A model may refer to any person who is employed in order to advertise, promote or market either products or services. Models may work in different fields such as fashion, advertising, print media and other kinds of media like television, magazines, shows, music videos, reality television or even the internet. The profession of modeling was first introduced by English designer, Charles Frederick Worth, who had requested his wife to wear and display the clothes that he had designed. Subsequently, the need for fashion models increased with the development of the field of fashion photography in the late 1950s. A decade later, in the 1960’s, fashion agencies were established and during that time there was a great demand for models in Paris. By the 1990s modeling became one of the most highly paid professions. The different kinds of models include fashion models, runway models, super models, glamour models, fitness models, camera and commercial print models, promotional models, showroom models and art models. In the 21st century, male models too have become an important part of the fashion industry. Here is a compilation of a list of famous models from across the world, learn more fascinating facts and details about them with their biographies that include trivia, interesting facts, timeline and life history.
This ranking is based on an algorithm that combines various factors, including the votes of our users and search trends on the internet.
Named International Model of the Year by the British Fashion Council in 2016, fashion model Gigi Hadid has made several appearances on international Vogue magazine covers. The daughter of a former model, she began her career as a toddler. She made her mark in her teenage yeaars and continues to be a popular model.
Like many of her other family members, Kendall Jenner gained fame after starring in the American reality television show, Keeping Up with the Kardashians, which focuses on the personal and professional lives of the Kardashian-Jenner family. She is also a fashion model, co-designs a clothing line and was named the world's highest-paid model of 2018 in the Forbes top-earning models list.
With her sharp facial features and stunning figure, actress Megan Fox is undoubtedly a head-turner! Making her debut in the early 2000s as a teenager, she has come a long way in Hollywood and is today counted among the most beautiful and sexiest women in entertainment. She has been featured on various magazine covers as well.
First gaining media attention as a friend and stylist of Paris Hilton, Kim Kardashian didn’t take long to become a celebrity in her own right. She came into the limelight in the early 2000s owing to a leaked sex tape and quickly became a social media celebrity with millions of followers across platforms.
Elsa Pataky is one of the most famous Spanish models and actresses to make it big in the American film industry. She is best known for playing Officer Elena Neves alongside Dwayne Johnson in The Fast and the Furious film franchise. A polyglot, Elsa Pataky can speak Spanish, English, Romanian, Portuguese, French, and Italian fluently.
Irina Shayk became the first Russian model to appear on the cover page of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue in 2011. Widely regarded as an industry icon, Irina Shayk is the face of many international brands. Also a well-known philanthropist in Russia, Irina raises money for a charity organization called Pomogi, which helps sick children.
English actress Cara Delevingne is known for films like Paper Towns, Suicide Squad, Tulip Fever and London Fields. She’s also a very successful fashion model and has been the face of some of the top brands in the world like Burberry, H&M, Zara and Chanel. She has also walked down the catwalk as a model at many prestigious fashion shows.
Rosie Huntington-Whiteley is a popular English model and actress known for being the face of world-renowned brands, such as Victoria's Secret, Burberry, and Marks & Spencer. Known for her stunning looks, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley has been featured on covers of magazines, such as Vogue. She has also been named in lists like FHM's World's Sexiest Woman and Maxim magazine's Hot 100.
Penelope Cruz is a Spanish model and actress who has had major success in the American entertainment industry. Also known for her work as a philanthropist, Cruz has been touching the lives of many for the past several years. Apart from donating money to charity, Cruz has also volunteered in India and Uganda. She has also advocated for PETA's anti-fur campaign.
The popular, award winning gorgeous artist, Scarlett Johansson is the highest paid actress in the world. With an interest in acting, Scarlett Johansson debuted in films at the young age of eight and went on to act in numerous films including Lost in Translation, The Avengers, Hitchcock and Marriage Story. She has also worked in television and released an album.
The Winner of Miss World 2000; a successful actress in Hindi films; the owner of production house that promotes regional Indian cinema and the first Indian actor to play the lead character in an American television show – Priyanka Chopra’s list of achievements is long. The popular star is also a singer, a tech investor and the UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.
From Miss Israel to Wonder Woman, Gal Gadot has made heads turn and take notice of her. Serving two years in Israeli Army as a combat trainer surely helped Gadot in her movie career, where she is known for playing strong, action-oriented roles. She was named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine in 2018.
One of the highest-earning models according to Forbes, Miranda Kerr was the first Victoria's Secret model from Australia. Known for her attractive physique, she is often named in the sexiest women in the world lists by several magazines. She has used her fame and beauty to launch a brand of skincare products called KORA Organics.
Nina Dobrev is one of the most popular Canadian actresses. Apart from her acting career, she is also known for her activism and charity work. She uses her fame to support several charitable causes, such as Puma’s Project Pink. Also an enthusiastic volunteer, Dobrev takes part in social movements like WE movement, Me to We, and We Day.
A former actress best known for her appearances in comedy films, Cameron Diaz is the recipient of numerous accolades, including a New York Film Critics Award. She began modeling as a teenager and was soon flooded with acting offers. Over the years, she became a successful actress and has since retired from acting. She is known for her environmental activism.
Starting out as a child model, Angie Harmon won a modeling contest organized by Seventeen magazine when she was 15. After winning a Spectrum Model Search contest, she pursued a modeling career. She then became an actress and gained international recognition for her performance in series like Baywatch Nights and Law & Order. She also practices taekwondo and boxing.
Olga Kurylenko is a Ukrainian-French model and actress. She gained international recognition after playing a Bond girl in the 2008 film Quantum of Solace. Olga Kurylenko serves as an inspiration to many young girls as she overcame her difficult childhood to become the face of popular brands like Clarins and Bebe.
Adriana Lima is a Brazilian model who became famous as a Victoria's Secret Angel. One of the longest-running Victoria's Secret Angels of all time, Lima was adjudged the most valuable Angel in 2017. Since 2003, she has been serving as a spokesmodel for Maybelline cosmetics. One of the world's highest-paid models, Adriana Lima is also known for her charity work.
Cobie Smulders is one of the most recognized celebrities across the world, thanks to her role as Robin Scherbatsky in one of the most popular TV series of all time - How I Met Your Mother. She also serves as an inspiration to people suffering from cancer as she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer when she was 25 years old.
The daughter of Howard Deutch and Lea Thompson, Zoey Deutch is one of the most successful Hollywood actresses under the age of 30. Apart from acting and appearing on the cover pages of famous magazines, Zoey also participates in fundraising campaigns for charity. She was the star attraction at the 2017 and 2018 Women's March.
Nora Fatehi is a popular figure in the Indian film industry. Although born and raised in Canada. Nora has worked in Malayalam, Telugu, and Hindi language films. She was part of one of the highest-grossing Indian films ever - Baahubali: The Beginning. Apart from appearing in films, she has also made a mark in the TV industry.
Cha Eun-woo is a South Korean model, actor, and singer. He achieved popularity as part of the famous boy band Astro. His popularity increased after playing Do Kyung-seok in a television series titled Gangnam Beauty, after which he was named in GQ Korea magazine's Men of the Year list in 2018.
Leighton Meester has been one of the most beautiful actresses of the current generation. Not surprisingly, she has been featured in several magazine covers and in lists, such as the world's most beautiful women and 100 Most Beautiful Famous Faces. Also a well-known philanthropist, Meester has actively taken part in many charity campaigns.
AnnaSophia Robb is an American model, actress, and singer. Robb started her acting career as a child artist before establishing herself as a successful actress. A multi-talented personality, AnnaSophia Robb quit gymnastics and dancing at a young age to focus on her career as an actress. She serves as an inspiration to young and aspiring actresses.
Indian actress and producer, Anushka Sharma is one of the most popular and highest-paid actresses in the country. She was featured by Forbes Asia in their 30 Under 30 list of 2018 and is the recipient of numerous awards. Beginning her career as a model, she soon ventured into acting and made a name for herself within a short while.
‘The Queen of Porn’ with the name of an Irish whisky! Jenna Jameson may have hung up her shoes as a pornographic actress, but the world recognizes her as the most famous adult entertainment performer who dominated the x-rated film world during 1990s and early 2000s. The model and television personality says she is a gang-rape survivor.
Suki Waterhouse is an English model and actress who was selected as the Mercier Muse for the popular French makeup brand Laura Mercier. Waterhouse used her popularity as a model to launch a direct-to-consumer accessories brand called Pop & Suki, which she co-founded with Poppy Jamie. Since its launch, the brand has been worn by celebrities like Lady Gaga.
American actress and model, Hayden Panettiere, started her career as a child artist. Her fame grew when she portrayed the role of a high school cheerleader with regenerative healing powers in the television series Heroes. She has also worked in the TV series, Nashville, and a number of films like Custody, Scream 4 and Amanda Knox: Murder on Trial in Italy.
Indian actress Rakul Preet Singh started her career as a model and then graduated to films. She made her debut in a Telugu film in 2011 and then did a Tamil film in 2012. In 2014 she starred in a Hindi film Yaariyan. Venkatadri Express, Current Theega, Dhruva, Spyder and De De Pyaar De are some of her notable films.
