Kendall Jenner: ‘You Have No Idea How Many Doors Closed on Me’

Kendall Jenner may have crossed the supermodel threshold, but getting respect in the industry was no easy feat for the young star. Now, Kendall is opening up about her early modeling days, her validating Calvin Klein endorsement and more in a new interview with V magazine.

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Kendall poses for photographer Steven Klein in the latest issue of V, wearing sporty looks from Calvin Klein. And the 19-year-old star says collaborating with the tastemaker was a an incredible experience. It also was a bit dangerous.

“He is such an intensely talented person but he is cool and actually quite hilarious to work with,” she shares. “We have some sort of telepathic mojo. This shoot was particularly fun because he brought his three Great Danes. They’re huge and one of them even slightly bit my head, that’s how gigantic he was! My head’s okay though. Any chance that I can work with animals, I’m in.” (It looks like Kendall has control of the pooch in the photo below.)

Steven Klein/V Magazine #95

She also explains that getting her foothold in the modeling world was a struggle.

“You have no idea how many doors closed on me and how many adults were either initially reluctant to take a chance working with me or who outright laughed at me behind my back,” she explains. “It was kind of hard because all I was doing was going on go-sees, trying my best to break into this business as a teenager. I am so grateful to Marc Jacobs, Riccardo Tisci, Karl Lagerfeld, and Katie Grand, who took a chance on me that first season and gave me an opportunity. My parents taught me that work ethic is one of the most important keys in life, and I believe it.”

Steven Klein/V Magazine #95

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As for her latest major campaign with Calvin Klein (she’s the face of the brand’s new #mycalvins denim series), Kendall says she’s always been a fan of the iconic label.

“The first campaign that I recall was with Kate Moss and Marky Mark,” she says. “Probably the most iconic jeans ad ever.”

And she adds that it will take a while to get used to seeing herself (in her Calvins) on the Sunset strip.

“This will be my first billboard on Sunset, which I’m ecstatic about,” she gushes. “It’s really humbling, and honestly, I am a pretty shy person, but being part of the Calvin campaign and seeing myself up there will be a dream come true. I might have to eat every night at the Chateau Marmont with that hanging over my shoulder. ‘Oh yeah, that little thing? I didn’t notice.’”

Read more from Kendall’s interview here and in the new issue of V out May 7.What do you think of Kendall’s breakthrough career? Do you love her new Calvin Klein ads? Sound off below.

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–Brittany Talarico