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UK Newspaper: READING CHRONICLE (11 Oct 2001) - Different Strokes for Estella
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UK Magazine: HEAT (22 - 28 Sept 2001) -Article about Estella Warren with Christian Burns
UK Newspaper: READING CHRONICLE (11 Oct 2001)
Article - "Different Strokes for Estella"
From international swimmer to top model, Canadian Estella Warren has now conquered Hollywood, beating fierce competition for a role in Planet of the Apes, and now co-starring with Sly Stallone in Driven. She talked to Robin Taylor about her incredible success.
A bureaucratic decision at the Atlanta Olympics was instrumental in helping to launch the career of one of Hollywood's newest sex symbols.
Estella Warren was a member of the Canadian synchronised swimming team when her two events were dropped by the organizing committee six years ago.
Rather than feeling despondent, however, she took a chance on her sultry looks an aged just 16 headed for New York and modelling instead.
Her career culminated in her being made the face of Chanel No 5 which got her so much attention that Warren embarked on a film career.
Such success doesn't happen by accident and while Warren is undoubtedly extremely beautiful, she is also determined.
In fact, the title of her new film Drive, could sum up her attitude of making the most of any opportunity.
The 22 year old certainly doesn't regret that Olympic decision.
"I remember I was devastated at the time but if it hadn't happened I wouldn't be here in Hollywood and I love what I'm doing" she says philosophically.
"I had this opportunity to get into this lucrative business (Of modelling) so I did it.
Warren is the youngest of three daughters and grew up in Peterborough, Ontario and it was her sister Julia who got her interested in synchronized swimming.
Her modeling career took off when photos of her taking part in a high school fashion show were sent to a top New York fashion photographer.
Soon after she arrived in the Big Apple, she was appearing on the cover of Italian Vogue magazine and was then snapped up by Chanel.
The first experience she had of acting was playing Little Red Ridding Hood in a high-profile Chanel TV advert and appropriately, her movie debut earlier this year in a film called Perfume.
Warren first went west to LA two years ago to see if she had what it took - and landed three film offers in two weeks.
Her striking good lucks make her ideal for romantic roles and she played beautiful human slave Daena to Mark Wahlberg's lost astronaut in Tim Burton's remake of Planet of the Apes.
She has a similar role in Driven, Sly Stallone's racing drama which critics have dubbed "Rocky on Wheels".
Stallone, now 55, stars as an ageing star driver who comes out of retirement to join an Indy racing team.
Warren provides the sex appeal as Sophia Simone, causing friction as she goes between the two young rival drivers.
"It's just an action-packed, fast-paced eye candy," she says candidly. "But I think the script and the characters will engage you".
Life has certainly changed for the young actress. While her sister remains a swimming coach, it is a life in the fast lane for Warren, complete with a Hollywood Hills Home and a shiny Black Land Rover.
She says little about her love life but is reportedly dating Boogie Nights director Paul Thomas Anderson.
She seems fairly realistic about her success and accepts her good looks got her started in films with limited acting experience.
Earlier this year she was voted the world's No 1 babe by lads magazine Maxim.
But Warren appears untroubled about being treated as eye candy, saying: "I'd be the first to admit I got these jobs because of the way I look. If I can't use my beauty now, I'm never going to be able to/ This is the way I'm going to get myself to a position where it isn't a factor."
Her 34-24-34 figure is voluptuous rather than model-thin, she says, adding: "I was more like a Victoria's Secret model, I'm very curvy and womanly."
During her model assignments, French director Luc Besson who directed Warren in the Chanel No 5 TV advert, suggested she try acting.
Success came quickly for Warren and it's easy to see why Hollywood's power males have fallen for her.
"Name one woman in the world who's more beautiful than Estella. She's every guy's dream," says Driven directory Renny Harlin.
The role of an Amazonian she-warrior in Planet of the Apes really appealed to Warren and got her widespread recognition.
She beat several A-List stars for the role, including Winona Ryder - and her tough swimming training as a teenager really helped with the role.
"It was so empowering to play this female action hero," she recalls. "I'm so aggressive in that movie, with all this pent-up animosity. I got to run and horseback ride, and I'd get clobbered fighting these apes. All the action was the fun part."
UK
Magazine: HEAT
(6
- 12 Oct 2001)
Article about Estella Warren and her lips
"People always ask me who does my lips. I say my mom did them. They're real."
Planet of the Apes' Estella Warren on her natural cosmetic surgery
UK Magazine: HEAT (22 - 28 Sept 2001)
Article about Estella Warren with Christian Burns
The BBMak star and Planet of the Apes actress met at the MTV Video Music Awards. They then went to the aftershow party, spent all night canoodling and left together.
Reasons for it to last:
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They're both rising young stars so there will be no jealousy
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It's been a while since Christian split with Caprice - he's not on the rebound
Reasons for it not to last:
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Christian seems to like playing the field a bit too much
