Last week, Sudanese-born top model Ajak Deng took to her Instagram page to announce that she would be leaving the fashion industry as a result as “fakes and lies.” A statement from her agent in Australia also pointed to racism within the industry, especially from clients, as a factor in Deng’s decision.
Now it appears that Deng has had a change of heart. After an outpouring of responses, mostly lamenting her choice, Deng recently announced that she won’t be going anywhere.
I remember my first season in Milan, walking through the the airport and saw @philipppleininternational campaign. Wishing I could one day be one of the faces up there, NOW all I can say is thank you for making my dream come true. P.s my first season in Milan, no one booked me and I was so destroyed because they won't booking black girls like me that season and thank god for my sweet and encouraging agent @meansss who told me that there was absolutely nothing wrong with me and that I was one of the most beautiful girl in the world, so wiped off those tears, come back to New York and let's change their minds one day at a time. She continued to support and still have my back even though I decided to throw it all away after our hard work and for that I came to realize that she is my spirit and a guiding angel. I was selfish to only think of my self and forgetting the people that has always been there for me through the worst times and good times. I feel like I have touched so many young people's lives, gave them hope. Just because I come from NOTHING does not mean that I can't make something for myself and for that I will still want to continued to touched more lives. Yes sure giving up is easier but who will fight the war that we are so in denial about? I am just getting started and modeling isn't the only Thing I will be successful in, in my life time. I apologize to every kind souls/hearts that I have broken in the past week. I thought giving up was easier but I am going to stay and fight this war with kindness, forgiveness, love and support to all humanity. We are all beautiful and deserved to be respected. #BigLoveToHumanity.
A photo posted by AJAK DENG (@ajak_deng) on Feb 28, 2016 at 6:17am PST
Opening Image Credit: Ajak Deng by Sunday Style Australia by Nick Hudson.
