Ask anyone who the first supermodel was, and you might get a different answer depending on the decade. Janice Dickinson has spent decades telling anyone who will listen that she deserves that title. But behind the bold claims is a career filled with real magazine covers, messy relationships, and a lawsuit that’s still playing out in British courts.
Born: February 16, 1955 · Age (as of 2025): 70 · Profession: Model, television personality, businesswoman · Claimed title: World’s first supermodel
Quick snapshot
- Born February 16, 1955 in Brooklyn, New York (Wikipedia (encyclopedic reference))
- Rose to prominence as a model in the 1970s and 1980s (Women’s Wear Daily (fashion trade publication))
- Dated Sylvester Stallone in the early 1990s (Evening Standard (London newspaper))
- Filed a lawsuit against ITV in 2024 over a set injury (Taylor Hampton (law firm))
- Whether Dickinson truly was the first supermodel, or if that title belongs to models like Twiggy or Naomi Sims (IMDb (user-edited database))
- Exactly how much Sylvester Stallone paid for her surgeries, if at all (Yahoo Entertainment (news aggregator))
- The full extent of her relationship with Liam Neeson (Evening Standard)
- 1955: Born in Brooklyn, New York (Wikipedia)
- 1970s–1980s: Becomes one of the highest-paid models (WWD)
- 2002: Publishes memoir claiming “world’s first supermodel” title (Sydney Morning Herald (Australian newspaper))
- 2024: Files lawsuit against ITV over facial scarring (Taylor Hampton)
- ITV lawsuit proceedings — likely to continue through 2025 (Mirror (UK tabloid))
- Potential further media appearances and memoir re-releases (YouTube (interview channel))
Six key facts about Janice Dickinson, one pattern: the gap between what she claims and what the record shows.
| Label | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Born | February 16, 1955 | Wikipedia |
| Occupation | Model, television personality, businesswoman | Encyclopedia.com (reference publisher) |
| Nationality | American | Wikipedia |
| Claimed title | World’s first supermodel | Sydney Morning Herald |
| Children | 1 (Savannah, born 1994) | Evening Standard |
| Legal status | Suing ITV (2024) | Taylor Hampton |
Is Janice Dickinson really the world’s first supermodel?
Dickinson has repeatedly called herself the “world’s first supermodel” — it’s the title of her 2002 memoir, No Lifeguard on Duty: The Accidental Life of the World’s First Supermodel (Women’s Wear Daily (fashion trade publication)). But the label predates her by more than a decade.
Who coined the term supermodel?
- The term “supermodel” was used in the 1960s and 1970s for models like Twiggy and Naomi Sims (IMDb (user-edited database)).
- A 2002 Sydney Morning Herald profile described Dickinson as “the world’s first supermodel, or so she says” (Sydney Morning Herald (Australian newspaper)).
- Dickinson told Newsweek she was “the first to do editorial, runway, TV commercials, spokesperson and catalogs” (Encyclopedia.com (reference publisher)).
The implication: Dickinson’s claim is more about branding than historical fact. The term existed before her, and other models have stronger claims to the title.
What was Janice Dickinson’s impact on 1970s fashion?
- She was one of the biggest models of the 1970s and 1980s, appearing on covers of Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, and Cosmopolitan (Women’s Wear Daily).
- She later became a judge on America’s Next Top Model from 2003 to 2006 (Wikipedia).
The pattern: Dickinson undoubtedly had a significant modeling career, but the “first supermodel” title is a self-promotional claim, not a widely acknowledged fact.
Dickinson’s greatest achievement may be convincing the public that she was the first — even if the record shows she wasn’t. The catch: her brand is built on a claim that crumbles under scrutiny, yet it has kept her in the spotlight for decades.
Did Sylvester Stallone pay for Janice Dickinson’s surgery?
Dickinson dated Sylvester Stallone in the early 1990s (Evening Standard (London newspaper)). In a 2024 interview, she said she got her first plastic surgery at age 32 while dating him (Yahoo Entertainment (news aggregator)).
What surgery did Janice Dickinson have?
- She reportedly underwent a nose job and breast augmentation (Yahoo Entertainment).
- She also claimed that Stallone injected her with steroids during their relationship — a claim Stallone denied in 2012 (Evening Standard).
Why did Sylvester Stallone pay for it?
- Dickinson has said Stallone paid for the surgeries after a breakup, though the exact details remain unclear (Yahoo Entertainment).
- She also sold gifts from Stallone to pay for other expenses (Sydney Morning Herald).
What this means: the Stallone-Dickinson relationship was messy and included a paternity dispute — DNA testing later proved Stallone was not the father of her daughter Savannah (Evening Standard). The surgery payment story is plausible but unverified.
Why did they get rid of Janice Dickinson?
Dickinson was removed from the reality show I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! after a fall on set caused facial scarring. She later sued ITV, the production company.
Which show removed Janice Dickinson?
- She was a contestant on I’m a Celebrity… South Africa in 2023 (Mirror (UK tabloid)).
- After the fall, she was removed from the show and later required medical treatment (Taylor Hampton (law firm)).
What incidents led to her dismissal?
- The fall reportedly caused permanent scarring on her face (Mirror).
- Dickinson claims ITV failed to provide adequate safety measures, leading to the accident (Taylor Hampton).
Why this matters: the incident ended her participation in the show and triggered a legal battle that could set a precedent for reality TV safety standards in the UK.
Did Liam Neeson date Janice Dickinson?
Yes, Dickinson and Liam Neeson reportedly dated briefly in the 2000s. The relationship was short-lived but generated tabloid headlines.
How long did they date?
- No specific timeline is publicly available, but the relationship was described as brief (Evening Standard).
What did Janice Dickinson say about Liam Neeson?
- Dickinson made public comments about Neeson’s anatomy, which were widely reported in the press (Evening Standard).
The trade-off: the relationship appears to have been a minor episode in both their lives, but Dickinson’s willingness to speak openly about it kept her in the gossip columns.
Why is Janice Dickinson suing I’m a celebrity?
Dickinson’s lawsuit against ITV, filed in 2024, stems from the fall on the set of I’m a Celebrity… South Africa.
What happened during the fall?
- She fell while filming a challenge and suffered facial injuries (Mirror (UK tabloid)).
- Her legal team at Taylor Hampton says the accident was caused by ITV’s failure to provide a safe environment (Taylor Hampton (law firm)).
What is the legal basis of the lawsuit?
- Dickinson is seeking damages for permanent scarring and emotional distress (Mirror).
- The law firm’s press release identifies her as a “supermodel” — a label that continues to be used in legal and media contexts (Taylor Hampton).
The pattern: even in a lawsuit, the “supermodel” branding persists. The case is ongoing and could have implications for duty of care on reality TV sets.
If Dickinson wins, ITV may face stricter safety protocols. If she loses, it reinforces the risk that reality participants bear when they sign up for extreme challenges. For Dickinson, the legal battle is also a chance to reclaim the spotlight.
Timeline: Janice Dickinson’s life and career
- 1955 — Born in Brooklyn, New York (Wikipedia)
- 1970s — Rises to fame as a model in New York and Paris (Women’s Wear Daily)
- 1980s — Becomes one of the highest-paid models; appears on magazine covers (Women’s Wear Daily)
- 2000s — Appears on reality TV shows like America’s Next Top Model and I’m a Celebrity… (Wikipedia)
- 2024 — Files lawsuit against ITV over facial scarring from a fall on set (Taylor Hampton)
What we know for sure — and what remains unclear
Confirmed facts
- Janice Dickinson was born in 1955 and is still alive (Wikipedia)
- She had a relationship with Sylvester Stallone in the early 1990s (Evening Standard)
- She filed a lawsuit against ITV in 2024 (Taylor Hampton)
- She has one daughter, Savannah (Evening Standard)
What’s unclear
- Whether she is genuinely the world’s first supermodel (IMDb)
- Whether Stallone paid for her plastic surgery (Yahoo Entertainment)
- The full details of her relationship with Liam Neeson (Evening Standard)
- The outcome of the ITV lawsuit (Mirror)
Quotes from the key players
“I was the first to do editorial, runway, TV commercials, spokesperson and catalogs.”
— Janice Dickinson, as quoted by Encyclopedia.com
Stallone denied Dickinson’s claim that he injected her with steroids, calling it “ridiculous.”
— Evening Standard report
For Dickinson, the brand is everything. The lawsuit against ITV is not just about compensation — it’s a final act in a career built on self-promotion. For the reality TV industry, the case is a warning: safety standards on set matter, and the consequences of negligence can be expensive. The choice for producers is clear: invest in proper safety protocols, or face the legal fallout.
For a deeper dive into the first supermodel claim, this detailed biography examines the evidence behind her self-proclaimed title.
Frequently asked questions
How old is Janice Dickinson?
Janice Dickinson was born on February 16, 1955, making her 70 years old as of 2025 (Wikipedia).
What is Janice Dickinson’s net worth?
Her net worth is not publicly verified, but estimates from various sources range from $1 million to $5 million. No official financial disclosure is available.
Is Janice Dickinson still alive?
Yes, Janice Dickinson is alive as of 2025 (Wikipedia).
Who is Janice Dickinson’s husband?
Dickinson has been married several times, most recently to Robert Gerner (2009–2012). She is currently not married.
What is Janice Dickinson’s height?
Her height is often reported as 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm), though this is not officially confirmed.
Does Janice Dickinson have children?
Yes, she has one daughter, Savannah, born in 1994 (Evening Standard).
What is Janice Dickinson’s real name?
Her full name is Janice Doreen Dickinson (Wikipedia).
Is Janice Dickinson still modeling?
She no longer models regularly but makes occasional appearances and continues to trade on her supermodel reputation.
Related reading
George Thompson is Senior Reporter at UrbanMixr.uk, covering breaking culture, lifestyle and general news stories across the UK.