West Coast Wonder

In this photoshoot and exclusive interview, we catch up with the Canadian top model Rachel Roberts who proves that her beauty and talent is stronger than ever.

Born in Vancouver, Canadian supermodel Rachel Roberts had an idyllic childhood. “I grew up in nature,” recalls the West Coast beauty. “I spent my childhood playing in the forest or in the ocean. [Vancouver is] one of the few cities in the world where you can ski and water ski in the same day.”

However, at age 15, Roberts left the seaport city and packed her bags for NYC, where, with the help of legendary Canadian agent Liz Bell, she signed with NEXT Models. The big move did come with a few changes. “To start modelling, I had to go on a strict diet and train six days a week with a trainer called Radu (who worked with Cindy Crawford at the time).” The hard work paid off, as Roberts was discovered by Jennifer Starr and Bruce Weber. “We did the Pirelli Calendar together and my first main story in Italian Vogue.” From then on, she quickly became one of the most in-demand models. “We also shot campaigns for Ralph Lauren and Perry Ellis. That opened the door for me.”

Her resume is impressive, having worked with major publications like Elle, Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, and the 2000 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. She’s starred in campaigns for Bottega Veneta, Sisley, and Victoria’s Secret and has graced the runways of countless designers such as Chloé, Valentino, Givenchy, Fendi, and Balmain. “I’ve been all over the world and met incredibly talented people who I wouldn’t have met otherwise. I’ve always felt modelling is such a privilege. It opened my eyes to other cultures. I grew up fast.”

A natural in front of the camera, Roberts has also transitioned into acting. She starred in the 2002 film Simone, opposite Al Pacino. “I think I was the only one of my model friends who didn’t want to be an actor. I was asked to audition for the movie Simone and had no idea what I was doing. Luckily, they were looking for an unknown and didn’t need someone with a ton of experience,” she tells us.

“I love both modelling and acting. In one, you get to portray the image of a character, and, in the other, you get to flesh it out fully. I find acting to be more of a challenge because you have to give much more of yourself and take greater risks.”

Roberts has since made numerous appearances on television shows such as Entourage, Ugly Betty, Mad Men, and Numbers. She can also be seen in Rihanna’s music video for her hit record, “Bitch Better Have My Money.” “Rihanna is an incredible talent and a force of nature. She was great on set and was involved in every element of the story. Hanging bound and topless was definitely a first for me (I did all my own stunts in that video). Rihanna had a story to tell, and I played a part. It's meant to be provocative.”

What sounds like a picture-perfect career has come with a few curve-balls. Roberts’ mother, Lila, was a model herself and became a key source of support in the early days of her career. Sadly, Lila passed from breast cancer when Roberts was only 16, a devastating loss for the young star. “I pushed ahead so [my parents’] hard work and sacrifice wasn’t for nothing. I guess it taught me perseverance. In our profession, you’re always one job away from success, so never give up.”

IN OUR profession, you’re ALWAYS ONE JOB away from SUCCESS, SO NEVER GIVE UP.

Roberts carries that mentality with her everywhere. “You never have a chance to succeed at anything if you don’t overcome your fears, self-doubt, or whatever gets in our way.”

When she isn’t working, Roberts’ spends time with her two children and husband in Los Angeles. “As cliché as it may sound, my family is my other passion. Spending time with my kids is what I love… I’m very lucky to be able to have a flexible job that allows me a lot of time with my kids, but, when the call comes for work, I am also able to fly off to work at a moment’s notice.”

She tells us, “I’m trying to grow old gracefully in a city [LA] that has a very different aesthetic of what beauty and youth is compared to where I grew up. It’s important to me to show my daughter that embracing your age and loving and accepting the lines on your face is part of life.” Reflecting on the changes within the industry over the years, she notes that “our view of what is beautiful has finally broadened. Women of all shapes and sizes and all ages are succeeding in fashion, and that’s fantastic.”

Her secrets for graceful aging? Diligent sun protection, cleansing, and exfoliation. “Unfortunately, I’m a ‘side sleeper’ and can’t train myself to sleep on my back no matter what I do. To be gentle on your face, you have to find the right pillow, and whenever you can, get eight hours of sleep!”