Jody Watley Named One Of America’s 10 Most Beautiful Women by Harper’s BAZAAR

Posted on September 30, 2026 by Admin

A confident fashion model posing in an elaborate outfit that includes a velvet coat with leopard print accents and patterned pants, showcasing a glamorous style against a city backdrop. — Jody Watley “The Hot Beauty” Harper’s BAZAAR America’s 10 Most Beautiful Women 1989 :
Photography: Matthew Rolston

Close-up portrait of a woman with short, spiky hair and bold makeup, wearing a red garment with star patterns, with a blurred city background. — Jody Watley “The Hot Beauty” Harper’s BAZAAR America’s 10 Most Beautiful Women 1989 :
Photography: Matthew Rolston

Jody Watley: Beauty, Individuality & Timeless Style in Harper’s BAZAAR

In September 1989, Grammy-winning singer-songwriter and style icon Jody Watley was featured in Harper’s BAZAAR’s “America’s 10 Most Beautiful Women” issue, which brought together a remarkable group of women ages 21 to 48 to discuss their looks, lives, beauty and aging.

Harper’s BAZAAR celebrated Watley as “The Hot Beauty,” placing her among an extraordinary lineup that included Whitney Houston, Jodie Foster, Julia Roberts, Susan Sarandon, Faye Dunaway, Melanie Griffith, Kelly LeBrock, Anjelica Huston and Geena Davis.

The feature arrived during a defining period in Watley’s solo career. Already a Grammy winner with a growing collection of major pop, R&B and dance hits, she was also establishing a distinctive visual identity that merged music, high fashion and fearless individuality.

More than three decades later, the subject of women, beauty standards and aging remains a major cultural conversation. Revisiting this 1989 Harper’s BAZAAR issue offers an intriguing snapshot of how beauty was being discussed at the time — and why confidence, individuality and evolving personal style remain timeless.

For Jody Watley, being fashionable has never simply been about following trends. Her enduring image has always reflected something more personal: being yourself, evolving on your own terms and defining beauty for yourself. True to yourself and living with joy at every age. What’s most beautiful is what exudes from the inside out.

Jody Watley — “The Hot Beauty.” Then, now, timelessly individual.

Table of contents from Harper's Bazaar magazine, September 1989, featuring fashion articles and a section on America's Most Beautiful Women. — Harper’s BAZAAR September 1989 “America’s 10 Most Beautiful Women” Issue

Jody Watley Classic Images Of The Day. Harper’s Bazaar 1989

Posted on March 17, 2022 by Admin

JODY WATLEY. Photography Matthew Rolston

Jody Watley, Harper’s Bazaar 10 Most Beautiful Issue (Women from 21 to 48 Talk About Their Looks and Lives), September 1989

I was in great company as the ‘The Top 10’ list also featured Academy Award winning actress Jodie Foster on the cover, other inclusions were Faye Dunaway, Whitney Houston, Susan Sarandon, Kelly LeBrock, Julia Roberts, Melanie Griffith, and Anjelica Houston.

Clothing – Rifat Ozbek

Photography Matthew Rolston

For me – though having a strong visual presentation and identity as an artist is important – your looks never define who you are as a person nor have anything to do with substance, character, talent, tenacity and perseverance. One must have something going on beyond what’s on the outside. Over the decades I’ve found in some ways with women physical appearance when others consider you ‘beautiful’ can work against you too, you almost have to work double to be taken seriously not to mention those that may resent what they see and some to their own personal biases, misperceptions and so on – it’s a double edged sword. That said, looking back it’s special to have broken through some of the barriers that often exist for black women and artists in the lexicon of beauty and fashion opening the door a bit wider for others that have followed. This was my second of 3 features in Harper’s Bazaar.

No matter what – don’t forget to be awesome not matter what you look like!

Wattage!