[Article] Solenn Heussaff: Belle of the billboards

Hershas always been a face that’s hard to miss — that arresting gaze that greets you from the magazine cover to the allure she exudes from countless TV commercials that will have you buying something you don’t really need. Drive along EDSA and you’ll see that she has already won the battle of the billboards. Her image casually leaning on a motorcycle could very well be a safety hazard, distracting motorists doing double takes.
It seems that these days, Solenn Heussaff is simply inescapable. And the beauty of it, all of these are with not much effort on her part. She is the ultimate “it” girl without even trying.
She enters the restaurant for this shoot with such a carefree attitude, smiling and greeting the staff without the usual self-absorbed vibe that most beautiful people give off.


 
One person wondered out loud, “Does she even know how pretty she is?” I’m pretty sure she’s well aware that she’s no Ugly Betty, but what sets her apart is the fact that she doesn’t rely on her beauty alone. Solenn is a master of many things. Having studied makeup in Paris, she is responsible for beautifying countless celebrities for ads and fashion shoots. Her artistic ways are also to blame for the controversial Rogue cover of model Joey Mead with nothing but body paint on. The half-French knockout flexes her creative muscles even further by designing for retail giant Tan-Gan, and on those rare days when she has free time, she de-stresses by creating vivid images through painting. As if that’s not enough, she can also carry a tune and has recently caught the attention of movers and shakers in the entertainment scene.
After two reschedules, we finally caught up with the busy beauty for this interview. Read up as she gets candid on those showbiz rumors and why guys reading this should consider getting a buzz cut.

YOUNG STAR: You’re the poster girl of beauty powered with talent; there must be one weird thing about you. Care to share?
SOLENN HEUSSAFF: I like going in front of the mirror and practicing different voices like Linda Blair in The Exorcist, and Marvin the Martian.
Would you rather have a bowl of sinigang or French onion soup?
I can eat sinigang every day. I love the sourness of it. And onion soup makes you fart! (laughs)
Who’s your girl crush?
Internationally it would be Lindsay Lohan. Locally, Iza Calzado.
If you could choose only one profession between makeup artist, designer and model, which one would you choose and why?
If I had to choose it would probably be designing, just because it’s an avenue to showcase my creative vision, and I just love fashion.
Heard through the grapevine that you’ll be in the showbiz spotlight soon, any truth?
Semi-true but I don’t want to hype things up just in case things don’t go the way I planned. I don’t want to jinx anything as of now. There are also fears — I’m scared of the gossip that I know comes with it.
If you could live anywhere in the world, which place would you call home?
Tahiti. I’m an island girl at heart. I’ve already been there and it’s a French community. Plus the men are hot!
What’s the most painful thing love has taught you?
No matter how much you love a person, never give 100 percent of yourself because people always tend to disappoint.
What’s your idea of happiness?
To be content with myself and to be happy with what I’m doing.
What would you consider your biggest mistake?
Leaving my life in Paris for a guy.
Have any interesting dreams lately?
Justin Timberlake invited me back to Sofitel after his concert.
What’s the worst thing a guy can do on a first date?
Talk about the future.
What’s the best thing a guy can do upon meeting you?
Treat me with respect and making me laugh.
What turns you on?
Bad boys and shaved heads.
What is the most expensive gift you bought for someone else?
An Oris watch.
Which celebrity could do with a little more respect from the public?
Angelica Panganiban. They always bash her on Twitter and they tag me along with the message. I think people shouldn’t talk unless they know the person.
Which fictional character do you most identify with?
I want to be Carrie but I think I might be Samantha! (laughs)
If you could invite five personalities to a dinner, who would they be?
Colin Farrell, Johnny Depp, Anne Frank, Michael Jackson, and Manny Pacquiao.
What do you think when you look at yourself in the mirror?
“Mukhang koala.” Someone tweeted me that.

What is one sweet little lie you’ve told lately?

I’m not joining showbiz.
If you were given just a weekend to live, what would be the three things you’d do?
Make out, eat sinigang, and tan by the pool with my family.

What mantra do you live by?

If I fall, I will rise again. It’s tattooed on my rib in French.
What would you consider the greatest invention?
The airplane.
What should men never say?
“Ang taba mo.”
What should women never do?
Scratch their boob in public.
Who has the sexiest brain for you?
Divine Lee.
What’s the worst thing you’ve heard about yourself?
Eighty percent of my friends are men so women get the wrong impression of me and say nasty things.
What would you rather be doing right now?
In this weather I’d rather be scuba diving in Puerto Galera.
Whose body makes you feel like touching it?
Piolo Pascual.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
With three kids and milking a cow in Tahiti.  
THE DIALOGUE By Raymond Gutierrez The Philippine Star Updated April 09, 2010 12:00 AM