The music video for Robin Thicke’s 2013 hit “Blurred Lines” is one of the most iconic visuals of the past decade. Featuring Thicke, T.I., and Pharrell Williams, the video also featured three stunning models: Emily Ratajkowski, Elle Evans, and Jessi M’Bengue.
At just 21 years old, Emily Ratajkowski was catapulted to fame after she appeared nude in the famous music video. Since its release, the track has gained over 768 million views on YouTube and sparked a huge controversy as it has been accused of promoting rape culture through its lyrics which suggest that “I know you want it” disregards consent.
Elle Evans is an American model and actress who is best known for her appearance in the Blurred Lines video. She has since gone on to appear in several other high profile projects such as Sharknado 4 and Hall Pass.
Jessi M’Bengue is a French model who has been featured in campaigns for major brands such as Louis Vuitton and Marc Jacobs. She also starred alongside Thicke in his music video for “Get Her Back” as well as appearing in an episode of Gossip Girl back in 2011.
All three models have gone on to have successful careers since their appearance in the Blurred Lines video but their place in pop culture history is certainy secured thanks to their part in this controversial yet iconic production.
Models Featured in the Music Video for Blurred Lines
The models in the Blurred Lines video are Emily Ratajkowski, Elle Evans, and Jessi M’Bengue. Emily Ratajkowski is an American model and actress, who is best known for her appearances in music videos such as Maroon 5’s “Love Somebody” and Robin Thicke’s “Blurred Lines”. Elle Evans is an American model and actress who is best known for appearng in the music video for Robin Thicke’s hit single “Blurred Lines”. Lastly, Jessi M’Bengue is a French-Senegalese model who has appeared in campaigns for brands such as Lacoste, Saks Fifth Avenue and Revlon. She also starred in the controversial music video for Robin Thicke’s song “Blurred Lines”.
Source: nypost.com
The Impact of ‘Blurred Lines’ on Emily’s Fame
Emily Ratajkowski became widely known after appearing in the music video for Robin Thicke’s 2013 track “Blurred Lines”, in which she appears nude. The video has since become one of the most-viewed YouTube videos of all time, with more than 768 million views. Being featured in the video brought Ratajkowski to international attention and helped launch her career as a model and actress. As a result, it can be said that Blurred Lines made Emily Ratajkowski famous.
Controversy Surrounding ‘Blurred Lines’
The 2013 single “Blurred Lines” by Robin Thicke has been a source of controversy since its release, due to its lyrics and perceived implications. The song has been criticized for its explicit nature, as well as its perceived promotion of rape culture. The lyrics of the song have been interpreted by some as objectifying women and promoting non-consensual sexual contact. Additionally, the song’s refrain of “I know you want it” has been seen by some as disregarding the concept of affirmative consent in sexual activity.
The artist himself has stated that the lyrics are intended to be fun and playful, but nonetheless, many listeners have taken issue with the single’s message. In response to this criticism, Thicke has acknowledged that he could have chosen his words better and expressed regret over how his music was being interpreted. Despite this acknowledgement, many critics continue to argue that “Blurred Lines” is damaging to society and should not be supported.
Identifying the Blonde in the ‘Blurred Lines’ Music Video
The blonde featured in the music video for “Blurred Lines” is Elle Evans Bellamy, an American model and actress who lives and works in Los Angeles, California. She was born Lindsey Gayle Evans on December 9, 1989 and is one of the faces of NYX Cosmetics. Elle gained recognition after appearing in the 2013 music video which featured Robin Thicke, Pharrell Williams, and T.I. As a result of her appearance in the video she has gone on to appear in numerous other projects including television commercials and magazine covers.
Age of Emily Ratajkowski During Robin Thicke Collaboration
Emily Ratajkowski was 21 years old when she appeared in the Robin Thicke music video for “Blurred Lines.” She first noticed something was wrong on set when the director, Diane Martel, stopped the music and there was a “weird moment” before they kept shooting.
Source: imdb.com
Is Emily Ratajkowski a Supermodel?
Yes, Emily Ratajkowski is a supermodel. She has been modeling professionally since she was 14 and has become one of the biggest names in the industry. She has appeared on magazine covers such as Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, and Glamour, and has walked in runway shows for several notable fashion houses including Marc Jacobs, Tommy Hilfiger, and Dolce & Gabbana. Additionally, she is a brand ambassador for numerous brands such as DKNY and Paco Rabanne.
The Lawsuit Against Blurred Lines
In 2013, the family of the late singer Marvin Gaye sought to sue Pharrell Williams, Robin Thicke and T.I., the artists responsible for the hit single “Blurred Lines”. The family alleged that the song plagiarized their relative’s 1977 hit song, “Got to Give it Up”. They argued that “Blurred Lines” copied the “feel” and composition of the original track, thereby infringing upon copyright laws.
In an effort to preemptively protect themselves from such a suit, Thicke and company filed a lawsuit against Gaye’s family first, claiming that their song was an original work. However, in 2015, a jury ruled in favor of Gaye’s family, ordering Thicke and Williams to pay $7.3 million in damages for copyright infringement. The ruling was laer reduced by a judge to $5.3 million.
Emily Ratajkowski’s Modeling Career
Emily Ratajkowski is a highly sought-after model and has worked with some of the biggest names in the fashion industry. She has modeled for famous brands such as Marc Jacobs, DKNY, Balmain, Versace, Paco Rabanne, and Miu Miu. Additionally, she has been featured in editorials for magazines like Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, GQ, and W Magazine. Ratajkowski has also served as a spokesmodel for beauty brands such as Kérastase and Bobbi Brown.
Plagiarism Allegations Surrounding ‘Blurred Lines’
In 2015, a federal judge ruled that the hit single “Blurred Lines” by Robin Thicke and Pharrell Williams had infringed upon the copyright of Marvin Gaye’s 1977 song “Got to Give It Up”. The two songs shared enough similarities to warrant awarding half of the song’s royalties to the Gaye estate. Specifically, it was determined that “Blurred Lines” had copied elements from Gaye’s composition, such as its signature Bass line, keyboard chords, vocal melody, hook and texture. The ruling set a precedent for other cases regarding copyright infringement in popular music.
Source: ew.com
Banning of ‘Blurred Lines’
Blurred Lines, the 2013 hit single by singer Robin Thicke, was banned from being played at all University College London (UCL) student union-affiliated premises and events. This includes any spaces or activities organized by UCLU, such as student bars, clubs, and socials. The ban also applies to any events held by UCLU societies or other student groups in partnership with the union. The decision to ban Blurred Lines was made in light of the song’s controversial lyrics and its perceived promotion of gender inequality and sexual aggression.
Conclusion
The music video for “Blurred Lines” sparked a great deal of controversy due to its provocative imagery and lyrics, with many accusing it of promoting rape culture. However, the models featured in the video, Emily Ratajkowski, Elle Evans, and Jessi M’Bengue, have since gone on to beome successful in their own right. Ratajkowski has become a globally recognized model and actress while Evans has appeared in a number of films and television shows and M’Bengue is an international fashion model and has walked the runway for several high-profile designers. Despite the criticism that the video initially received, it appears that all three models have managed to use their exposure from it to further their careers in positive ways.
