in the womb, which dramatically changed his mother’s outlook on life: "I thought to myself: Jourdan, you have this great career in front of you. You can set your son up for life. Just go for it."

Jourdan became an ambassador for the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America last year, and continues to raise awareness about the struggles that come with the disease.

by Caroline Saramowicz