I thought my interview with Miranda Kerr would be over before it had even begun.
My opening question* about recent controversy surrounding the at times extreme diet and exercise measures taken by the ‘Angels’ in the lead up to the Victoria Secret Fashion Show** had the PR’s hopping from foot to foot and rushing to intercept.
‘No no, it’s fine. They’re going to say no, but I’m saying it’s ok,’ Miranda says as we sit in a private suite overlooking Melbourne on the 23rd floor of Crown Towers.
‘I’ve studied nutrition, so I’m very passionate about health and wellness. I always try to encourage those around me to do the same so that they’re at their optimum.
‘I can’t speak for the other girls, but I feel that women really need to rearrange their mind around focusing on what is best for them health wise as opposed to counting calories.’
‘I’m about the 80/20 rule, because life is for living. 80% of the time I’m extremely healthy, giving my body the nutrients it needs to keep up, and then there is the 20%.’
Kerr is here to talk about ‘Clear Scalp & Hair Beauty Therapy’ of which she is the brand ambassador and is really the reasonI am sitting in front of her today.
I jumped at the chance to chat with her when it was offered because I was curious to meet her after reading Amy Odell & Jada Yuan’s article in The New York Times ‘178 Minutes With Miranda Kerr.’
The article caused somewhat of a media storm at the time because they described Kerr as showing ‘a strong reluctance to utter any sentences not purely banal.’
It also detailed the incredible entourage that more often than not surrounds her, and while there were only 2 publicists and 3 security guards in tow when we meet, the idea of someone being so highly ‘managed’ was personally fascinating.
During our chat, Kerr details how she started Kora Organics as she’s passionate about leading an organic life and wanted created products that reviltalise the skin.
So how does this organic ethos fit with working as a brand ambassador for Clear?
‘It’s with the 80/20 rule. Using Clear is the 20% indulgence because I haven’t found an organic shampoo that delivers the results that I need.’
Maybe you could create one through Kora I ponder?
‘Maybe,’ she blinks back and smiles the smile of what I can only imagine is that of someone who is in a position to take on a rather lucrative ambassador position even if it only fits in with your lifestyle 20% of the time.
The conversation ensues around healthy fats, food (cold pressed, green-tea, juice daily, for glowing skin I’m told) and nutrition for a healthy existence.
This leads me on to her thoughts about why she’s managed to have such a long career as a model, when many people have relatively short careers in what can be a fickle industry. Stamina? A health life style to keep in shape?
‘You know from day one I guess maybe it was my country up bringing, but I saw it for what it was. I understood that it could all be gone tomorrow.
‘I thought, ‘Lets travel, lets meet interesting, creative people.’ I’ve always tried to have fun on set. But if it all ends tomorrow I have so many other things I want to do in my life.’
At this point I’m given the wrap up signal but manage a few photos and an Instagram update which Kerr did herself from my phone.
‘I love Instagramming for other people! What would you like to say? Wow look at your hair and you look so young in this photo!’
It’s become the most liked photo I’ve ever uploaded to Instagram and in a micro way goes to explain her magnetism and popularity.
I don’t feel my questions were answered on any sort of deep level, or at all aside from platitudes about leading an organic life.
However, be it David Jones, Clear Scalp & Hair Beauty Therapy or her own line or Kora Organics, Kerr can do no wrong whether banal, or not it would seem.
* All of my questions were sent through the day before the interview for vetting and came back approved.
**links to related articles
‘Victoria’s Secret Angels go through hell to get in shape and stay slim for annual fashion show‘ via Daily News
‘The race is on! Victoria’s Secret models post last-minute diet and exercise pictures before New York runway show‘ via DailyMail.co.uk
‘Adriana Lima defends extreme Victoria’s Secret liquid diet, workout regimen, says quotes were ‘a misunderstanding’‘ via Daily News
13 comments
I think she is a hypocrite. You can’t combine a green lifestyle with eating fish, and wearing leather and wool. Also the underwear she wears for VS contain formal hydrate. She also models for products of Unilver, containing formal hydrate. I understand she have chosen a risky path. When you say you are about green living you show you care,but you are also under scrutiny. If she said nothing about her life choice she could wear fur, and nobody would say something as a figure of speech.
Still I think you can’t say you live green and organic, still promoting toxic products. That is why I think she is not honest.
[…] round amazing person (I’m not biased at all) Phoebe Montague, aka Lady Melbourne, interviewed Miranda Kerr while she was in Melbourne spruiking a beauty […]
I agree with Arbella wholeheartedly! Miranda is gorgous, yet I find it hard to take positive advice regarding self esteem from someone who represents Victoria’s secret,In my opinion which is one of the most shallow industries that banks on women’s insecurities and men’s lust, I was hoping us ladies were worth more then that.
Nice interview Lady M. I like your style 😉
While Miranda is beautiful, and I think actually rather ‘nice’, that’s not enough for me. I look up to intelligent, educated women, women who have something to say. I think this is why I prefer actresses to models in campaigns and on magazine covers. Miranda seems very ‘managed’, which is as I suspected. Someone like Lana del Rey doesn’t vet questions.
Also Miranda’s book is hilariously naive – as a childhood anorexic I would have immediately discerned its hypocrisy. As a model, Miranda works in an industry that trades on women’s sense of inadequacy, wanting to be/have more. Let’s not pretend otherwise. Maybe she should do as Kate Moss – a much more interesting model – does and simply not do interviews. I also hate the image of women Victoria’s Secret propagates. It’s very retrograde and ignorant. Not something I aspire to at all.
Great article LM. The 80/20 rule – please. So by that rule she can sell her soul as long as it falls into the 20%. Most people understand that a lucrative contract can mean financial security and who would say no to that but don’t treat the public like they are fools. She would have gained more credibility if had she responded with some integrity. You are a true professional LM. Love your work.
I loved this article. I’m glad you asked the questions you did! even if she didn’t quite answer them. Everything I read about miranda just seems a little scripted. I love her Kora products, they have done amazing things for my skin, I am not sure why she would endorse a hair care brand that goes against what she apparently stands for? money is always being thrown at her so why do this?
I really like that you questioned her responses and her choices in being a brand ambassador for something that may not totally fit with her ethos. I think it is hard for us to imagine what it would be like to live a lifestyle with so many ‘handlers’ and it’s interesting to see into that world and how it might not be something all of us should covet, great story!
You look absolutely flawless.
I really love this colour on you. It takes a lot of guts to stand up and take a piccie beside Miranda Kerr but you definitely do this image justice … Beautiful!
Why not follow Miranda’s advice? Sure she’s got the looks, but her hair and skin are lovely. So try to follow her example , no need for negative comments!
Is it just me or did she not give you a direct answer to any of your questions?! Talk about spin! But I still think she is classy and stylish and I’m very jealous you got to meet her Lady M!
Despite saying she grew up in the country, she grew up and attended school in Brisbane!
And she hated NY and left quickly before her then bf went over with her for support. Well edited life story.
So are you a fan or not? Kind of sounds like you aren’t. Interesting about the 20% of the time comment and how she endorses a hair product which isn’t natural. Also, her comment that you look really young in the photo was a bit weird if you ask me haha. I think Miranda is probably a very nice person though – I have her book and I like to think I have the same sort of values in life. Eating well, using natural products on my skin etc and I do believe it does make you look younger and is much better for you long term.