The HBO Original documentary Donyale Luna: Supermodel reveals an exchange in which Vogue editor Diana Vreeland compared Donyale Luna, the first Black supermodel, to King Kong.

The new documentary, which was produced by former UPTOWN Editor-in-Chief Isoul Harris and former UPTOWN Creative Director Melissa Kramer and directed by Nailah Jefferson, explores the remarkable life and career of Donyale Luna, who had crafted a life that was shrouded in mystery – until now. She broke barriers in the fashion industry and challenged global beauty ideals, and remains a pop cultural influence, even if those who are inspired by her are unaware. As the first Black supermodel and the first Black model to cover both Harper’s Bazaar and Vogue in the 1960s, Luna didn’t escape the racism that often plagues American success stories and tragedies. Although that aspect of her story isn’t shocking, there is one revelation in the film that demonstrates the racism Luna faced, and this moment brought another Black supermodel to tears.

The Donyale Luna: Supermodel filmmakers brought to light an exchange between Vogue editor-in-chief Vreeland and famed fashion and portrait photographer Richard Avedon, who is referred to as Dick in the film. At the time, Vogue had hired Avedon to photograph what was one of the most expensive fashion shoots. It was to take place in Japan, and Avedon wanted Luna in it. The night before the team of tastemakers were departing, Avedon writes that he received the call he had been dreading but knew would come. Vreeland wanted him to nix Luna, saying she wasn’t anyone’s idea of what they wanted to look like. Avedon countered by saying that Luna was extraordinary. Vreeland responded by saying so was King Kong. 

In the film, director Nailah Jefferson reads this exchange that was taken from Avedon’s archives to Beverly Johnson. What follows is one of the rawest moments of the documentary as the audience watches Johnson process what she’s just heard. We see anger, hurt, pain, and empathy for Luna, all flash across Johnson’s face.

“I’m not a crier. … It’s an accumulation of all the pain. All the pain. All the ancestors. … It’s why it hurts so bad,” explains Johnson in the film.

Jefferson explains she had a different plan for that section of Johnson’s interview. 

“Somebody at LightBox (Studios) said to have her read it but in the interview, she didn’t have her glasses and goes, ‘Why don’t she read it to me?'” revealed Jefferson. “I’m so glad I did because I see her process. Looking straight, you know, looking at me and, basically, at the camera. I’m so, so thankful for Beverly and that moment where she could be vulnerable and really kind of be a surrogate for every Black model. She took it all on.”

Donyale Luna: Supermodel premieres tonight at 9 pm ET/6 pm PT on HBO and Max.