Backlash After Fifa Makes Adriana Lima Global Fan Ambassador

Adriana Lima's appointment as Fifa's global fan ambassador has caused some controversy, with former women's football captain Moya Dodd saying it feels "out of place".

She also brought up Lima's 2006 remarks that abortion was a crime and asked whether Lima would promote messages regarding body image, wellbeing and healthy eating.

Why do we need a supermodel?

When you think of a supermodel, you likely envision an elegant and stunning woman walking the runway in all her designer-adorned glory. This concept has been around since 1950 with models like Cindy Crawford, Christy Turlington, Linda Evangelista, Naomi Campbell and Tatjana Patitz being recognized for their stunning looks.

Supermodels often command high rates and endorsements for clothing, shoes and other products, which can translate to substantial wealth for their families.

But there are also some controversial opinions surrounding the term "supermodel." Some believe it promotes an unrealistic beauty standard and that more natural-looking models would serve as better role models. Others think it demonstrates an elitism and lack of equality within the fashion industry.

Supermodels have a long and storied past, yet they are less prevalent today due to changes in society such as social media and the internet that have altered people's perception of what it takes to reach the top.

Many have begun to question why we even need supermodels in the first place. Some argue that there are plenty of naturally attractive women who could serve as better role models than models like Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell or even Kendall Jenner and Gigi Hadid.

Conversely, some argue that supermodels possess an unparalleled power to shape the world in a positive way. Models such as Karlie Kloss, Cara Delevingne, Emily Ratajkowski and Gigi Hadid have all been known for using their position of influence to advocate for causes close to their hearts.

Although Fifa made Adriana Lima Wome their global fan ambassador ahead of the Women's World Cup, there has been some backlash. Former football administrators, players and gender equality campaigners have all labeled this appointment as deaf-eyed and unnecessary.

Moya Dodd, former FIFA Council member, called the decision "baffling" and sent a strong message to women's soccer that Fifa doesn't understand it.

Why are they paid so much?

Supermodels hold a great deal of influence in the fashion industry and often get hired as ambassadors, meaning they receive substantial compensation for representing brands. This could include money earned through modeling in fashion shows, acting roles or even starting their own fashion label.

Top models consistently earn millions of dollars each year, and this hasn't changed over the years. Models strive to keep their careers going strong while remaining fearless when it comes to trying new ways to boost their income.

They have a reputation for being extremely attractive, which can open doors to many jobs opportunities. Models frequently get hired to walk in fashion shows or appear in commercials for companies such as Louis Vuitton and Gucci.

Another way they may earn money is their Instagram account, since having a large following can be extremely valuable to brands. Through this platform, they are able to promote their business and lifestyle.

Today, many supermodels have their own social media accounts and are known for posting photos that showcase their lifestyle and success. This has become an essential aspect of the modeling industry and supermodels are constantly striving to develop these platforms and cultivate an Instagram persona that will increase their followings.

Modeling can be a competitive industry, so it's no shock that they are paid so well. On average, models earn around $21,870 annually; however, this amount may differ based on experience and how long you have been in the business.

It is an extremely competitive field, so having an impressive portfolio is essential if you want to stand out. That means being highly talented and having a stunning appearance are essential if you want to land your dream job.

This can be an expensive career, so having a healthy bank account is necessary in order to remain solvent and continue finding work. This may prove particularly challenging if you live in big cities such as New York or Los Angeles where there are many models.

Why are they so popular?

Look at the models featured on Vogue cover today, and you'll notice their popularity has grown exponentially due to social media. Gigi Hadid, Kendall Jenner and Kaia Gerber have all become household names thanks to their enormous followings.

How did they all get there? Through hard work. They had to establish a reputation, assemble an army of promoters, agents, publicists and managers - all while building a body capable of doing amazing things like being featured on fashion magazine covers!

In the 1980s, fashion experienced a major revolution - supermodels were its stars! Models like Linda Evangelista and Kate Moss, pioneering heroin-chic fashion trends, became so iconic that they inspired numerous ad campaigns from Calvin Klein to Pepsi.

And then there was Iman, a Somalian model who became the face of Yves Saint Laurent's 1985 "African Queen" collection. She epitomized the exotic beauty that fuelled the '80s craze and was also seen as a sex icon due to her long legs and tanned skin.

She served as an inspirational role model for other models, particularly women of color who often had difficulty landing roles on the fashion runway. Indeed, her presence inspired many other black models to break into the industry.

Some of them even went on to become successful models themselves, such as Tyra Banks who began her career in 1991 and earned herself the title of Supermodel.

Back then, things were much different and many of the models who would become famous weren't even born yet! They had to wait until they were old enough or had family connections in the industry to launch their modeling careers.

In the 1980s, supermodels like Elle Macpherson and Christie Brinkley became icons of high-end clothing brands, perfumes, cosmetics - they even had their own lines of lingerie! They became staples on magazine covers!

But as the 1990s progressed, this glam aesthetic began to fade away. Instead, a new sense of sexiness emerged, with supermodels becoming the icon for the decade.

Why are they so controversial?

Modeling can be a controversial career choice. It may be dangerous and some may even suggest it's not suitable for young girls. Nevertheless, there are many successful models who have made an impact in the fashion industry and serve as role models to young women.

Criticism has been leveled at the industry for its representation and depiction of women's bodies. Some claim it's a "fantasy," with unrealistic standards set. Others maintain that models featured in advertising campaigns promote unhealthy body ideals.

Recently, the fashion industry has taken steps to address these issues. For instance, Barbie recently introduced a range of dolls with different skin tones and sizes designed to more accurately reflect real-life female figures.

However, there are still some issues with the supermodel phenomenon which don't get enough attention. The most pressing one concerns how models are chosen and if they actually fit enough to walk the runway.

Models who are often overweight have been accused of sending the wrong message about body image and eating disorders. Furthermore, some have been accused of abusing weight-lifting and diet programs to maintain their figures.

Other issues involve blackface and racial appropriation. In the past, white models would often use black makeup in photoshoots or style their hair to look like someone else's.

One notable instance was British Vogue's cover feature of nine African models in 2022. While this marked an important step forward for diversity, some critics felt the models' faces appeared too dark.

Another issue is that some models may not always be the most desirable. Australian model Sophie Applegarth was heavily criticised for her 'black face' during a photoshoot.

Other models have also been criticized for using the internet or social media to showcase their work. Furthermore, many of them cannot afford all the things they want.