Supermodel Cara Delevingne has revealed she carries a “chip on her shoulder” from her experiences in the fashion industry, having worked extensively before the advent of the MeToo movement.
The 33-year-old, who became one of the most recognisable faces in modelling after her career soared in the 2010s, graced runways for prestigious brands such as Victoria’s Secret, Burberry, Chanel, Dior, and Marc Jacobs.
Delevingne has previously spoken candidly about the profound impact the industry had on her, characterising her time as a model as a “rough time”.
Speaking to The Times, she said: “There was no safety then, apart from with other girls.
“It was before MeToo, with this sexual misconduct vibe of straight older photographers, and that is why I am sad, because I still have a chip on my shoulder from all that.
“I would not say, ‘Advocate for more sympathy for celebrities!’. We just need to have sympathy for ourselves and others more in general, because we are brutal about everything.”
The model left London in 2015 and moved to Los Angeles to “reinvent herself” and act.
She added: “I had to break free, whether from holding myself back or from how people saw me.
“I just hated myself so much and I was just so fragile.
“I didn’t have a thick enough skin for it then — but I do now.”
She went on to star in a number of films including 2015’s Paper Towns and 2016’s Suicide Squad alongside Margot Robbie.
Delevingne, who has since launched her music career, said she had to take some time away from the limelight to “nurture” herself and feel more “stable”.
She said: “My spiral into drugs and alcohol didn’t help.
“Men get away with it but I can’t name any women who are crazy actresses, like I was. I would go out with all the stunt guys! It didn’t work out well.
“If you don’t advocate for yourself, nobody will. I was a psycho — going, ‘I’m fine!’. And yes, people should go, ‘You OK?’.
“But then they don’t want to suggest you cancel work. If they do, someone’s not going to get paid.”
Delevingne recently released her singles I Forgot and Out of My Head and has performed a number of shows this summer including in Berlin, Paris, Barcelona, London, Los Angeles and New York.
