Adriana Lima
- Category : Model
- Type : PE
- Profile : 6/2 - Role Model / Hermit
- Definition : Single
- Incarnation Cross : LAX Confrontation 1
Biography
Adriana Francesca Lima (born June 12, 1981) is a Brazilian supermodel. She is best known for her modeling work with Victoria's Secret and Maybelline. Adriana Lima is currently the third highest paid model in the world (behind Gisele Bundchen and Kate Moss). She earned $4.5 million in 2006 according to Forbes.
She ranked 7th on FHM 100 Sexiest Women 2007 and was chosen as one of People Magazine's annual 100 Most Beautiful People in the World, in May 2007 along with fellow Victoria's Secret Angels (Selita Ebanks, Alessandra Ambrosio, Izabel Goulart and Karolina Kurkova)
Early life and career
Lima was born in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil in 1981. She is an only child. She stated that, she is of African, Indian and Swiss descent. A devout Roman Catholic, she had planned to become a nun before she started modeling. Lima's father walked out on her and her mother when she was 6 months old. Lima has met him only once since. When she was about 15 years old, Lima wanted to travel to Miami for a modeling competition but she was not allowed to leave Brazil without certain legal papers that her father owned.
Adriana Lima was discovered while at a local mall at the age of 13. She finished in first place in a Ford Supermodel of Brazil model search. Lima later followed with a second place finish in the 1996 Ford Supermodel of the World contest.
Modeling career
Lima moved to New York City, and eventually moved on from Ford, signing with Elite Model Management. Her early career consisted mostly of fashion editorial work (with early appearances in international editions of Vogue and Marie Claire in 1997/1998), as well as runway work (Christian Lacroix, Valentino, and others). Lima's first big break came when she was featured in a Vassarette billboard in Times Square. Her print career followed, and like many other famous names (Claudia Schiffer, Laetitia Casta, Eva Herzigova), Lima became a GUESS? Girl in their 2000 Costanoa and has face campaign.
Lima continued to build upon her entry, doing more print work (Maybelline, bebe, Mossimo, BCBG) and gracing the cover and editorials of more high fashion magazines (Harper's Bazaar, ELLE). Probably best known for her Victoria's Secret work and Angel status (along with Heidi Klum, Gisele Bündchen, and Alessandra Ambrosio), Lima first graced the VS runway in 1999, and was the show opener for the 2003 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show.
In 2001, Lima starred in BMW Films short, The Follow alongside actors Mickey Rourke, Clive Owen, and Forest Whitaker. In the film, Owen's character is hired to follow Lima's, who is suspected of cheating on her famous husband, played by Rourke. The film had a runtime of 8:47 including credits, was written by Andrew Kevin Walker, and directed by Wong Kar-Wai. Lima made it clear that acting is not her priority and that she only did The Follow because it was a short film.
She is represented by DNA Model Management NYC in the United States, Lumiere Models in Brazil and VIVA Models in Europe.