Photo Credit:Joe Maher/Getty Images for BFC
The ‘model of the year’ is generally an event that recognizes the global impact of a model who over the past 12 months has made an impact. The nominees for the 2024 ‘model of the year’ were Alex Consani, Anok Yai, Alva Claire, Amelia Gray, Liu Wen and Mona Tougaard.
During the event, fellow model Ashley Graham and actress Nava Mau presented Alex Consani with the Model of the Year award at the 2024 Fashion Awards at London’s Royal Albert Hall on Monday night. “I’m the first trans woman to win this award. I can’t accept it without thanking the females who came before me and specifically the Black trans community that really fought for the space,” said the 21-year-old model, who was wearing Dilara Findikoglu, as she picked up the award.
This year’s event was met with controversy as many social media users believed that Anok Yai deserved to win. After the announcement, Anok took to her Instagram to post Kanye’s photo. The photo was taken when Kanye West infamously interrupted Taylor Swift’s speech after winning album of the year to shout out Beyoncé for “having the greatest album of all time.” After the post, fans were quick to criticize Anok, with most accusing her of being “jealous.”
“If you have seen the effort that I’ve seen Alex put in; you would understand how proud I am of her. But Alex can be proud and I can be exhausted at the same time. It doesn’t take away how much love we have for each other,” Anok wrote, responding to the backlash. She continued, “Alex, I love you and I’m so proud of you. British Fashion Council, thank you but I don’t want it anymore.”
Despite Anok trying to clear her name, fans under her comment section were not pleased with her explanation. “You can be exhausted, true, but why rain on the parade of someone that you claim to love and care for? Like let her have her moment,” one user wrote. “If she loved her then why did you ruin her moment by posting that petty picture?” another one expressed. Alex Consani is yet to express how she feels about the image Anok posted and series of tweets following her win.
