O.G. Supermodel, Naomi Campbell has some venom for my beloved advertising industry.  The 39-year-old veteran has beef with the industry’s creative brass who she claims have used the recession as an excuse to avoid casting black models in their ad campaigns.

For Campbell this reversal marks a major set back for diversity in modeling.  Referring to special edition of Italian Vogue which was dedicated entirely to non-white models, Campbell notes the industry has reverted to square one.

“This year, we have gone back all the way that we had advanced,” she tells UK’s Telegraph. “I don’t see any black woman, or of any other race, in big advertising campaigns.  That made some noise, but, unfortunately, we are the same as before,” she says. “People, in the panic of the recession, don’t dare to put a girl of color in their campaign, full stop. Nor of any other race. It’s a shame. It’s very sad.”

Campbell has been very outspoken recently about the lack of diversity in her profession going as far as to call the fashion industry “racist,” in an April interview with the German version of Glamour magazine.

“You know, the American president may be black, but, as a black woman, I am still an exception in this business. I always have to work harder to be treated equally.”

Its interesting that Campbell addresses the Advertising Industry in particular.  You almost forget that the modeling and ad professions are quite tied at the hip.  Here’s the problem however, modeling is so competitive especially as it relates to black and minorities that assuming there is an epidemic, who would speak out?  The brave few would be swallowed up and replaced in an instant.  You see the industry is largely based on physical appearance and there’s always a next gorgeous model ready to take your seat.  That’s why Tyra has had what 10,000 cycles of her America’s Next Top Model and how many of them ever really attain “TOP” status?

Speaking of Tyra, along with Campbell they ARE the voice of the black model and the only ones with enough clout to speak out.  And although they’ve each been outspoken with regard to race issues, they can easily be dismissed as their careers have all but ended and with it, their influence.

So what do you think?  Is Naomi belly aching or have you too noticed an absence of black models in ads recently?