Brazil's Hottest Export
Getting to know every man's fantasy: Victoria's Secret supermodel Alessandra Ambrosio. By Jordana Divon
Just
because it's the one thing you really wanted to know,
let's get it out of the way.
Yes, Victoria's Secret bombshell Alessandra Ambrosio
is as big a knockout in person as she is on your
screensaver. Maybe even more so: it's up close you
realize that, unlike many of her peers (and,
increasingly, her non-peers), that gorgeous face
hasn't been touched by a drop of filler. Not even a
tiny nip and tuck. That's because the 30-year-old
Erechim, Brazil native knows better than to mess with
such genetic bounty.
As if that weren't intimidating enough, the fact that
she's over 6-feet in heels should finish you off.
Sorry, guys. As much as you've rehearsed in your mind
how slick you'd be if you ever got the chance to meet
an Angel, you're more likely to transform into a
quivering, stuttering puddle of hormones.
Thankfully, TFP was on hand to ask all your
burning questions for you.
In between promotional events for the opening of
five new Victoria's Secret stores in Canada, we
sat down with the dark-haired beauty to discuss
her life as an Angel, balancing work and family,
and whether she can name this season's starting
lineup for the L.A. Kings. (Spoiler: She can't.
But honestly, does it even matter?)
TFP: You swooped into Toronto this
morning and you'll be back in New York by
dinner. Is it exciting to travel so much for
work or does it ever get tiring?
A: Sometimes you get tired, especially
when you're dealing with jet lag. But it's fun.
I don't know if I could ever live without
traveling, like, once a week, because I grew up
doing that and I still do it.
TFP: But you have a young daughter now
(three-year-old Anja). Does that make the
traveling harder?
A: Yeah, that's the only bad thing about
traveling. I want to spend as much time with her
as possible and she goes to school so I can't
bring her with me every trip. But I always think
twice every time before I take a work trip
because I think, okay do I really need to do
that now or can I stay here and enjoy my
daughter?
TFP: Let's talk about Victoria's Secret.
Why do you think the Angels have become such a
cultural phenomenon?
A: I think it's just the way Victoria's
Secret is, you know? It makes women feel good
and we [the Angels] are there to represent women
with these beautiful images. I remember before I
was an Angel I used to see all the beautiful
women on the runway. It's like a dream come true
for women, so I guess that's why it's so
appealing.
TFP: What do you think sets a Victoria's
Secret Angel apart from your regular
garden-variety supermodel?
A: I think most of the best models work
for Victoria's Secret. And we get to speak for
the brand, so with a lot of really good fashion
girls, you never hear them talking and you don't
know their personality, [but] with Victoria's
Secret they know who we are. The fans know to
meet us at stores and get autographs and
pictures taken so I just think we have an active
voice in the brand.
TFP: So it's a personality thing -- you have to have the whole
package.
A: Yeah, for sure. That's like the most important thing. First
comes the looks, but there are so many beautiful women in the world, so
it's a combination.
TFP: Is being that beautiful really as fun as it looks?
A: It is. It's actually more fun, even! Like, with Victoria's
Secret you get to go to these amazing places and we're like a big family
-- it's always so much fun together. It's a pretty good job.
TFP: Does looking the way you do come with its own pressures,
though?
A: No. I know who I am and if I didn't feel good doing something, I
probably wouldn't be doing it. So, I just feel like beauty comes from the
inside and it's kind of like a natural thing. You can't force it.
TFP:
Do you find time to take on non-modeling projects?
A: Charity-wise I'm one of the ambassadors for multiple sclerosis.
I'm always helping them raise awareness and to try to find a cure. And I
guess that's the most important one that I do. My dad has the disease so
that's enough reason.
TFP: If you weren't modeling, what would you be doing?
A: If I wasn't modeling I would probably... hmm (pauses)... I think
I would be a housewife right now. I would just take care of my daughter,
take care of the house. That's my thing right now. I always work so much
that I just want to be home.
TFP: Describe your perfect day off.
A: I'm usually in L.A. with my daughter. I wake up, take her to
school then I go to Pilates. Then, I go buy fresh fruits and salads, I
pick her up from school and we'll have lunch, then go to the park or to
the beach. At the end of the day, I meet my fiancé [businessman Jamie
Mazur] and we all hang out together. We're very family-oriented... not
doing much.
TFP: How much work goes into looking the way you do?
A: I try to work out three times a week, between Pilates and yoga,
and I love outside sports, like surfing, bike riding, rollerblading. If I
can do one of those things, that's really fun for me.
TFP: Any chance you love hockey?
A: I don't think we have any [hockey] in Brazil. As a Brazilian my
passion is soccer and I do love surfing so those are two things I follow.
And a little bit of basketball because of my fiancé, but hockey I don't
know much about.
TFP: Still haven't gotten into the L.A. Kings?
A: (Laughs) No. Not yet.
TFP: How do male fans approach Victoria's Secret models without
totally freaking them out?
A: (Laughs hard) I don't know. Just be confident, I guess.
TFP:
Do you find time to take on non-modeling projects?