Supermodel Beverly Johnson Engaged To Brian Maillian

Supermodel Beverly Johnson, who is the first Black model to appear on a cover of American Vogue, is engaged to her partner Brian Maillian. “Just finding the love of my life at this point in my life has been amazing,” Johnson exclusively told PEOPLE. Johnson, who also became the first Black woman to cover Elle, said she and Maillian have a lot in common, including their age and love for the same music. LIKE US ON FACEBOOK. FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM & TWITTER. SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE. “This is the first time I’ve dated someone so close to my age! We know the same songs and we’ve lived through a lot of the same things,” she said. Some of those accolades include pioneering their respective lanes. “As I was breaking boundaries in the fashion industry, he was doing the same on Wall Street,” she explained. Johnson said the engagement was unplanned. “My older sister Sheilah was there and she said to Brian, ‘I didn’t hear you give my sister an answer when she asked you to marry her,’” Johnson said describing the moment it all went down. “And he said, ‘I have answered her. I have asked her to marry me. And she said, No. Besides that — I don’t have a ring.’” STAY INFORMED! CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER! Then the moment all came together. “Brian’s 88-year-old mother took off her wedding ring and passed it down the table till it got to Brian and he got down on one knee. I was sobbing uncontrollably and he said ‘Will you marry me?’ and I said yes!” Johnson eventually gave her mother-in-law her ring back and opted to buy a house with  instead. “I said ‘Brian, I don’t know how to say this but I don’t want a diamond ring, let’s buy a house instead.’” Congrats to the lovely couple! More photos, below:

1. 2019 Breaking Barriers Awards Gala And Fashion Show

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 04: W. Brian Maillian and supermodel Beverly Johnson attend the 2019 Breaking Barriers Awards Gala & Fashion Show at Los Angeles Convention Center on August 04, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Robin L Marshall/Getty Images) vertical,photography,celebrities,people,full length,arts culture and entertainment,attending,usa,blue,california,city of los angeles,well-dressed,females,striped,two people,fashion,award,gala,suit,multi colored,shoe,shirt,bell sleeve,blouse,full suit,leather,high heels,fashion show,knee length,breaking,open toe,los angeles convention center,skirt,black shoe,supermodel,tiger print,white skirt,white shirt,leather shoe,multi colored blouse,blue suit,three quarter length sleeve,beverly johnson,white color,black color,necktie,striped suit

2. The Tourism Authority Of Thailand Hosts "Threads Of Thailand"

LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 15: Brian Maillian and Beverly Johnson attend the “Threads of Thailand” event hosted by the Tourism Authority of Thailand at the Consul General of Thailand’s residence on September 15, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Matthew Simmons/WireImage) vertical,photography,celebrities,people,arts culture and entertainment,attending,usa,california,city of los angeles,females,two people,event,three quarter length,thailand,residential building,beverly johnson,2015,consul general

Love Black America Web? Get more! Join the Black America Web Newsletter

Subscribe

We care about your data. See our privacy policy.

3. Palm Springs Walk of Stars Honors Beverly Johnson with 405th Star

PALM SPRINGS, CA – DECEMBER 03: Brian Maillian and Beverly Johnson attend the Palm Springs Walk of Stars Honors Beverly Johnson with 405th Star at 155 South Palm Canyon Drive on December 3, 2016 in Palm Springs, California. (Photo by David Crotty/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images) photography,celebrities,arts culture and entertainment,attending,horizontal,usa,california,females,walking,honor,palm springs – california,beverly johnson

4. SkyBridge Capital Holiday Celebration

NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 14: Brian Maillian and Beverly Johnson attend SkyBridge Capital Holiday Celebration at Hunt & Fish Club on December 14, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Jared Siskin/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images) vertical,photography,arts culture and entertainment,attending,usa,celebration,new york city,females,beverly johnson,covered bridge

5. The Julius Erving Golf Classic Black Tie Ball Sponsored by Delta Airlines & Pond LeHocky Law, With Cocktails Presented by Tanqueray No. TEN. Produced by PGD Global

PHILADELPHIA, PA – SEPTEMBER 10: Brian Maillian and Beverly Johnson attend the Erving Golf Classic Black Tie Ball sponsored by Delta Airlines & Pond LeHocky Law, with cocktails presented by Tanqueray No. TEN. Produced by PGD Global on September 10, 2017 at The Logan in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Lisa Lake/Getty Images for PGD Global) vertical,photography,people,full length,arts culture and entertainment,attending,usa,looking at camera,portrait,law,females,commercial airplane,two people,cocktail,philadelphia – pennsylvania,sponsor,golf,pond,delta air lines,beverly johnson

6. The Julius Erving Golf Classic Black Tie Ball Sponsored by Delta Airlines & Pond LeHocky Law, With Cocktails Presented by Tanqueray No. TEN. Produced by PGD Global

PHILADELPHIA, PA – SEPTEMBER 10: Brian Maillian and Beverly Johnson attend the Erving Golf Classic Black Tie Ball sponsored by Delta Airlines & Pond LeHocky Law, with cocktails presented by Tanqueray No. TEN. Produced by PGD Global on September 10, 2017 at The Logan in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Lisa Lake/Getty Images for PGD Global) vertical,photography,people,full length,arts culture and entertainment,attending,usa,looking at camera,portrait,law,females,commercial airplane,two people,cocktail,philadelphia – pennsylvania,sponsor,golf,pond,delta air lines,beverly johnson