Alex Consani Congratulated By Anok Yai After Model Of The Year Award Winner Announced: ‘I Don’t Want It Anymore’

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Alex Consani took home the Model of the Year award at the 2024 Fashion Awards in London on Monday evening. The distinction was presented by model Ashley Graham and actress Nava Mau at Royal Albert Hall.

Anok Yai, who was nominated for the award, posted an online reaction that some fans perceived as a potential diss towards Consani. Following the announcement, she posted a photograph of Kanye West’s interruption of Taylor Swift’s win at the 2009 VMAs on her Instagram Story.

Yai then followed up with tweets addressing her loss. She expressed her frustration and asked the British Fashion Council, who gives out the award, to no longer consider her a contender.

“Alex, I love you and I’m so proud of you,” she tweeted. “British Fashion Council, thank you but I don’t want it anymore”

She followed up with additional words of congratulations towards Consani.

“If you have seen the effort that I’ve seen Alex put in; you would understand how proud I am of her,” she added. “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”

Both Consani and Yai were nominated alongside models Amelia Gray, Liu Wen and Mona Tougaard. Yai was nominated last year but lost the award to Paloma Elsesser.

The Model of the Year award “recognises the global impact of a model who over the last 12 months has dominated the industry,” according to the British Fashion Council and as reported by People. The model must possess an “influence that transcends the catwalk,” and make “an outstanding contribution to the industry, garnering numerous editorial and advertising campaigns throughout the year.”

@miyinnia She is a supermodel and a role model for many people.#anokyai ♬ 原聲 – MIYINNIA
@runwaysbby ICONIC #AnokYai as bride for #Vetements ♬ som original – bbm

Both Consani and Yai have had a prolific year, which included several runway shows, ad campaigns and general recognition from the public. Consani especially garnered attention through her use of social media, where she went viral for showcasing her personality several times in 2024.

@captincroookI might have torn up Milan I fear

♬ Shockwave – Ilyzdro

@captincroookWhen they be giving me the fancy wayer

♬ Rich gang – Sufferryanyt

Consani is the first transgender woman to win the award. She highlighted the role that the Black transgender community has had in paving the way for her.

“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,” she said, according to WWD.

“Now, more than ever, it’s an important conversation that should be had about how to truly support and uplift one another within this industry, especially those who have been made to feel insignificant,” she added, according to People.. “Because change is more than possible — it’s needed.”

In an op-ed for Teen Vogue, Aiyana Ishmael wrote about how Yai’s frustration “isn’t an attack on Alex Consani’s win.”

“Yai can be upset at the institution, honoring her emotions while still being excited for Consani,” Ishmael wrote in part. “The dismissal of her feelings serves no one. For so long Black and brown women have been told to just be grateful to be in the room, especially when it comes to fashion. But broadly, we can acknowledge that minorities are often expected to accept defeat with humility and grace, while White people get to be whole versions of themselves. Because isn’t it enough that you were nominated? You shouldn’t expect to win. Consani herself continually acknowledges the Black trans women who came before her and credits them with making everything she’s been able to do in fashion possible. Her allegiance to them doesn’t discredit the hard work she’s had to put in to get there; it only makes her position all the more powerful.”

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