It has been reported that Naomi Campbell suffered a torn ligament in her leg after she was 'violently' attacked and mugged on a Parisian street. The supermodel is said to have been trying to hail a cab in the French capital when she was "knocked over and robbed" by a group last month, the New York Post reports, leaving her injured and temporarily confined to a wheelchair. It is not known what was stolen from the 42-year-old, but a source told the publication that she believes "the assailant had been watching her, casing her out, and waited for a moment to strike when she was alone.
"It was terrifying," they continued. "Her leg was injured as she was violently pushed to the ground. She was understandably very upset and shaken up." Naomi has been spotted using crutches and a motorised wheelchair recently, leading many to wonder what had happened to the star. The incident meant she had to cancel her annual trip to Roman Abramovich's lavish New Year's Eve party in St Barts. But not one to miss out, Naomi was sure to hold her own bash at her home on Miami's Star Island. Following the assault, the British beauty's billionaire boyfriend, Vladimir Doronin, immediately flew her by private jet to Vail, Colorado, where she was treated by J. Richard Steadman, one of the top orthopaedic surgeons in the world. He is also said to have upped her personal security.
Both Naomi and her agent have declined to comment on the matter, with Naomi politely telling the publication: "I am sorry, I do not talk to press, but I am fine." She is now believed to be recovering in Miami, Florida, ahead of the launch of her new TV show The Face in February. Fans discovered in May of last year that Naomi was set to make her first foray onto the small screen with a starring role in the modelling show. She will follow in the footsteps of her fellow 'supers' Elle Macpherson and Tyra Banks by mentoring up-and-coming young models on the series. Naomi will coach a group of unknown models through assignments including photo shoots, runway shows and commercials. One girl will eventually be crowned The Face of a 'major national brand'. In a press release, Naomi said she was excited to "discover the next beautiful face of the modelling world".
She added: "With The Face the audience will get a real insider's look at this exciting industry that has been so good to me." The show is similar in format to the wildy successful America’s Next Top Model, the show headed up by media mogul Tyra. And the news of the new series came just days after Tyra revealed she had parted ways with her three fellow panellists on ANTM — Nigel Barker, Jay Manuel and J Alexander — reportedly in a bid to spice up the show's format. The Face will air on America’s Oxygen network in February.
