Salem Mitchell
Salem Mitchell | |
|---|---|
 Mitchell in 2026 | |
| Born | 1998 (age 27–28) San Diego, California, US |
| Occupation | Model |
| Years active | 2013-present |
| Modeling information | |
| Height | 5 ft 6.5 in (169 cm) |
| Hair color | Brown |
| Eye color | Brown |
| Agency | Freedom Models LA |
Salem Mitchell (born 1998[1][2]) is an American model. She is known for her numerous facial freckles. Mitchell was discovered through Instagram in 2017 and is currently signed to Freedom Models LA.[3] In addition to modeling, she is also an outspoken advocate for woman of color being portrayed in the industry.
Early life and education
Mitchell was born and raised in San Diego, California and is African American.[2][4] Her grandmother is Filipino.[5] She studied dance at San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts and graduated in 2016.[2][4] After high school she enrolled at San Diego State University to study business marketing.[6]
Career
Modeling
Mitchell amassed a large following through Instagram.[7] One day Mitchell posted a photo of herself on Twitter next to a bruised banana in response to trolls who had compared her freckles to the overripe fruit.[2] After the photo went viral, Paper Magazine writer Maiya Toledano contacted Mitchell through Instagram and invited her to do a feature shoot.[4] Mitchell later signed to Ford Models.[4]
Mitchell has appeared in music videos for artists such as SZA and Cardi B.[6] She has worked with retailers including GAP, Converse, and SavagexFenty.[2][8] Her first cover was for Numéro Berlin.[4] She was asked by Beyoncé to model official apparel related to Lemonade.[9]
Mitchell is represented by Freedom Models LA.[3]
Other work
Mitchell has been the target of cyberbullying for her freckles and was once called "ghetto" by internet commenters.[2] A response she wrote on Instagram Stories that discussed cultural appropriation and the devaluation of Black features on African American women was covered by Teen Vogue.[10]
In 2019 Mitchell collaborated with Known Supply to develop an eco-friendly limited edition collection of apparel called Only Human.[9] She is an advocate for making the fashion industry more sustainable.[9]
Accolades
- 2019 - Nominee, Best of Social Media, Fashion, 11th Shorty Awards[11]
References
- ↑ Robinson, Roxanne (March 3, 2022). "Stuart Vevers Talks '90s Nostalgia, 'Coach TV,' and 'RuPaul's Drag Race' With L'Officiel". L'Officiel. Retrieved December 12, 2025.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Weinstock, Tish (May 21, 2018). "This Model Hit Back at Trolls Who Compared Her Freckles to a Bruised Banana". I-D. Retrieved April 1, 2019.
- 1 2 "Salem". Los Angeles: Freedom Models. Retrieved December 12, 2025.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Watch This Face: Salem Mitchell". Harper's Bazaar. August 17, 2017. Archived from the original on September 27, 2024.
- ↑ "Salem Mitchell Would Like To Recommend A Really Affordable Lip Balm". Into The Gloss. September 17, 2018. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
- 1 2 Gore, Sydney (February 16, 2017). "Salem Mitchell Is The Next Model Everyone Will Be Talking About". Nylon. Retrieved April 1, 2019.
- ↑ Carlos, Marjon (January 24, 2017). "It-Model Salem Mitchell Reveals How SoCal Girls Do Winter Style". Vogue. Retrieved April 1, 2019.
- ↑ McKenzie, Joi-Marie (May 14, 2018). "Model Salem Mitchell takes us inside Rihanna's Savage X Fenty campaign shoot". Good Morning America. Retrieved April 1, 2019.
- 1 2 3 Bennett, Willa; Soloff, Jasper (July 2, 2019). "Salem Mitchell Is Making The Internet A Kinder Place". Nylon. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
- ↑ Rivas, Mekita (July 9, 2018). "Model Salem Mitchell Had the Best Response to a Person Calling Her 'Ghetto'". Teen Vogue. Retrieved April 1, 2019.
- ↑ "Salem Mitchell". The Shorty Awards. Retrieved April 1, 2019.