Elle McPherson Biography

Nickname	Elle Mcpherson
Real Name	Elle Mcpherson
Nationality	Australian
Birth date	March 29, 1963 or 1964, in Killara, New South Wales, Australia
Height	1.82m

Eleanor Gow took on her lawyer step-father’s surname as a teen, and prepared to follow him into the legal profession. However, after a year in pre-law at Sydney University, fate (in the form of ski vacation plans) took Elle Macpherson to Aspen Colorado, where the statuesque 18-year-old Australian was “discovered” and signed to a Click Modelling Agency contract.

Macpherson was busy posing immediately. Elle Magazine became “Elle’s” magazine for six years, as the young model was chosen again and again for photo layouts. She eventually wed the publication’s creative director, Gilles Bensimon, but the marriage didn’t last.

Elle was only the beginning. For an athletic/sultry model, nothing spells success like getting on the cover of Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit Issue, and here Macpherson is a glittering star -- she’s been there an unprecedented three consecutive times.

The series of Sports Illustrated exercise videos she went on to film may qualify as her first break into acting (if you don’t count the popular Western Australia tourism promotions) but her real movie career launch came with a certain degree of prestige. Macpherson was handpicked by director Woody Allen for a party scene walk-on in Alice (1990). It was what she did for her next part, though, that won her critical attention -- the model gained 20 (or 30, depending upon the source) pounds for her role Sirens (1994). Hollywood decided that this gal was serious, and she was subsequently cast in Jane Eyre (1996), If Lucy Fell (1996), The Mirror Has Two Faces (1996), Batman and Robin (1997), The Edge (1997), Beautopia (1998), and With Friends Like These (1998).

The downside of modelling fame and acting acclaim hit Macpherson in 1997, when her home was burglarized with fallouts of slander and a “ransom” of her nude pictures. The next year brightened when son, Flynn, was born to the model/actor and Swiss financier Arpade Busson. That year, as well, Macpherson was listed top supermodel earner with a tidy $40.3 million in revenue.

Macpherson remains hugely popular. She is one of People Magazine’s 50 Most Beautiful People; she heads a $10 million lingere label enterprise and line of sportswear; and she’s a co-owner of the successful Fashion Cafe restaurant chain. Her image can be found enshrined by fans on countless Internet sites. Not to be left out, Hollywood, too, wants more -- Miramax has announced a multi-tier (film, television and publishing) contract with Macpherson that should allow a furthering of her promising acting career. The model/actor/businesswoman may have quickly trimmed those extra Siren pounds, but she’s a heavyweight in the entertainment industry.

Petra Nemcova Biography

Born and raised in Karvina, in the Czech Republic, Petra Nemcova has taken the modeling world by storm. Ever since a modeling scout discovered her on the streets of her native country, she seems to be plastered in every magazine layout and advertisement.

petra nemcova in sports illustrated
Petra Nemcova modelled "swimsuits" for Sports Illustrated's Swimsuit Issue in 2002, which was her second appearance in the magazine that launched several modeling contracts. In addition to her work for SI, the Next Agency model graced the pages of Elle, Harper's Bazaar and the French model Madame Figaro, and was a model for companies like Max Factor, La Perla and Cartier.

Her first American TV appearance was on the Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn, where the smitten host (who announced his love for her and British singer Dido) predicted that she would make the cover of Sports Illustrated's Swimsuit Issue in 2003 -- and he was right.

petra nemcova in tsunami

In December 2004, Petra and her boyfriend Simon Atlee (a British fashion photographer) were caught in the devastating Asian tsunami disaster. Their hut on the Thai beach resort of Khao Lak was swept away by the tsunami, leaving Petra holding on to a tree for eight hours while the water washed by. She was rescued and taken to a hospital to treat a broken pelvis and several internal injuries. Unfortunately, Simon Atlee died.

Petra considered herself "lucky to be alive," and she gave back to those who were not as lucky by posing from her hospital bed for US Weekly as a fundraising effort to donate $200,000 to tsunami relief efforts. She also started the Happy Hearts Fund, as well as wrote a book Love Always, Petra which was published in December 2005.

petra nemcova travels to haiti

2007 was a year of humanitarianism for Petra Nemcova. Not only was she a presenter at the American leg of Live Earth in July, but she also visited Haiti in November with Wyclef Jean as part of a charity-sponsored event. She even became a vegan!

Carmen Kass Biography

A 14-year-old Carmen had already received recognition by the time she was discovered in a supermarket in Tallinn by an Italian modeling scout.
She was ready to set her sights higher and go for the Miss Estonia title, but the offer to fly to Milan to jump start a modeling career seemed like a more glamorous and lucrative option.

After being represented in her native Estonia by a small agency called "Baltic Models", Kass moved to Paris at the age of 18. She received exposure on the cover of magazines worldwide, such as L'Officiel and Vogue (France) in 1997, Elle (Australia), Image (UK), Madame Figaro, Numero France, Vogue (France), and Vogue (US) in 1999.

In 1999, Kass strutted down the catwalks for top designers such as Alberta Ferretti, Anna Sui, BCBG, Bill Blass, Calvin Klein, Chanel, Christian Dior, DKNY, Dolce & Gabbana, Gianfranco Ferré, Gianni Versace, Gucci, Jill Stuart, MaxMara, Michael Kors, Moschino, Nicole Miller, Prada, Oscar de la Renta, Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, Louis Vuitton, and Valentino.

Kass has posed in advertisements for Calvin Klein, Chanel, Donna Karan, General Motors, Guy Laroche, Krizia, and Versace. She is also recognized for her appearances in a The Gap denim advertising campaign.

Kass is a spokesperson for Sephora, one of the world's leading cosmetics retailers, and the Christian Dior perfume, J'adore. In February 2004, she joined Estonia's ruling Res Publica party and was running for the European Parliament after her homeland joined the European Union in May 2004. She gained about 2000 votes from Estonian electorate and was not elected to the European Parliament.

The same year she was elected the President of Estonian National Chess League and she ran a campaign for obtaining the right to organise Olympics of Chess in 2008 in Tallinn, Estonia, which was however given to Dresden, Germany.

The statuesque beauty is often cited for her distinctive runway walk. A quirk of the Estonian supermodel is that while very tall, her feet are quite small- about a size seven (American). It is said she sometimes simply falls out of her shoes while walking.
Kass was recognized by Vogue as they honored her with the "Model of the Year" title at the 2000 VH1/Vogue Fashion Awards

Vital Statistic

Born:	14 September
Where:	Estonia
Height:	179 cm
Bust:	86 cm
Waist:	61 cm
Hips:	86 cm

Heidi Klum Biography

Supermodel Heidi Klum was born in Bergisch Gladbach, Germany, on June 1, 1973. During the winter of 1991, while in her late teens, a friend persuaded her to enter a national contest - "Model 92." Over 25,000 girls had entered the contest, and over a series of shows on German television Heidi kept winning the weekly and monthly stages of the competition. In the end she won the contest overall and was given her first modeling job, which she turned down in favor of finishing school.

With a strong background in art, Heidi began studying to be a fashion designer but during her studies decided she wanted to pursue modeling as a career. In 1993, after learning the basics throughout Europe, she moved to Miami and then to New York, where she currently resides. Small jobs and constant modeling shoots kept her busy, but her big break wouldn't come until 1998.

In 1997, she became affiliated with Victoria's Secret as a runway model in one of the intimate apparel company's fashion shows. She gained all sorts of recognition, most notably from Sports Illustrated magazine. And in February 1998 Heidi graced the cover of the magazine's famous "Swimsuit Issue," and there was no turning back. She was now the most coveted supermodel in the world.

Her modeling career led her to television, where she made her acting debut as Michael J. Fox's love interest on Spin City. She played herself. The following year her first calendar was printed, which has now become an annual standard. In 2004, she became the host of the Bravo TV series "Project Runway," a reality show in which contestants compete to win a chance to design clothes for Banana Republic.

Heidi also made a return to her roots in fashion design and now designs her own line of swimwear, which has been featured in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, as well as a signature shoe for Birkenstock. She also designs jewelry and is an accomplished painter.

On the romantic front, Heidi married hairdresser Ric Pipino in 1997 and would be divorced in less than five years. She later became linked to Red Hot Chili Peppers singer Anthony Kiedis and then to Flavio Briatore, owner of a Formula-1 racing team. She has a daughter with Briatore. Recently, she married British singer Seal, and the couple had their first child in 2005. Heidi's measurements are 35-24-34.

A super model with the savvy to create her own empire, Heidi Klum hit gold with a perfect amalgam of high-fashion and reality TV. Born in Germany, Klum began modeling when she was just a teenager, after submitting photos to a German modeling agency on a whim. She toured Europe as a model, eventually coming to the United States where she found even greater success--cemented by her posing for the coveted cover of Sports Illustrated in 1998.

Klum became a spokes model for Victoria's Secret, and also began taking some small roles in films, like 2000's Blow Dry. In 2004, she became the executive producer and host of a show on Bravo called Project Runway, in which fashion design hopefuls were presented with a variety of challenges and judged on their talent and ability, facing an elimination on every episode until a winner was crowned. The show was a huge hit and Klum became even more of brand in and of herself.

Klum was married to celebrity hair stylist Ric Pipino in 1997, though the couple divorced in 2002. She also had a relationship with Formula One manage Flavio Briatore, and though the relationship did not last, the couple had a daughter together, Helene. In 2005, Klum married singer and musician Seal, who raised Helene as his own along with the couple's other children. Cammila Albertson, All Movie Guide

Karolina Kurkova Biography

Born in the town of Decin, Czechoslovakia (now the Czech Republic) on February 28th, 1984, Karolina Kurkova had a slight taste of what celebrity would be like, as her father Josef Kurka was a star basketball player. As a child, her height made her relatively awkward and gangly, but that would all change with age. A close friend recognized her beauty and sent photos of Kurkova to an agency in Prague. Kurkova immediately landed a runway appearance, not to mention a commercial and print ad. Still, being a model in the Czech Republic did not expose her to what fashion was really about, so Kurkova took a chance and traveled to Milan to gain some more experience. There, Miuccia Prada (the designer behind the famous brand name) signed her to a contract that proved to be the beginning of her stellar career. On September 7th, 1999, Kurkova's hard work as a 15-year-old model culminated in a meeting with some Vogue editors in New York. She impressed them immediately and the execs began to slowly groom her for success.

A move to the Big Apple and hectic work schedule ensued. It all paid off when Kurkova finally made her presence known in the February 2001 issue of Vogue. One of the youngest models ever to grace its cover, the magazine helped propel her to stardom. She was now recognized at haute couture fashion shows and Victoria's Secret swept her up and chose her to be part of that year's television special, in November. Even fashion houses like Yves Saint Laurent took note of the stunning beauty and proceeded to sign Kurkova to deals. Print campaigns for Tommy, Valentino and others helped expose Karolina Kurkova even more, while she headlined the second Victoria's Secret show the following year. The constant flow of work (she is said to have worked 23 weeks straight) was recognized by Vogue as they honored her with the "Model of the Year" title at the 2002 VH1/Vogue Fashion Awards.

The usual contracts with big designers such as Ralph Lauren, Oscar de la Renta and Balenciaga continued, and a recent tally put Kurkova's magazine cover appearances at 60 and counting. She is revered as much in the fashion world for her personality, which is described as intense and energetic, as for her looks. This attractive attitude leaves little doubt that Kurkova will emerge as a legendary supermodel; even Vogue editor Anna Wintour called her the "next supermodel." Living in New York's TriBeCa district with her longtime boyfriend, Karolina Kurkova is able to separate herself from modeling enough to enjoy courtside basketball games at Madison Square Garden. We only hope that she can keep up this frenetic work pace or realize that sometimes, less is more.

Kelly Brook Biography

Born Kelly Parsons on November 23, 1979 in Kent, Rochester, England, Ms. Brooke is the daughter of Sandra, a cook, and Ken, a scaffolder. It was clear from the start that Kelly would be much more.

Her talent can be traced back to when she attended the prestigious Italia Conte stage school, where Naomi Campbell and Louise Nurding also studied. After 3 years of training in dance, singing, and acting, Kelly was ready to start her career.

Kelly's mum entered her in a beauty contest, which of course Kelly won, and led to her interest in modeling. After some small modeling jobs at local firms, including the flooring company KMS, Kelly was gracing the cover of GQ, FHM, Sky, Cosmopolitan, Tatler, The Face, and Company by the age of 16.

Her gorgeous physique also slipped into Lee jeans, as part of its advertising campaign, and she was known for playing the game show hostess ''Nicky with the Ticky'' for a Sure deodorant TV ad. She was finally making a larger salary, as compared to her waitressing job at a tea shop.

More modeling jobs came Kelly's way, such as print campaigns for Renault Megane, Walkers, Piz Buin, and the Triumph Flaunt underwear and bra line. The latter featured Kelly on a billboard in London, said to be the largest billboard in the world -- all the more to see Kelly.

Although Kelly was appearing in ads all over the UK, she hit the big time when she won the position of Big Breakfast presenter on Britain's Channel 4. It was Kelly's dream come true, since she was more interested in being a presenter than acting or singing.

Rumor has it that Kelly quit Big Breakfast after the tabloids published that the show was going to fire her for being ''too dumb.'' Well, she beat them to it by resigning.
After Big Breakfast, Kelly was busy hosting MTV's Select. It was the perfect move for her, as she wanted to be involved with presenting hip music to young fans, because of her interest in dance.
Kelly was splitting her presenting duties and television appearances between Select, VLP and Babewatch for Granada, and The T-Spot for Trouble TV. She was also co-host for No Worries, made appearances on Short Change and Fist of Fun, and hosted the Oasis Live at Wembley concert on Sky One.
Forget about TV, Kelly was seen on the big-screen in 2000, in the film Sorted. She also made a guest-appearance in Mojo, and took her acting skills as a table dancer to the stage of the production, Eye Contact, at the Riverside Studios in London. You may also recognize her from Pulp's ''Help the Aged'' music video.
We might see more of Kelly, as she was cast in the pilot for The (Mis)adventures of Fiona Plum.
Kelly released her first official calendar in 2001, featuring all of Kelly, 12 months a year. Lock, Stock and 2 Smoking Barrels and Snatch star Jason Statham gets to see her 365 days a year, as they are engaged.
FHM's 5th Sexiest Brit Girl for 2000 can next be seen in the upcoming film Ripper: Letter from Hell, as Marisa.

Cherrie Ying Choi Yi Biography

Cherrie Ying Choi-Yi was born on June 20th, 1983 in Taiwan and moved with her family to New York when she was eleven. After making a strong film debut in Fulltime Killer (2001), she caught the attention of Charles Heung’s wife and was signed to a contract with China Star Entertainment Co., Ltd. Since then, Ying has been working consistently and is rapidly gaining popularity. In 2002 alone, she appeared in Fat Choi Spirit, Visible Secret 2, and The Wall. Her most recent film was Why Me Sweetie (2003), in which she played the female lead opposite Louis Koo Tin-Lok. (Yinique 2003)

Filmography

• Mr. 3 Minutes (2006)
• Nothing is Impossible (2006) - Vivian
• Rob-B-Hood (2006)
• Karmic Mahjong (2006) - Jiajia
• Wait 'Til You're Older (2005) (credited as Cherrie In)
  
• Election (2005)
• Slim Till Dead (2005) - Cherrie
• Himalaya Singh (2005) - Tally
• Kung Fu Mahjong 2 (2005) - Fanny
• Throw Down (2004) - Mona
• Itchy Heart (2004) - Cherry
• Naked Ambition (2003) - Pamela
• Why Me, Sweetie?! (2003) - Ding Ding
• Fat Choi Spirit (2002) - Cherrie
• The Wall (2002)
• Mighty Baby (2002) - Ginger
• My Left Eye Sees Ghosts (2002)
• Visible Secret 2 (2002) - September
• Dance of a Dream (2001) - June
• Fulltime Killer (2001) - Gigi

Sonija Kwok Biography

Birthday: 12 July 1974
Height: 168 cm

Weight: 49 Kg
Measure: 33-23-34

Awards

• Miss Hong Kong Pageant 1999 - Champion
• 1999 Miss Photogenic
• 1999 Miss International Goodwill
• 1999 Miss Intelligence
• Miss Chinese International Pageant 2000 - Champion
• 2000 Miss Internet Popularity
• 2000 Miss Vegas Gorgeous

Series

• Law Enforcer (2000)
• A Step Into The Past (2001)
• Where the Legend Begins (2001)
• Fight For Love (2001)
• Family Man (2001)
• Perish in the Name of Love (2001)
• Love and Again (2002)
• The Legend Of Love (2002)
• Angels Of Mission (2003)
• Hidden Treasures (2004)
• The Last BreakThrough (2004)
• Lethal Weapons of Love and Passion (2005)
• Roaming Sword (2004) (Starts filming in December 2004 - March 2005)

Movies

• The Cheaters (2001)
• The Replacement Suspects (2001)
• Fighting to Survive (2002)
• Hot Cop in the City (2005)

Kim Sa Rang Biography

SA-RANG (pronounced Sa-lang) plainly means "love" in the Corean language. Unlike most Corean first names which can also be written in Chinese characters, SARANG, is only Corean. Sarang Kim, like many of her countrypeople say, has a very Corean face. Maybe. Walking in the streets of Seoul, she probably won't get many double glances. She takes care of her appearance, but is far from the beauty queen image. This is probably why she has many admirers and no enemies (do you know how many Corean WOMEN dislike Sohn Taeyoung??-ridiculously).

There's something about Sarang...you just can't dislike her. How could you?! She has a smile that represents the warmth of the Corean people. It's her smile that can get credit for her victory in the national competition last May. So victorious she was that the Korea Universe crown eluded Taeyoung Sohn.

In Miss Universe 2001...

Kim was crowned Miss Korea on May 28, 2000 at the Sejong Cultural Center, the site of the 1980 Miss Universe Pageant, and was subsequently handed her acting career. She also represented the Land of the Morning Calm (Korea) in the Miss Universe Pageant 2001. During the pageant, she won the special award of Best National Costume wearing a beautiful creation of Korean hanbok dress.

Before the delegates' arrival in Puerto Rico, Sarang was almost unmentioned in the pageant community. As delegate pictures were launched in pageant sites, many people took notice of her. Of course she is not mentioned with the superpowers: India, Venezuela, Puerto Rico, etc., but she is arguably among the favorites from the Asia/Oceania region.

So many people have described her not only as a "doll" but a "porcelain doll." Few Coreans have the privilege of resembling a porcelain doll. I guess this is a compliment or is it a mockery? In the past, other queens have been criticized for looking like Ken's girlfriend (Barbie). Similarily, Taeyoung Sohn has been described as an "absolute doll" and many people seem to like her....so Sarang can take it as a compliment!

What are her chances of reaching the semifinals? Many fans have enlisted "Korea" in their TOP 10 FAVORITES in messageboards, but will the judges especially notice her? Well, it'll be no surprise if she does not make the cut, judging from past performances (this country hasn't made the semis since 1988!). But to many it should be little surprise if she does make it.

Let's see.... Gown: she's a good dresser. Let's just hope she doesn't make a bad choice like many of her predecessors. Swimsuit: while Corea has always been poor at this competition, some have complimented Sarang's presentation. But it could be the competition that could cost the spot, such as in 1995 Namibia, when Sungju Han oh-so missed the semis. Hopefully the western judges will fall over her Corean-innocent-angel-doll-porcelain doll-musician-college student smile!

Sarang has done her job by at least going noticed. As she said, it is her goal to "promote the beauty of Corea to the world." Mission Accomplished. Though most delegates participate to achieve this goal, unfortunately all don't succeed. Way-da-go Miss Korea!!

Profile...

Born in 1978 (Jan 12), Sarang represented the Metropolitan City of Seoul, Corea's population:+10 million, capital. Sarang unintentionally entered the pageant scene. Accompanying her friend, who was registrating for the pageant, Sarang also applied due to encouragement of others. And she won the Seoul pageant and went to the nationals
.
Standing 5'8 ft, she among the tallest Asian delegate in Miss Universe 2001. She has it all to win Miss America even the talent. Sarang is pursuing a masters degree in the Yongin University graduate school. She studies the gayageum, It is Corea's most musical and traditional instrument. This string instrument requires a lot of training and discipline. Seldom does the young generation pick up the gayaguem. Obviously, Sarang is very musical. She also enjoys playing the piano and listening to music. But as for now, her passion is acting. Her career dream is to be an actress. She has accomplished the dream.

The actress...

As a national queen, Sarang has easy easier access to t.v. shows and drama scripts. For the most of her reign period, she was seldom seen on network television. At times, she was seen on cosmetics commerical ads and magazines. So it sounds sincere, when Sarang says she wants to be a good actress. Unlike other beauty queens who first start acting and noticeably show their novice performance, Sarang seems to have it to act in serious terms.

Sarang just got her major acting role for a Sunday morning t.v. drama titled, "What in the World..." She plays opposite several of Corea's good actors. Sarang plays Youjin, the younger daughter of a single mother who operates student housing in the family residence. The character is very selfish, outgoing, and a compaliner. She has a lot of men around and always stirs arguments with (a more attractive) sister.

It's a bit hard to imagine Sarang playing a slight b*tch, but she does it so well! Indeed, many people tune in to watch the show, because of Sarang's bitchy, but irresistably cute character. The new show started less than 2 months ago, but so far is so good!!

Joey Wang Biography

Joey Wong (王祖賢, Hanyu Pinyin: Wáng Zǔxián, born January 31, 1967, also known as Joey Wong Cho-yin (Cantonese), Joey Wang Zu Xian (Mandarin), Joey Wang Tsu Hsien (Taiwanese), Joey Ong Jyo Han or Hen (Fukien) and Joey Wang) is a Taiwanese actress.

Wong was born and raised in Taipei and also received a secondary school education there. She was enrolled in the drama course of Kuo Kwan Arts School. She has an older brother, a younger brother and one sister.

Her father is a basketball player and he encouraged her to become a professional basketball player when she was fourteen. Shortly thereafter she shot a TV commercial for sport shoes which drew the attention of a film producer whom made her the leading lady of film It’ll Be Very Cold by the Lakeside This Year. This movie attracted the attention of producer Mona Fong of Shaw Brothers and she invited Wong come to Hong Kong to make her first Hong Kong movie Let’s Make Laugh II, opposite Derek Yee Tung Sing.

In 1987, she portrayed a beautiful ghost in A Chinese Ghost Story and her beauty and grace made her a film idol in Japan and South Korea. She made a dozen movies in the following years playing similar characters, either ghost or vixen, gliding across the screen.

In 1989 she went to Japan to star in TV series A Woman From Hong Kong. Later she also made commercials and published photo albums. In 1992 she made her singing debut with the Japanese and Mandarin CD single, "Hold You In My Arms Forever".

Wong expressed a desire to retire from film making in 1994 and stayed away from the limelight until 1997 when she returned to the silver screen in the Japanese movie Peking Gejin (Peking Man) and released the companion CD single "Who Are You?".

In 1998 she released the extended Japanese CD Angelus and her first and only full CD, in Mandarin, Isolation aka Isolated From The World.

She returned to semi-retirement after the release of Isolation, but returned once again to films in 2001 with Peony Pavillion, then once again announced her retirement.

In 2004 she appeared in Beautiful Shanghai aka Shanghai Story and reportedly appeared in a Taiwanese TV series with on again, off again beau Chyi Chin. It was reported that she enjoyed her return to films and reportedly signed a multi-film contract. However, the unexpected suicide of her friend and former movie co-star Leslie Cheung Kwok Wing caused her to withdraw once again from the limelight.

In September 2005, coinciding with the world-wide release of Beautiful Shanghai (Shanghai Story), she once again announced her formal retirement. It's reported that she currently resides in Vancouver, Canada and is studying English.

Fan Bing Bing Biography

Nicknames: Bingbing, Baobao
In Vietnamese: Phạm Băng Băng
In Chinese: 范冰冰
Birthday: September 16, 1981
Zodiac Sign: Virgo
Blood Type: B
Height: 168 cm
Weight: 52.5 kg
College: Shanghai School of Acting
Birthplace: city of Qing Dao in Shan Dong Province
Current residence: Beijing
Talents: dancing, piano, flute, swimming, ice skating
Fluent Languages: Mandarin, English, regional dialects (Shandong)
Her own opinion of her personality: open, active
Motto: If you put your heart into what you're doing and take it seriously, you'll succeed
What she does when she's feeling down: go to a high place and watch people go by
Who she goes to for advice and to talk: herself
What she does in her spare time: sleep, watch TV, sing, play ball
Idol: Leonardo