The Newport Beach Film Festival recently premiered Beyond the Gaze, a riveting documentary about the life and career of Jule Campbell, the pioneering editor behind the iconic Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition. Hosted at The New Port Theater in Corona Del Mar, CA, the event brought together fans, industry veterans, and media to celebrate Campbell’s groundbreaking 32-year tenure, during which she transformed a modest swimsuit feature into a cultural phenomenon that launched the careers of supermodels and established a global franchise.
Directed by Jill Campbell, Jule Campbell’s daughter-in-law, the documentary explores Campbell’s journey through a notoriously sexist workplace, where she often confronted accusations of objectification. Despite these challenges, Campbell was unrelenting in her pursuit of artistic integrity, using her discerning eye to elevate each shoot and create visuals that resonated with audiences worldwide. Her ability to navigate such an environment with grace, fairness, and an unshakeable vision resulted in a legacy that not only launched the careers of supermodels but also changed the face of fashion and media. Jule Campbell was the first to advocate for featuring models’ names on the magazine’s pages—a bold move in an era when this was unheard of. In doing this, she empowered models with a distinct presence and recognition, making them just as important as the fashion featured in the pages.Beyond the Gaze beautifully captures a story of women empowering women, showcasing Campbell as a mentor and protector for her models, ensuring they felt safe and respected on set.
At 95, Campbell reflects on her remarkable life, legacy, and the complex impact of her work with honesty and grace, providing a balanced portrayal of a woman who influenced fashion long before Anna Wintour’s reign at Vogue. Beyond the Gaze features interviews with supermodel icons like Christie Brinkley, Tyra Banks, Elle Macpherson, Paulina Porizkova, Kathy Ireland, Carol Alt, and modern-day influencer and model Natalie Noel.
Before the premiere, attendees enjoyed light bites and mingled with filmmakers and cast on the red carpet. I had the unique opportunity to interview supermodel Cheryl Tiegs, influencer/model Natalie Noel, director Jill Campbell, supermodel Roshumba Williams, and executive producer Sharon Cooney Shuttleworth, each of whom shared insights on being part of this project and on Campbell’s lasting impact on the industry.
Cheryl Tiegs (America’s First Supermodel)
“Being a part of this project is being a part of history of SI (Sports Illustrated) and I started with Jule in the very beginning so why wouldn’t I do it now which is celebrating all that we did. This project is is near and dear to my heart so it’s like doing something for a family member or a loved one. It’s part of me so that’s why I am part of it. I always will be.”
Natalie Noel (Influencer/Model)
“It feels amazing. I feel so honored to be with all these other women that have been celebrated for so many years and have been in the industry for so many years. I feel it’s crazy. It’s really crazy feeling.
It’s wonderful to see events like this bringing together younger, up-and-coming models, actors, and other talents with more experienced industry veterans. It creates a valuable opportunity for both sides to learn from each other and helps bridge the gap between digital influencers and traditional media.”
Jill Campbell (Director)
“We need to tell the stories of the women who walked in the steps before us and Julie Campbell from the 1960s was a visionary, a pioneer and she was my mother-in-law and she was my life mentor. How could you not share the story of this woman who created one of the most profitable magazine issues in publishing history and worked in an all male industry, male dominated and was able to discover supermodels who went on to become moguls and they worked with her because they felt safe. They trusted her. She was a woman, so really it’s about woman power. It’s about women supporting other women. We have to support other women.”
Roshumba Williams (African/American Supermodel)
“I’m excited Jule Campbell hired me in 1989 to represent the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. I grew up watching Sports Illustrated. It was an iconic issue, Elle Macpherson, Christie Brinkley, Cheryl Tiegs all these places and this little like dark skinned African American girl with a cropped afro is going to be an SI girl. I didn’t know how to think about it but Jule saw something in me and you know 30 years plus later I’m here and not only that I ended up on the 60th anniversary cover. It was just like I’m over the moon. I haven’t seen the film yet. I know I’m gonna cry but I’m so excited. I’m just so grateful and for me this is a tribute to Jule Campbell thinking outside of the box, her creativity, her love for diversity. I’m just so grateful. I feel I’m the first representative of that.”
Sharon Cooney Shuttleworth (Executive Producer)
“It’s a dream come true to have these iconic women. It’s about women supporting/helping each other. There’s so many great things in this film that will resonate today. We have the younger generation and the women of experience and it’s just a circle of love. It’s just beautiful.”
Jule Campbell died in 2022 at age of 96.
My Reflection: Growing up, I admired these supermodels, yet I knew little about the visionary behind their iconic shots. Discovering that a woman was behind these legendary photo sessions was enlightening; it’s clear that Campbell’s presence brought an added level of trust and safety to her models. Beyond the Gaze shines a light on this often-overlooked figure, revealing the complex, trailblazing woman behind the lens who helped shape an era of fashion and empower a new generation of talent.
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