Indigenous supermodel Samantha Harris shares her story of resilience in partnership with her mother Myrna Davison
From her Dee Why home, Australia’s first Indigenous supermodel Samantha Harris reflects on a journey that began long before she graced the covers of Vogue Australia and Marie Claire.
The 35-year-old Dunghutti woman has just released Role Model, a mother-daughter memoir co-written with her mother Myrna Davison, a survivor of the Stolen Generations.
Samantha moved to the Northern Beaches more than a decade ago after relocating from Queensland to pursue her modelling career in Sydney. She and husband, Luke Hunt, had never heard of the area until they attended a friend’s birthday party in Newport.
“We were like, ‘Oh my God, what is this place?’ It’s like the Gold Coast but much nicer,” Samantha said. “We couldn’t believe that this place existed and as soon as our lease was up, we were out here looking for a rental.”
The memoir chronicles Samantha’s rise in an industry where she constantly battled to fit conventional beauty standards. From age four, she attended beauty pageants, always placing second to girls with blonde hair and blue eyes.
Her breakthrough came as runner-up in the 2004 Girlfriend magazine cover model competition at age 13, launching a career that would see her walk runways for the likes of Alex Perry and Carla Zampatti.
But the book’s heart is her mother’s story. Myrna was taken to Bomaderry Aboriginal Children’s Home at age six with her two younger sisters, an experience that made her fiercely protective of her children.
“She’s been through hell and back, but she’s a wonderful mother and grandmother and should be so proud of herself,” Samantha said.
Writing the book brought new understanding to their relationship. Samantha said her mother was never very open about her experiences.
“It’s not something you want to sit down and have a cup of tea with your kids and tell them about,” she said. “But I definitely have more of an understanding of what she went through and now know how strong she really is.”
Expecting her first child soon, Samantha finds herself thinking about generational change. Her mother’s story is only one generation removed from her own. “It’s mind-blowing that my mum’s story is only a generation apart. It’s not like I’m talking about my great- great-grandmother,” she said.
The memoir captures intimate moments between mother and daughter. Myrna always knew modelling would be challenging for her shy daughter and gave her all the support she could, encouraging her daughter to seize every opportunity.
Samantha graced the cover of Vogue Australia in June, 2010
“When an opportunity comes along and a door opens for you, regardless of how hard it might seem, you have to walk through that door and never look back,” she told Samantha.
The book also shares insights into the world of modelling as a career as seen through Samantha’s eyes: catwalks, the fashion industry, television, diet culture, racism, love, success and family.
Now settled into life on the Northern Beaches, Samantha has found the confidence that eluded her in younger years. “When I was younger, I remember older people being unapologetic about who they were. It’s taken until my mid- thirties, but I can honestly say that’s exactly how I feel,” she said.
On writing her first book, she hopes it will inspire young girls to chase their dreams despite obstacles. “Be yourself and pursue what you love and just keep going,” she said. “The challenges in your life shape you into who you are.”
Samantha continues modelling while working as a television personality, having appeared on Dancing with the Stars and as a judge on RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under. Currently, she serves as a Goodwill Ambassador for World Vision Australia and WWF.
Role Model is available from 2 September.
