Her looks may be very attractive to some, but are they aware that Shudu Gram IS NOT 'really' like the most of us? We explore the latest on this digital influencer, and fashionable beauty.

Who Is Shudu Gram?

Remember that black beauty with the flawless skin, and all the makings of a fashion supermodel Shudu Gram? She's still active, and according to our source she was last in Lagos, Nigeria - see all Instagram posts below.



If you haven't heard of her prior you're probably wondering what's all the hype about. She's a model, beautiful, and fabulous, but you can say the same for The Queen of the Catwalk Naomi Campbell too. Well, she's an "ultra-realistic" digitally generated character - in other words not real, and definitely not human.

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The World's First Digital Supermodel

The African beauty Shudu Gram was "born" at the end of April 2017, and was created by the London-based photographer Cameron-James Wilson. Wilson who shot the likes of Gigi Hadid supposedly created the digital phenomenon due to the lack of diversity in the modelling industry, and was inspired by a Barbie doll Princess of South Africa.



Wilson quit the industry to learn how to create 3D drawing with the help of YouTube videos, and created Shudu with a software called Daz 3-D. Speaking to BAZAAR.com Wilson said "Basically Shudu is my creation, she's my art piece that I am working on at moment,", likely unaware of the impending backlash, and controversy ahead of him.

There's suggestions that the "Umbrella", and "Diamonds" songstress Rihanna played a part in her sudden fame, as she posted a photo of Shudu wearing her Fenty Beauty lipstick. Regardless of who discovered her - including another queen Tyra Banks - she began to make waves fronting campaigns for Balmain, and Ellesse as well as featuring in Vogue, and WWD. If that wasn't enough she wore a bespoke gown by Swarovski to her very first red carpet event at the 2019 BAFTA film awards.

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Cameron-James Wilson's Controversies

In an age where beauty standards are considered high in a society obsessed with filters, and artificial enhancements thanks to apps like Instagram, and Snapchat. It seems very hard for people to fathom reality or differentiate the real from fake, especially when "real women" - people in general - don't achieve such prevalence.



To no one's surprise Wilson a 30 something year old white male has been criticised for his creation surrounding the representation of black models, and profiting from this woman with strong African features. Wilson has insisted that Shudu wasn't created to replace existing black talent however, this didn't enthral Bolu Babalola a British writer who called Shudu an image "contrived by a white man who has noticed the 'movement' of dark-skinned women." - Shudu's recent post below.

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In an interview with BAZAAR.com Wilson said "It's meant to be beautiful art which empowers people. It's not trying to take away an opportunity from anyone or replace anyone. She's trying to complement those people.", but skeptics still remain unmoved by his justifications including YouTube's Natalia Taylor who managed to get a response from Shudu.



Wilson said that he doesn't think there's competition from virtual models to real models, and we believe aspiring talent needn't be concerned due to the costs, and time required to make them. One person who doesn't feel threatened is model Ashanti Hildreth, who doesn't worry about the idea of becoming obsolete pertinent to work opportunities.



Someone who definitely got an opportunity to work with Wilson namely of colour - take on Shudu in the flesh - was Misty Bailey, who was used as a body muse in Ellesse's SS19 campaign consequently booked alongside the digital influencer.

Shudu Is Not Alone

Among the The Diigitals the world's first CGI modelling agency launched by Wilson, there are six virtual models including Koffi, Margot & Zhi, Dagny, and Brenn. There's a seventh character named Galaxia, but we won't consider "it" here as it looks more like an Avatar character from the James Cameron films lol.



FYI : Cameron-James, and James Cameron aren't the same people in the event you were confused.

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Their Work Efforts

Collectively there portfolio work includes the likes of Vogue, S Moda, AFTER-FORM, Smart Car, and Cosmopolitan to name a few. The digital influencer movement isn't necessarily dominated by Wilson's creations as there are many other Digimods, like the AI digital influencer Lil Miquela - she's in the Lil Miquela Instagram post below - Noonoouri, and Lightning who all have fronted successfully fashion, and entertainment campaigns.

Final Thoughts

Although this topic may trigger some people, we're happy to conclude that it's not on the same level as the controversial blackface character, and neither does it undermine women of colour in the typical and unfortunate sense.



The very idea of the perfect person adopted by "THE BIG PLAYERS" of the industry as digital influencer marketing does make us wonder whether it's a clout chasing notion, or something they'll consider in the long run to cut costs, and better tailor sales.



What do you think is Shudu a threat? Should the Lil Miquela look alike Hailee Steinfeld be worried for any upcoming Bumblebee films? Lol, Hailee if you're reading this you're far much fabulous, talented, genuine and "real". Leave your comments below, and feel free to share this page for more opinions.