Naomi Campbell Had Extensive Contacts with Jeffrey Epstein, Files Reveal
British supermodel Naomi Campbell maintained significantly more contact with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein than was previously known, according to newly released documents from the Trump administration. The files, analyzed by The New York Times, show Campbell continued to associate with Epstein even after his 2008 conviction in Florida for soliciting prostitution from a minor.
Documents Show Hundreds of References
Campbell's name appears nearly 300 times in the Justice Department documents, though some entries are duplicates. The model has long acknowledged knowing Epstein through elite fashion circles but maintained she was unaware of his criminal activities during their association. In a 2019 video statement, Campbell called Epstein's crimes sickening and "indefensible."
Her attorney, Martin Singer, told The New York Times: "Prior to Epstein's 2019 arrest in New York, my client knew nothing about his appalling criminal conduct. If my client had ever encountered any young woman whom she thought was being victimized by Epstein, she would have personally taken immediate action to help her."
Business Meetings and Social Events
The documents reveal Campbell's name appeared on a list titled "List of People Who Need JE's Address!" which contained information for corresponding with Epstein while he was in prison. Campbell's lawyer explained that during the late 2000s and early 2010s, when Campbell was living in Russia, she was unaware Epstein was a sex offender and had no knowledge of why her name was on the list.
In 2010, a document shows Epstein directing his assistant to invite apparel executive Linda Wachner to his house for a meeting with Campbell. According to Campbell's lawyer, this meeting occurred because the model was "trying to do a lingerie and swimwear line" and Epstein "led her to believe that he could assist with that." Wachner attended virtually, and no business partnership resulted.
Campbell's attorney stated the model visited Epstein's home office for "3 or 4 business meetings" but never attended any "social event or gathering" there.
Social Connections and Island Visit
That same year, Epstein received invitations to Campbell's birthday party in France and a Paris event celebrating her work with fashion house Dolce & Gabbana. Campbell's lawyer clarified she did not create the guest list for the birthday party, which Epstein did not attend, and that Epstein only briefly appeared at the Dolce & Gabbana event.
Multiple Epstein victims told investigators they saw Campbell at gatherings connected to Epstein, including a dinner party at his New York mansion and on his private island. Campbell's lawyer explained the island visit occurred when "a group of people going to an F1 race" stopped over "on a transfer from a commercial flight."
A 2016 email exchange references Campbell seeking to use Epstein's private plane. Her lawyer confirmed she had been on Epstein's plane "on a few occasions but she never observed any inappropriate conduct of any kind."
Epstein's Use of Campbell's Name
The documents also reveal Epstein allegedly used his connection to Campbell to enhance his reputation. In 2020, an unnamed victim told investigators Epstein promised to secure her jobs at Victoria's Secret and boasted about his relationships with Campbell and billionaire Les Wexner, whose finances Epstein once managed.
Campbell's representatives stated she was unaware Epstein used her name in such conversations and that this was done "entirely without her knowledge or authorization."
Broader Fashion World Connections
Epstein cultivated influential friends across multiple sectors, but his ties to the fashion world were particularly central to his decades of abuse. He used these connections to lure victims with promises of career advancement through high-profile figures and brands.
Beyond Campbell and Wexner, Epstein maintained relationships with:
- Donald Trump during his ownership of the Miss Universe pageant and Trump Models agency
- French modeling agent Jean-Luc Brunel, who died by suicide in prison while under investigation for alleged rape and trafficking of minors
Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein's associate serving a federal prison sentence, has said Department of Justice investigators interviewed her last year about Epstein's ties to various high-profile figures, including Campbell.
The newly released documents provide a more comprehensive picture of Epstein's network within the fashion industry and how he leveraged these connections for criminal purposes over many years.
