What do you call a model who breaks the boundaries of the fashion industry and becomes a household name—not just in America, but around the world? A supermodel. You already know the term. These are the pop culture icons who grace the pages of our favorite editorials and walk the runway at the biggest fashion shows.
Think of Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell, Tyra Banks, Gigi Hadid, or Kate Moss. These supermodels are trendsetters. They’re admired not just for their signature looks but also for their charisma, influence, and lasting impact. But have you ever wondered who paved the runway for all the supermodels we know today? That honor belongs to the very first supermodel: Janice Dickinson.
In this post, we’ll explore who Janice Dickinson is, what made her famous, and what she’s up to now. You might not recognize her name, but like all supermodels, you’ll definitely recognize her face.
Who Is Janice Dickinson? Meet the World’s First Supermodel
Janice Dickinson is an American model, reality TV star, and bestselling author. In the 1980s and ’90s, she was a world-famous high-fashion model. More specifically, Janice appeared in dozens of major magazines, like Vogue and Glamour. She also walked runways for prestigious designers, such as Chanel and Versace!
Later, she transitioned from working model to what we’d now call a fashion influencer. She hosted and judged several modeling-focused competition shows and appeared on numerous talk shows and reality series. Janice has remained in the spotlight and continues to be a cultural icon, known for her bold personality, signature look, and infectious charisma.
How Did Janice Dickinson Become Famous?
Janice Dickinson first rose to fame in the ‘70s and ’80s as one of the most recognizable models in history. Her global success is actually what inspired her to coin the term “supermodel.” By the 1990s, her modeling work began to slow down, and she faded from the spotlight. But in the early 2000s, she made a major comeback! She became a judge on the hit show America’s Next Top Model alongside Tyra Banks—reminding everyone why she was a true icon.
Want to hear Janice Dickinson’s story in her own words? Listen to her episode of the Him & Her Show, where she dives into her past and fills us in on what she’s up to lately:
Was Janice Dickinson the First Supermodel?
In our hearts, yes. Janice Dickinson was the first supermodel. That said, things are a little more complicated than that. Here’s what’s true: Janice Dickinson invented the word “supermodel” and was the first to use it to identify herself. People did not widely use the term before that. However, there are definitely models before her that fit the bill of “supermodel.”
To be a supermodel, you must meet these specific qualifiers:
- Be an internationally famous, high-earning model
- Work with top designers and major magazines
- Be known for charisma, influence, and signature style
- Set global fashion and beauty trends
- Be recognized as a cultural icon beyond modeling
Of course, Janice Dickinson is all of those things. But was she the first person in history to fit all the criteria? No. Models like Twiggy, Jean Shrimptom, and Imam all came before her and had similar star power. If we want to get technical, the first true supermodel was Lisa Fonssagrives, who was on over 200 magazine covers in the 1930s-1950s.
What Happened to Janice Dickinson?
Transitioned from Supermodel to Television Personality
Every model’s career has an expiration date. Since so much depends on age and trends, no model can stay on the runway forever. After two decades as a working model, Janice’s career began to shift in the 1990s and early 2000s.
She moved into mentorship by launching her own modeling agency and appearing on multiple cycles of America’s Next Top Model. She also starred in her own series, The Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency, which chronicled the growth of her personal brand. Even after both shows ended and the agency closed, Janice continued to make media and reality TV appearances.
Endured Addiction, Financial Hardship, and Public Backlash
With a traumatic past and the pressures of fame, Janice struggled with substance abuse in the ‘80s and ’90s. This impacted her personal life, finances, career, and public image. While trying to cope with these incredible challenges, Janice also struggled with the pressures of fame.
Her bold and unapologetic personality—the one we all love—sometimes turned on others in the fashion industry. This led to tensions and feuds with colleagues, publications, and fashion houses, which partially contributed to her falling out of the public eye. Despite these obstacles, Janice eventually confronted her addictions and worked to rebuild her life and career.
Overcame Cancer and Other Health Obstacles
In 2016, Janice Dickinson was diagnosed with breast cancer. After undergoing chemotherapy, surgery, and recovery treatment, she successfully beat it! Today, she advocates publicly for early detection, regular screenings, and self-exams. While cancer was a major challenge, it wasn’t her only health concern over the years.
Years of substance abuse, extreme dieting, and the pressures of a high-stress career took a toll on Janice’s body. As a result, she deals with chronic fatigue, hormonal imbalances, and stress-related complications. Despite these obstacles, she’s embraced a holistic approach to her mental and physical well-being! She shares her journey openly, inspiring others with her resilience, honesty, and dedication to living a healthier, more empowered life.
Janice Dickinson may not be rocking the runway anymore, but she’s still working! She shares her outspoken and vivacious personality with the world through books, TV appearances, podcast interviews, and social media.
Fans love how, even when discussing difficult topics from her past, she makes everyone laugh with her dark sense of humor and trademark bluntness. Rather than letting her rocky past hold her back, she uses her experiences to help others through advocacy and mentorship.
What Is Janice Dickinson Doing Now?
Releasing Music
In the past, Janice has dabbled in nearly every corner of the entertainment industry—but music was a new frontier for her. In 2022, she began releasing her own singles! By 2023, she dropped an EP titled “I Coined It.” The title is a nod to her role in popularizing the term “supermodel,” of course!
Her music is a retro mix of dance, pop, electronic, and club sounds. It’s definitely party music! (And we love it.) You can stream her entire catalog on Spotify and experience her bold, energetic style for yourself.
Connecting with Fans on Social Media
Janice Dickinson is very active on social media, where you can follow her on Instagram, X, and Facebook. She shares personal stories, behind-the-scenes glimpses of her current projects, and plenty of commentary on pop culture, current events, and, of course, fashion.
If you fell in love with her authentic, witty, and sometimes brash personality on America’s Next Top Model? You’ll definitely enjoy her social content!
Making Media Appearances
Janice Dickinson is frequently invited to guest panels, talk shows, and podcast interviews. And, as expected, she brings energy, charisma, and a captivating presence to every appearance. Whether she’s sharing her inspiring redemption story or giving her blunt take on the latest fashion news, she always keeps audiences engaged.
Recently, she’s appeared on Face to Face with David, Tamron Hall, Undressed with Pol’ and Patrick, and Criminality. And, of course, don’t miss the Janice Dickinson podcast with TSC!
Hosting Her Own Podcast
In 2025, Janice launched her own podcast, Who the F#ck Gave Janice a Podcast, which she co-hosts with her close friend Andrea Boyer. On the show, they dive into pop culture, fashion, beauty, and plenty of wild personal stories. It’s one of the best ways to get a regular dose of Janice’s bold, hilarious, and seriously captivating storytelling.
Appearing on Reality TV
Janice is the perfect person to appear on a reality TV show. She’s effortlessly fun, instantly engaging, and never afraid to tell it like it is.
In recent years, she has made plenty of memorable appearances. Catch her on shows like House of Villains, I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here!, and even The Bachelor. Her bold personality, sharp wit, and candid observations make her instantly stand out each time she’s featured. As you may have assumed, Janice continues to prove that her charisma extends far beyond the runway.
Publishing Books
One of Janice’s proudest accomplishments is writing and releasing her memoirs. Each book explores a different aspect of her life and experiences. Check, Please!: Dating, Mating, and Extricating, for example, focuses on relationships, love, and her dating adventures.
No Lifeguard on Duty: The Accidental Life of the World’s First Supermodel and Everything About Me Is Fake… and I’m Perfect, on the other hand, are memoirs. Both dive into Janice’s challenging past, illustrious modeling career, and inspiring journey of recovery.
All of her books are must-reads, but if we had to choose a favorite, it would be the first memoir. Check out our book review of No Lifeguard on Duty to see why we think it’s so compelling!
Janice Dickinson’s story is one of resilience, reinvention, and unapologetic authenticity.
Janice Dickinson isn’t just a name in fashion history—she’s a force of nature. She’s faced the highs of fame, the lows of personal struggle, and everything in between, yet she’s never lost her voice, her humor, or her fearlessness. Today, she continues to captivate, inspire, and challenge the world, proving that charisma and courage never go out of style.
Want to hear perspectives from other supermodels? Listen to these episodes of the Him & Her Show next:
- Nicole Trunfio: The Supermodel Behind BUMPSUIT, Empowering Women To Love Their Pregnancy Bodies, & How To Feel Confident At Every Stage
- Cindy Crawford – The Icon & Legendary Supermodel on Life’s Reflections, Health, Wellness, Beauty, & Diet
- Supermodel Turned Entrepreneur Karolína Kurková on Wellness, Work Ethic, Diet, & Evolving Your Career