Hollywood, Louie, and the Elite Scandal...
In New York, there's Louie, Steven and the multitude of people she's become friendly with, such as models Karen Elson and Carmen Kass. It's a bit of a juggling act emotionally to try to keep both 'home' fires burning strongly. "You get used to a certain way of life. And as far as moving back home... Its so small and it is a different way of life." Nonetheless, she insists that her high profile career has not come between her and her friends and that they enjoy her fame as much as she does. "If one of my friends was an actress I'd love to watch them in a movie, there's no envy in our group."
Hollywood seems a logical next step for this model who enjoys immersing herself in each of her modeling jobs. "I kind of evolve into every character. It's never the same, each situation is different." While recently in Palm Beach for the Elgort/February Vogue story, she stayed in a posh hotel, ate fabulous food, watched the ladies, and "felt like one of them." She enjoys becoming the different characters and using her imagination to slip into character, whether it's looking sexy or "like a war victim."
Although Maggie is intrigued by Hollywood, she's not rushing to pack her bags and head West as so many models before her have. Her plans for the future include resuming her former life with some improvements made possible by the money she's earned modeling. She'd like to go back to college and buy "a huge gorgeous house with lots of land with a big huge vegetable garden", possibly setting up a sort of animal shelter. A lifetime animal lover, she was inspired by an item she recently read on pets.com about a ranch in Utah that takes care of homeless pets.
THE ELITE VIDEO CONTROVERSY: As an important face in the fashion firmament, Maggie has not had to tolerate anything less than scrupulously proper behavior from those who prey on young models, the unknowns of the fashion world. As a top girl, she has escaped the unpleasantness author Michael Gross refers to in his controversial book, Model, the Ugly Business of Beautiful Women:
"Models are sold back and forth for bounties. It is a thriving trade... Top models may be the worst judges of all. The underbelly of modeling is never seen from their gilded perch... A million-dollar face is a bit more rare and valuable." "Says supermodel Cindy Crawford, 'It's true that most of the top girls haven't dealt with slimy agents, haven't done the whole drug thing, and it's interesting that the business says, unspokenly: These girls, protect.'" (Model - The Ugly Business of Beautiful Women, Michael Gross, P. 4,6 William Morrow & Company, Inc.)
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS: Maggie took some time-out while relaxing at home in the West Village between fittings to answer some questions on the topic of Milan and the now infamous video that was a hot topic around town last November and about how she's adjusted to her new life. While she has not read Model, she thinks it "sounds interesting", but one senses in perhaps a remote way that does not directly have bearing on her life. She herself admits that no one would dare prey on her for fear of repercussions from her agency.
LOL: When you started out, did you do the Milan circuit? Is there any truth (as far as you know) about what goes on with the so-called PR's or Milano per bene, all long-haired and chic, who chauffeur models to the shows all day and to the town's discos by night exploiting very young ie: underage girls? (Model, Gross, p. 1)
MR: I hate Milan. I have seen the long haired sleazy guys around. Some of the lesser known girls get into trouble probably because they have more time on their hands in which to get in trouble.
LOL: Did YOU ever experience any of this or do you know any girls who have? As a top model have you ever been exposed to this kind of treatment? Do the agencies leave the top girls alone?
MR: It has not been my experience to have been bothered by anyone while in Milan, but I know other girls have had bad experiences there. It helps that I'm educated and old enough to know better. If anyone did bother me, I'd be so on top of it. My drivers have always treated me with respect and my agency is on top of it, they know who they're hiring to drive me around.
LOL: What do you think about the Elite 'scandal' and about the coverage it received from The NY Post and The NY Daily News? About the fact that the tape ran in the UK and Canada but not in the USA? Did you see the tape? Do you know Gerald Marie and the others on the tape?
MR: I heard about it but never saw it. I know Gerald but my relationship is with Louie. Again, for me, it's all about Louie.
LOL: Do you feel any differently about Elite because of this?
MR: I deal with Louie only. If he left Elite, I'd be right behind him.
Dave
Orlando, Florida
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