Australian model Jessica Gomes is capitalising on a trend towards healthy classic beauties as she follows in the footsteps of Elle Macpherson.
The curvaceous 24-year-old stunner – who is half Singaporean and half Portuguese – has just had her third shoot for the famed Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue.
She said she was delighted to be one of the top Sports Illustrated models, following in Macpherson’s footsteps – and she has her sights set on being the magazine’s covergirl.
“Now, I’m one of the top Sports Illustrated models,” Gomes told AAP from New York.
“They have a certain number of girls that they keep using and I think I’ve gotten into that category, which is really exciting. And I’m just really happy.
“I’m the only Australian and I’m the only Asian so I’m really proud of that.”
Voted one of the 10 hottest supermodels by US magazine MAXIM, the Perth-born exotic beauty has been modelling for 10 years and moved to New York five years ago, picking up work with Victoria’s Secret and other labels.
She has just returned from Korea where she is a household name thanks to her star turn in a video game and her own reality TV show called I Am Jessica Gomes.
Gomes said it wasn’t always easy as a youngster in the competitive New York modelling world.
She said she was lucky that her look was “in” right now, with a departure from the sexy, edgy, alien look recently favoured by the industry.
“I’ve been speaking to my agents and they’re saying that pretty is back, which is great for me,” said Gomes, who rang the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange earlier this week.
“I’m really happy that they’re bringing back the classic beauties.
“That’s what’s so exciting about the industry. You never know what they’re looking for next.”
Gomes, who is a close friend of fellow Perth model and actress Gemma Ward, said Australians had an advantage in the US.
“Everyone loves Australians because we’re so easy-going,” Gomes said.
“We have a genuine feel to us. People like having that around. And we’re easy to work with.
“Plus, we have a really natural clean look and that’s why I think Miranda’s (Kerr) worked really well.
“It’s more clean and it lasts. Go Australia, I’m loving it.”
Looking ahead, Gomes, who starred in the TV show Bush Patrol when she was 12, would also like to go back to acting at some stage, and hopes to do more work in Australia.
But right now, she’s hoping her success continues.
“I think I’m doing something right. I just hope it continues because you never know,” she said.
