How George Michael Convinced the World's Biggest Models to Star in the Music Video for 'Freedom! ‘90”

Inviting the biggest supermodels on the planet to take part in the music video for the hit “Freedom! '90", George Michael had no idea that he was writing a page in fashion history. Narrative.

1990. Just four years after parting ways with hit band “Wham! », George Michael unveils his second solo album. After “Faith”, it is the turn of “Listen Without Prejudice, Vol 1.” to see the light of day. Will he meet the same success as his predecessor, which won him a Grammy Award in 1988? If the singer hopes for it, he no longer has the courage to promote it. After several years at the center of media attention, he wants to distance himself from fame. But while he intends to be as discreet as possible, his record company, Sony at the time, asks him to record the clips of his new titles. He refuses and is about to embark on a long-term fight with the American giant when the solution comes to him. As he strolls down the street, he comes face to face with the cover of "Vogue" magazine, the January 1990 issue. It features five of the biggest supermodels on the planet, namely Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, Christy Turlington, Linda Evangelista and Tatjana Patitz. This black and white photograph is by Peter Lindbergh and will become one of the most famous photos of star models. And if instead of putting himself on stage, George Michael put them in the spotlight in “Freedom! ‘90’? They would thus sing the song in playback, allowing it to slip away while ensuring good visibility for the piece.

Read also: The beginnings of Naomi Campbell: how the Englishwoman was spotted at 15

A bet far from won

After talking to his record company about the project, George Michael goes in search of the young women. A mission that turns out to be more perilous than expected, the latter being in high demand and constantly traveling to the other side of the world. He will nevertheless meet Naomi Campbell in Los Angeles, during a social evening. “I was told that if you agreed to shoot in the clip, the others would follow. What could I do to convince you? asks the singer. Amused, the one who is nicknamed “the black panther” points out that the filming would take place in London, while they all lived in the United States. Sweeping away the information with the back of his hand, he arranges to meet her in the English capital a few months later. The top first convinces Christy Turlington and Tajana Patitz, before they all end up accepting the proposal.

The day before the recording, Naomi Campbell is in Paris. “Some of us paraded for Thierry Mugler, she remembers in the pages of the “New York Times”. He had seen the big picture by organizing five consecutive shows with 76 models in each of them. The last one ended around 3 a.m. We jumped in a taxi to pack our bags and catch the first flight to London. Christy Turlington joins them from Los Angeles. “It was only in the car, on the way to the studio, that I listened to the song. When I arrived, I barely knew the lyrics! ".

A glamorous and sexy shoot

Arrived on site, the young women will shoot their scene in turn. They will be filmed by David Fincher, director of "Seven" and "Fight Club", who had already collaborated with Madonna for the clips of "Vogue" and "Express Yourself". Naomi Campbell will thus appear dancing to the rhythm of the music from her headphones, Cindy Crawford naked in a bathtub, Christy Turlington wearing a white sheet as her only clothing, Linda Evangelista pensive and melancholy and Tatjana Patitz, singing, cigarette in hand. During filming, George Michael is never far away. “I remember that George was very shy, relates Christy Turlington to the magazine “Rolling Stones”. He had come, alone, with a cap on his head. He didn't talk much but was very involved. I was a little embarrassed to forget the words in front of him, but as soon as I couldn't remember certain sentences, I lowered my head so that only my eyes could be seen. It worked ! »

“My fondest memory is unquestionably when George tried to teach me how to play back. I couldn't stop myself from singing, remembers Linda Evangelista in the pages of "V Magazine". He had been very understanding. It only took a few hours for us to start having a little too much fun. There was a little too much red wine on the board! From that day on, he became one of my closest friends. »

A pop culture reference

Twenty years later, the music video for “Freedom! '90' is still considered a cult short, featuring fashion icons at the height of their glory. "Even today, it's the thing I hear about the most," Linda Evangelista told "Harper's Bazaar." I've done tons of magazine covers, but no, people keep talking to me about the clip. It's pretty amazing! “This song has become a classic, outbids Christy Turlington. When I'm somewhere and it's played, I feel all eyes in the room turn to me. " Unforgettable.