Despite this, her interviews often showed she was wise beyond her years, humble, and intelligent.
Decades later, she remains relevant, most recently attending her first-ever Met Gala.
It seems dedication and success run in their genes.
But how did it all start?
Aoki’ssuccess began with a Chanel showin 1998, and she has praised Karl Lagerfeld for making it happen.
He was the creative director for the brand at that time.
I am forever grateful to him," she toldVogue Australia.
“I always thought models had to fit a certain mold.
I never thought I had what it takes.
I’m too small, and my look’s pretty weird,” she toldThe Independent.
“I don’t fit the status quo.
I suppose that’s a good thing.
Not everyone’s 5ft 10in and stick thin.
There’s more diversity now.
It’s OK to be shorter and look sort of different.”
Devon Aoki’s story is also interesting, and she was first spotted at a rock concert.
And I said I’d do it if they introduced me to The Ramones.
And they did."
“Its house number was the year I was born and I thought it was fate.
I was immediately attracted to it fell in love with it…” she said.
But then again, her daughter was not your average teenager.
She’s not interested in that in the least," she said of her daughter.
She also commented on how Devon was always independent.
She is the daughter of Pamela Hilburger and Rocky Aoki.
The former couple was married from 1981 to 1991 (and Hilburger was Aoki’s second wife).
Devon and her mom share a close bond, and she has praised her for being a remarkable woman.
“She has this wealth of incredible characteristics.
She’s the reason behind my positive thinking, like, way more than LA.
She’s my mom, you know.
According toNew York Post, Steve and Devon Aoki will inherit $50 million when they turn 45.
The money troubles relate specifically to a Hawaii Benihana restaurant.
Her half-brother, Steve Aoki, is a well-known DJ celebrated for his contributions to electronic dance music.
But he is also not her only sibling because she has eight!
They have different mothers who they share a strong bond with.
She was my parent,” Steve Aoki toldYahoo Music.
“My dad was my parent, too, but she raised me.
She was always told she was different but couldn’t recognize this as a positive thing at the time.
“When I was an early teen, particularly, not being one definite thing could be really confusing.
Where do I fit in?
But I went through that experience with her,” she told i-D of her discussions with her mother.
And all you want to be at that age, of course, is the same.
You feel kind of betrayed by yourself.”
Her appearance has also affected her work.
“I’ve had so many things done to me,” she told The Independent.
“People always want to make me look like a freak.
I’m really not that weird.
I’m a combination of a lot of different things.
Maybe it’s just easier to make me look weird than another model who is specifically Caucasian.”
Devon Aoki greatly respected Karl Lagerfeld
“He’s so cool.
One of the most incredible people I’ve ever met in my life.
He’s so intelligent, so creative.
“He was gentle, not at all like people assume.
“Not one bland statement could ever be uttered from his lips.
He was lightning quick.
Scott created the outfit, and Aoki has known him for years and worked with him regularly.
Now, she is a mom to four and regularly posts photos of her family on social media.
She has also posed for the Swarovski Mother’s Day Campaign 2018 alongside three of her children.
Here with my kids Hunter, Alessandra and Eleanor.
One of her standout performances was with the Fast & Furious franchise.
“What an incredible honor it was to know you!
“Thank you always for that passion and laughter you gave to the world and all who knew you.
Her niece, Natalie Nootenboom, is also making waves in the industry.
As for her connection to Devon?
“She is very hardworking and has a lot of ambition for someone her age.
She stays true to herself and her beliefs.”
Despite her incredible success, Aoki appeared humble in her interviews.
I don’t know what I think.
I don’t think of myself, that’s for sure.
Supermodel is a cool thing but it’s a funny thing, too.
Putting super before anything makes it a little weird.”
