^WOW! Hot for Cavalli.
i-D Winter 2011
November 16, 2011
Look in the mirror and say wow
Oh Ms Miller, you’re a killer!
The last time we saw model Jessica Miller, she was pretty in a pink Chanel visor biting her finger aged naughty 19 on the cover of The Physical Issue. The year was 2003 and Jessica had just beaten Kate Moss and Carmen Kass to the ‘Model of the Year’ crunch. Older, wiser and even hotter with a few more years, Jessica is back, in grown-up black for The Winter Warm-Up Issue. A nymph of Sin City, Jessica was born and raised in Las Vegas and knows the haunts and hotspots like the back of her hand. She’ll take you for a pancake if you ask her nicely. Daughter of a carpenter father and showgirl mother, Jessica is a rock chick at heart with dreams of starting a rock band and an ex list including Brandon Boyd from Incubus and Daron Malakian from System of a Down. Muse to Inez Van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin, Jessica has graced every catwalk, cover and campaign and lived to tell the tale. Now residing in sunny California, her day starts by reading a quote from Steve Jobs: “remembering that you’re going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. There is no reason not to follow your heart”. With that, she’s ready for anything. i-D took time out with the Winter Issue star to talk about fitness, feet and finding yourself.
How has your life changed since we last met for The Physical Issue 2003? I’d say the more notable of changes would be my father getting a second lease on life with a liver transplant. With that came change in the way I view&value life in general, relationships, spirituality…I’d like to think with that experience came growth! I also relocated to Los Angeles, the collection of air miles accumulated – from trips to the east coast and europe – are a life in itself!
How has your approach to fitness and body changed? I definitely put less pressure on myself then I did in my teens, even very early 20s. I think you’re already under so much pressure at that age anyways, figuring out who the hell you are, where you fit in the world, bla bla bla. I found what works for me is a moderate approach, not giving a **** what anyone thinks in terms of size or weight apart from me. How do I feel? Does my energy level allow me to enjoy what the days have to offer, that’s what’s important. Have a damn piece of cake, a glass of wine, whatever, just sweat it out the next day!
Where should we visit in vegas? Two words, omlette house! Hole in the wall may be applicable to an extent, but the Millers are such regulars – I basically just call up, say “hello” and they got the order down. Very un-hole-in-the-wall taste! Not only best breakfast joint, but one of my favourite restaurants throughout all my travels! Red Rock Canyon, for some of the most beautiful mountains the desert has to offer. The Attic, for a pretty great collection of vintage, it’s been a haunt of mine since I was 12 yrs old. All three of these are off the strip by the way! True local way of doing vegas!
What are you working on at the moment? In between the many airport adventures… today I’m going to pop into an acting class. I actually refer to it as cheap therapy. Continue to support the Las Vegas Child Haven, something near and dear to my sister and I. Last but not least, showgirl by night!
Where do you live now? At the moment I live in Los Angeles. As nice as it is having an actual tree or patch of grass on every block, wearing little shorts in December, I say at least once a week “I’m moving back to New York”.
Do you workout? How often, how does it make you feel? Ideally I’d like to get a workout in 6 days a week. I find sweating the most effective way to “cleanse” the body so to speak; awaken your mind. Busting out a sweat session in the morning is what I consider a positive start to the day. All I need is an elliptical, a treadmill, bike and an ipod full of tunes.
What song gets you pumped? Jaguar’s “Stormchild”!
How do you keep healthy and happy, ready to tackle the day? As well as a workout in the morning, I read a quote from Mr. Steve Jobs, “remembering that you’re going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. There is no reason not to follow your heart”. Starting the day with that attitude can make just walking down the street feel like an adventure, living true to what’s in your heart. The past and the future are totally irrelevant this very moment! I feel as human beings we get stuck dwelling on those two things and forget we need to live TODAY!
Favourite healthy meal? Chicken!
Unhealthy? Pancakes!
Favourite body part? Eyes. I value the purpose they serve the greatest!
Least favourite? I’d say feet.
Other then exercise, what else gets your heart pumping? Isn’t the answer obvious? I guess it depends if it’s a lucky week!
What’s your secret to looking good? To me, nothing is sexier or more beautiful then confidence. A humble amount of course!
What makes you happy? One of my Dad’s crazy stories; Golden Girls; the drive from LA to Vegas along the I-15; Disneyland; getting picked up at the airport by a loved one; METAL!; the combination of denim and leather; ice green tea; black Chanel eyelash curler….the little things!
Text: Sarah Raphael
Interview: Holly Shackleton
Photography: Karim Sadli
Styling: Erika Kurihara
(i-Donline.com)