What Lies Beneath.... Jourdan Dunn

In a world that often celebrates the surface, our What Lies Beneath series is an ode to slowing down; to looking  deeper, to listening closer, and to honouring  the stories that shape how we show up. For this installment, as we celebrate our third anniversary this month, we have a moment with OG Steam Queen, Jourdan Dunn: a woman the world knows for her striking presence, yet whose true beauty lives in the layers beneath the lens.

From her early rise on global runways to her evolution as a mother, creative, and cultural figure, Jourdan’s journey is one of quiet power. She carries her British and Jamaican heritage with a grounded grace, returning to ritual, identity, and intention as compass points that guide her through each new season of life.

This is a conversation about becoming who you are at your core, not the image.

This is What Lies Beneath Jourdan Dunn

Beauty, Reimagined

TSB - As someone who’s been in front of the camera since your teens, how has your relationship with beauty evolved  from the early days of modeling to now?

JD - When I first started modeling beauty was something I felt I had to chase  a standard I was trying to meet rather than something I already carried. Back then, it was all about fitting into an image being polished, perfect, proving I belonged in spaces that didn’t always reflect me.

Over the years that’s shifted completely. I’ve learned that beauty isn’t something you perform, it’s something you embody. It’s how you show up for yourself  the energy you carry, the care you give, the peace you protect.

Now  beauty for me is rooted in intention. It’s softer, slower and  more personal. It’s in my rituals like cooking a meal that reminds me of my childhood ,moving my body, taking time with my skin. It’s less about how I look and more about how I feel . More grounded, aligned, and at ease in who I am.

Beyond the Image

TSB - Many people see you as an iconic model  but how do you see yourself?

JD - It’s funny because  I affirm to myself that I’m that girl, an icon in my own right! And I say it with love, not ego. For me it’s about owning my story, my journey, and everything I’ve poured into it.

But beyond the titles and images, I see myself as a woman who’s constantly evolving. A creative spirit, a mum, a storyteller, someone still learning, growing, and finding new ways to express herself.

I think what people see as “iconic” is really just me showing up  authentically, consistently, and with heart. I come from a line of confident strong women, so walking in that power feels natural to me; it's in my blood.

A Land of Bliss

TSB - We know Jamaica holds a special place for you. What is it about the island that keeps calling you back time and time again?

JD - Jamaica is my heartbeat. Every time I go back, it feels like a homecoming, a return to myself. The island has this energy, this rhythm that grounds me instantly. The people, the food, the music, the way the sun hits your skin it’s life in its purest form.

It’s where my roots are, where my family stories live. Even just hearing the accent brings me comfort. It reminds me of my grandmother - her voice, her warmth, and that deep sense of belonging only home can give you.

No matter how far I travel, Jamaica always calls me back  not just to visit, but to remember, to recharge, to realign. It’s my reminder to move with pride, warmth, and that little bit of fire that only Caribbean girls have

The Mother and the Muse

TSB - Motherhood often reshapes how we move through the world. How has raising your son, and supporting him through his journey with sickle cell influenced the way you see life, resilience, and the kind of mother you hope to be?

JD - Motherhood shifted everything for me: the way I move, the way I love, the way I see life. Raising my son and walking beside him through his journey with sickle cell has taught me what real strength and faith look like. It’s not always loud or glamorous, sometimes it’s just showing up, day after day, with love, patience, and faith.

He’s been my greatest teacher. Watching how he handles challenges with so much courage  reminds me what resilience truly is. It’s softened me, grounded me, and made me even more intentional about the kind of woman and mother I want to be.

I want him to always feel seen, supported, and free to be himself  and I remind myself of that too. Strength for me now isn’t about holding it all together like I’ve seen the older generation before me do it’s about allowing space for grace, surrender, and love to lead the way.

Rituals Over Routine

TSB - At The Steam Bar, we talk about ritual over routine. The small, intentional acts that ground us. What rituals, beauty or otherwise, help you stay connected to your identity?

JD - I’m big on rituals; they're how I stay grounded and connected to myself. I always start my day with gratitude, thanking God for another day, setting the tone before anything else. Then I’ll burn incense, play my affirmations while doing my skincare, and cook something that’s nutritious and nourishing for my body. That’s selfcare to my mind, body, and spirit.

And then there’s stillness, making space to slow down, breathe, and check in with myself. Those moments remind me who I am beneath it all. They keep me connected to my identity and that quiet inner strength I always return to.

On Being an OG Steam Queen

TSB - What made you agree to being the campaign girl for The Steam Bar and how does the brands ethos and values resonate with you?

JD - What drew me to The Steam Bar was the energy behind it. It’s more than just beauty, it's about intention, care, and connection. The brand really understands that wellness isn’t surface level, it's spiritual and  emotional  it’s how you show up for yourself. That message instantly resonated with me.

Shooting the campaign was beautiful. Seeing our hair being celebrated in all its forms  natural, braided, slicked back, free! It  felt powerful. It reminded me of how layered we are as women, and how much beauty lives in our individuality.

Any collaboration I do  has to feel aligned and purposeful, and this reflects that. It felt like an authentic extension of who I am and what I believe in.

Joy, Play, and Quirk

TSB - What’s something unexpected — a hobby, a random obsession, or a little quirk that brings you joy or keeps you connected to who you were before all the fame?

JD - I’m obsessed with astrology! I have a whole folder with the birth charts of my close friends and family. I love diving into them. It’s not just about signs or predictions for me it’s about understanding people on a deeper level.

It helps me see personalities and energies in a more compassionate way. I think it’s my way of staying curious

A New Beginning

TSB - The world has shifted so much in recent years, inviting all of us to pause and reimagine what’s next. When you think about your own evolution, as a woman, a creative, and a mother, what do you see unfolding in your next chapter?

JD - This next chapter is about expansion but with intention. I’ve done so much growing, learning, and evolving, and now it’s about building things that last. I’m in a place where everything I create needs to have purpose, depth, and legacy attached to it.

As a woman, I’m standing firmly in my power  no longer shrinking or second guessing. As a creative I’m focused on building worlds that reflect my culture, my story, and the energy of women who inspire me. And as a mother I’m thinking about what I’m leaving behind  not just for my son, but for the next generation watching.

This chapter is about alignment, ownership, and expansion  creating from a place that feels true, soulful, and lasting. I’m no longer chasing moments  I’m creating legacy.

Currently Loving
TSB - What three things have you recently loved or enjoyed? They can be anything: a song, a scent, a book, a recipe, or a moment.

JD - Three things I’m loving recently. I just finished reading Cursed Daughters by Oyinkan Braithwaite, and it’s my first five-star read of the year. Highly recommend.

Lately, I’ve also been making breakfast soup, and I’ve been loving it especially now that the weather’s colder. It’s comforting, nourishing, and the perfect slow start to the day.

And I’m still obsessed with the Dubai-style pistachio chocolate, especially the Lindt one  it’s elite.