Charitable Naomi an ‘angel’

Naomi Campbell

NEW YORK - Naomi Campbell has made plenty of headlines for her bad behavior, but next month, the spotlight is set to shine on the model for something positive: her charitable work.

Campbell and her boyfriend, Russian billionaire Vladislav Doronin, are going to be honored at the annual Angel Ball, which supports cancer research.

“She really is an amazing woman and she does a lot for charity. She has her own charity. She raised a lot of money this summer for Haiti and for AIDS relief,’’ said Denise Rich, the songwriter who started the Angel Foundation after her daughter, Gabrielle, died of leukemia.

Rich spoke about Campbell during a party hosted at her home on Saturday night. It was co-hosted by Jade Jagger. Tina and Solange Knowles were also in attendance, as was Rich’s best friend, singer Natalie Cole.

Cole said people should not be shocked that Campbell, who has pleaded guilty several times to assault, is being honored, and that the model is misunderstood: “She has been behaving herself. She is a good girl. I think there are just certain people who get on her nerves and I understand that.’’

The Angel Ball will be held on Oct. 17. AP