Q & A With Victoria’s Secret Model, Alessandra Ambrosio
Alessandra Ambrosio comes from Erechim, Brazil and was recently named number two on askmen.com ‘s Top 99 Most Desirable Women for 2008. Upon coming to America she shared an apartment with Gisele Bundchen and Adriana Lima. She has been a mainstay in the Victoria Secret Fashion show since 2000. Not only does she grace the cover of many magazines worldwide, she is also the face for Armani A/X and Next. She can always be seen smiling, working hard, and admits to eating chocolate every day (lucky her and can still look like that).
When did you first decide that modeling was something you wanted to do?
When I was 8 years old, I use to always play with my sister and used to pretend I was a supermodel. After seeing a picture of Karen Mulder in a magazine I wanted to be like her someday. At age twelve I went to modeling classes in my hometown and started to work in the modeling business. Once I turn fourteen, I was one of the 20 finalists in Brazil's Elite Model competition.
What charities do you support and why?
I am currently the National Ambassador for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. I am helping raise awareness for the unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system and raise funds for the ongoing research for its cure. My father was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in the late nineties
Do you notice any difference in the way modeling is now compared to when you started?
Yes! There’s a lot of difference. Much more work now, lots of traveling and working almost every day. Before it was just simple and easy as I was just beginning to model but now, it’s a lot different because I’m always away from my friends, family, and I have to work a lot and travel almost every day. But when I have the time, I always find some time to be with family and friends.
If people could get a look on your I-pod, what type of music would they find on it?
I always like to listen to Pearl Jam, Nirvana, INXS, Mazzy Star and electronic music. We hear that you are an avid Barbie collector, how many do you currently own? A lot! I love Barbies, it’s one of my passions.
You have been doing a lot of TV lately…do you see yourself getting into acting more in the future?
Modeling is a lot different than acting cause in modeling you just have to pose and look good but it haves a lot in common with acting cause sometimes the photographer wants you to act sexy, mad, hyper, playful and you have to act a little in modeling and change your expression to make the meaning of the shoot, so acting is pretty much like modeling but a little bit different but who knows maybe someday in the future I’ll get into acting more, being on Entourage, Casino Royale, and How I Meet Your Mother was an amazing experience but at the moment I don’t have time for acting because I’m always working and traveling but, maybe someday I will.
What advice could you offer woman who are looking to get into modeling?
Never give up, follow your dreams and keep going after what you really want.
Interview by Juan Carlos Montoya*