Anok Yai’s Departure from Next Management: Unveiling the Future of the Supermodel
World-renowned Sudanese supermodel Anok Yai has officially parted ways with Next Management, sparking intense curiosity within the fashion industry. What made this separation even more intriguing was Yai's vocal response on her Instagram platform, where she addressed Next Management's assertion of her departure.
Photo from Anok Yai
In a swift Instagram story, Yai refuted the agency's announcement and revealed her unwavering determination to flourish independently in the industry. Her response, "Dropped who??? @nextmodels Don't push me into telling everyone the reason why I left… Keep it cute," left no room for ambiguity. Following this statement, she posted an image from a recent project, captioned with a succinct "Anyways..” However, her subsequent post featuring the prestigious Yves Saint Laurent logo unveiled the brand she had collaborated with, making a bold statement about her future endeavors.
Photos from Mario Sorrenti
For those who may need to become more familiar with her meteoric rise, Yai's modeling journey began after a photograph of her at Howard University's 2017 Homecoming went viral across social media platforms. Following this viral moment, major agencies, including IMG, approached her, and she eventually chose to sign with Next Management.
As a devoted observer of her career, I am confident that Yai's trajectory remains secure, with or without Next Management. Her impressive track record speaks volumes, particularly during this fashion month, where she consistently secured high-profile bookings. While her association with Next Management may have facilitated some of these opportunities, there is no denying that her name and talent now resonate globally.
This turn of events has raised pertinent questions about Next Management's approach to their models. How could an agency part ways with a supermodel of Anok Yai's caliber? This unexpected separation has not only left the fashion industry astounded but has also illuminated the agency's decision-making processes and the treatment of their talent.
This also highlights the pressing need to address the mistreatment of Black models in the fashion industry. A growing number of models have courageously initiated conversations shedding light on the obstacles they encounter when hair stylists and makeup artists lack the expertise to accommodate their skin tones and hair textures during shows and photoshoots. Notably, Anok Yai has openly expressed her steadfast commitment to maintaining her natural hair, firmly declining any request to straighten it for projects and opting instead for afros or cornrows. In this context, Yai's request to Next Management not to press her to the point of public disclosure regarding her reasons for leaving the agency prompts us to contemplate whether these industry-wide challenges might have played a role in the separation.
Drawing from my experience as a publicist, I can only imagine the intense stress and concern within Next Management's PR department, assuming they have one. Navigating the fallout of such a high-profile separation is a delicate task, especially when it involves a model as influential as Anok Yai.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding this situation, this is an exciting juncture to closely follow Anok Yai's career. Her incredible journey has taken her from an iconic moment at Howard University's homecoming to gracing the most prestigious event in the fashion world, the Met Gala, multiple times. With her undeniable talent and powerful presence both on and off the runway, it's only a matter of time before we witness the next captivating chapter in Anok Yai's remarkable story. Best wishes to you, Ms. Yai, although you may not need them!