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Bella Hadid, Anok Yai… when models walk the runway in music videos
Runways aren’t the only stage where top models shine. Many have also starred in high-profile music videos. Here’s a look at some spectacular clips featuring Bella Hadid, Kate Moss, Anok Yai, and Emily Ratajkowski.
by Violaine Schütz.
Although the very first music video dates back to 1894 in the US, what we consider the modern music video truly began in 1983 with Michael Jackson’s legendary Thriller, directed by John Landis. Initially seen as a way to build an artist’s world and boost record and ticket sales, the music video quickly became an essential format, now rivaling cinema in its creativity. Visionary directors like Michel Gondry and Spike Jonze even transitioned into acclaimed filmmakers. MTV’s Video Music Awards were created to honor these mini-films.
The music video: a perfect stage for high-profile guests, from actors to models
From the ’80s through the 2000s, countless clips became pop culture landmarks like A-ha’s Take on Me (1984), Mylène Farmer’s risqué Pourvu qu’elles soient douces (1988), Daft Punk’s disco Around the World (1997), Britney Spears’ breakout …Baby One More Time (1998), or Kylie Minogue’s Can’t Get You Out of My Head (2001).
While artists are typically the stars of their own videos, guest appearances can steal the spotlight. Celebrities like Angelina Jolie, Sydney Sweeney, Eva Mendes, Tom Hanks, Jake Gyllenhaal, Natalie Portman, Bruce Willis, Ben Affleck, Andrew Garfield, Christopher Walken, Courteney Cox, and Scarlett Johansson have all appeared in music videos for the Rolling Stones, Carly Rae Jepsen, Will Smith, The Shoes, Devendra Banhart, Gorillaz, Jennifer Lopez, Arcade Fire, Fatboy Slim, Bruce Springsteen, and Justin Timberlake.
However, models too have left a lasting mark on music video history.
The Supermodels, heroines of George Michael’s iconic music videos
One can’t forget young Christy Turlington in Duran Duran’s Notorious (1986), or the ‘90s supermodels, Naomi Campbell, Linda Evangelista, Tatjana Patitz, Christy Turlington, Cindy Crawford in Freedom! ’90 (1990). Evangelista, Eva Herzigova, Nadja Auermann, Estelle Hallyday, and Tyra Banks later featured in the equally addictive Too Funky (1992) by George Michael.
The ‘90s also gave us the sensual In the Closet (1991) by Michael Jackson with Naomi Campbell, the rock-tinged November Rain (1991) by Guns N’ Roses featuring Stephanie Seymour, and the smoldering Wicked Game (1989) by Chris Isaak with Helena Christensen.
Kate Moss, who has even tried singing herself, has starred in clips such as Some Velvet Morning (2002) by Primal Scream, I Just Don’t Know What To Do With Myself (2003) by The White Stripes (directed by Sofia Coppola), White Light (2012) by George Michael, Queenie Eye (2013) by Paul McCartney, Tomorrow Night We’ll Go Anywhere by Evan Voytas, and Ritual Spirit (2016) by Massive Attack.
Anok Yai, Emily Ratajkowski, and Bella Hadid in videos by Travis Scott, Offset, and Mustafa
In the 2000s and 2010s, Laetitia Casta featured in Te Amo (2010) by Rihanna, while Chanel Iman, Joan Smalls, and Jourdan Dunn danced in Beyoncé’s Yoncé (2013). Agyness Deyn shone in the haunting Iron (2011) by Woodkid. And in 2015, Taylor Swift assembled Cara Delevingne, Karlie Kloss, Gigi Hadid, and Cindy Crawford for Bad Blood.
More recently, Anok Yai appeared in clips by Offset and Travis Scott (alongside the equally statuesque Emily Ratajkowski), while Alex Consani and Gabbriette starred in Charli XCX’s now-iconic 360 (2024). In 2025, Gabbriette made another splash in JT’s ultra-sexy Ran Out.
Bella Hadid took center stage in Mustafa’s Gaza is Calling, while her sister, Gigi Hadid, featured in Pillowtalk (2016) by Zayn.
The best music videos featuring models
Charli XCX – 360 (2024) with Gabbriette and Alex Consani
Travis Scott – I Know ? (2024) with Emily Ratajkowski & Anok Yai
Offset – Swing My Way (2024) with Anok Yai
Mustafa – Gaza is Calling (2024) with Bella Hadid
Mustafa – Imaan (2024) with Imaan Hammam & Mona Tougaard
Damso – 911 (2021) with Noémie Lenoir.
