Elle Macpherson revealed that she did not ‘enjoy’ modelling and referred to her career in the industry as a ‘glorious means to an end’.
The 59-year-old Australian model began her career in 1982, and her popularity rapidly grew as she appeared on the covers of numerous magazines and walked the runway for Christian Dior, Michael Kors, Calvin Klein, and Valentino.
She appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated’s annual Swimsuit Issue a record five times and earned the nickname ‘The Body’ as she became one of the most recognisable models.
Since then, she has presented Britain and Ireland’s Next Top Model and established multiple enterprises, including a lingerie line and a cosmetics brand.
However, Elle has recently stated that her time as a supermodel was not particularly enjoyable.
Friday during her appearance on This Morning, Elle reflected on her career.
After initially pursuing a profession as a barrister, she dabbled in modelling to supplement her income while studying.
‘I thought law was a practical and stable career…but then life called me in another direction,’ she said.
‘I wanted to be independent financially and it paid better than working at a pharmacy but then I listened to my heart, and I took a step towards it and gave modelling a go.
‘Ultimately I started working for financially independence and I turned that into a career and then a brand.’
When queried about her transition from modelling to business, she confessed that her heart had never been in front of the camera.
‘I didn’t love modelling, but I loved what it brought me. I did love co-creating imagery and producing and art direction and seeing an image come to life, but it’s been a beautiful means to an end for me because I travelled and was independent and I’ve had a very large scope of career thanks to it.’
‘It’s been an incredible education.’
Elle, who starred in Next Top Model for four seasons between 2010 and 2013, expressed her desire for the series, which broadcast for the last time in 2016, to return.
‘I want to bring it back. Let’s campaign,’ she said.
‘I hosted and produced it and it was such a wonderful experience taking these young girls and helping them lean into their individuality and their unique beauty, because we are all beautiful and we just need to lean into it and discover it.’
In 2016 Elle also reflected on her career, telling The Daily Telegraph’s BW Magazine she took a more casual approach early on in her career.
‘It’s an industry you need to take seriously, but I didn’t’ she said.
‘I remember one shoot, very early on, showing up and seeing so many other girls.’
She decided to depart to prevent wasting any more time after being left “standing in a line all day” doing nothing.
This Morning airs weekdays at 10am on ITV1.
