Interview from Goa
Ford supermodel and Dream Team Ambassadress to the world for L?Oreal Paris, French model turned actress, Noemie Lenoir on what makes her world go round.
Discovered by the Ford Models when sixteen, Noemie's face has graced the covers of French Elle and Marie Claire, followed by campaigns for GAP, Tommy Hillfiger, Ralph Lauren and H&M:
* Discovered at the age of 16, stardom at the age of 21, has it changed your perceptions of life and how has it affected your day-to-day living?
NL. No, it has not changed anything at all. I have no pretensions of my success and I'm an ordinary person just like everyone. I will not change for stardom.
* What is your opinion of the fashion industry in Paris as compared to the fashion industry in India?
NL. That's what I will discover I hope when I get there, because to be honest, I'm not very much aware of Indian fashion.
* You?ve been photographed by the best names in the fashion industry. How do you prepare yourself before a photo shoot?
NL. I don?t do anything special, but I always make sure to get up early, have a good breakfast, shower to arrive with clean hair and a clean face. Then I?m ready to work and in a good mood. But now that I have my son, I have to look into his preparation at the same time as mine.
* Your favourite photographer and why? What was it like on the first day of your shoot?
NL. I don?t have any favourites...they are all so individual and are exceptional talented artists in their own ways, that you can only appreciate each one at his value and his work. But for my first shoot day, Wow! I was nervous but I let him lead me through each step and he managed to make me feel so comfortable that the day flew by too quickly..
* Designers you really love working with and why?
NL. Everyone. I love Jean Paul Gaultier, but also for example Roberto Cavalli, Azzaro, Leonard, Fendi and a French stylist called Barbara Bui that has beautiful little dresses for day and evening wear. * You can?t leave home without?
L'Oreal Ideal Balance foundation, Blush Delicieux, a bit of gloss and that's it.
* What are the essentials in your travel bag?
NL. My recent book, my music ...and of course a tooth brush and face cleaning products, with my favourite shawl to keep me warm and cuddle up with to sleep, especially on a long flight.
* How would you describe your relationship with God?
NL. Very special and close in everything and everyday.
* From being a model to an upcoming actress, how did cinema happen to you?
NL. A very special haphazard encounter with Alain Chabat that gave me my first chance in `Asterix and Obelix: Mission Cleopatra!?
* How do you balance the demands of both the professions? What are the similarities between these two roles?
NL. They are the same for me, no matter what, when you are modeling or acting you are always in the skin of someone else, playing the role of someone else. I find them very compatible.
* As the brand ambassador of L?Oreal worldwide, what are your responsibilities towards the brand? And how do you identify yourself with it?
NL. I promote the brand to its maximum as it has first of all a great variety of products for hair, make-up, body and face treatments. Each product can be used and bought by everyone women (and now men as well!!) as they are clinically tested by scientists and dermatologists (and not on animals!!!) and at a very good price, suitable for everyone?s purse and the fact that I can and want to represent all the multi-ethnics in the world. I'm very proud of this exposure and have a brand of this importance in the world show that there is no differences in being black, coloured or white. We are all equal and beautiful.
* What goes into making a perfect day in your life?
NL. Making sure that my son and family are happy.
* As a person deeply involved in charity and voluntary work, what is the message you are trying to convey to your fans?
NL. That love and attention is free, so please help the person next to you in need, no matter how important or not you are.
* As a young mother, what values would you like to instill in your son?
NL. To be open minded, have a multi-cultured education, above all to be generous and loving and to show him that you need to work hard in life to succeed.