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Cindy Crawford on Instagram-famous models: 'I'm so jealous'

"I think it's a responsibility, but it's also a great tool," the model said of social media.

By Annie Martin
Cindy Crawford at the Disneyland premiere of "Tomorrowland" on May 9, 2015. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
1 of 3 | Cindy Crawford at the Disneyland premiere of "Tomorrowland" on May 9, 2015. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo

NEW YORK, May 4 (UPI) -- Cindy Crawford doesn't think less of today's Instagram-famous models.

The 50-year-old model discussed social media's impact on modeling with Cosmopolitan on Monday, saying young models like Kendall Jenner and Gigi Hadid have a great tool at their disposal.

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"I'm so jealous, because I feel they have this direct way to communicate with their audience that my generation didn't have," Crawford explained at the Met gala.

"I think it's a responsibility, but it's also a great tool, because they really can be their own publicists," she elaborated. "They can present themselves the way that they want to be presented."

Jenner and Hadid are known as much for their millions of followers as they are for their work for such brands as Chanel and Balmain. Hadid acknowledged the importance of social media in the September issue of Vogue, calling her online presence a "lifestyle."

"It's not a nine-to-five job," the 20-year-old model said. "You're on set for 15 hours and then you go home and make sure you're posting the right stuff on social media and then you answer your e-mails. It never stops."

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Rebecca Romijn is among those who have criticized Instagram-famous models. The 43-year-old actress-turned-model told Entertainment Tonight Jenner and Hadid are "not true supermodels" before backtracking on her comments last week.

"No one has proven yet that number of followers translates to revenue," she said. "So it is frustrating. I know a lot of people -- legitimate fashion people -- can't stand it. Hate it that these, you know, social media stars are now the supermodels in fashion."

Crawford showed her support for Jenner by posing with the younger model on the Met gala red carpet. The model and mom-of-two is considered one of the Big Five supermodels and has modeled for Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana and Dior.

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