Interview from Cosmopolitan, May 1998

When Cosmo cover girl Laetitia Casta was discovered four years ago, she never imagined that gracing the convers of major magazines and appearing in ad campaigns for Chanel, Ralph Lauren, Victoria's Secret, and Guess? would be her ticket to the movies. The 20-year-old French beauty is taking her talents to the big screen in a film that recently wrapped shooting in Paris, Asterix et Obelix, due out in the U.S. next year. The most exciting part: "I got to work next to Gerard Depardieu!"

Q&A with Laetitia:

List your five absolutely favorite clothing items.
My jeans with a rip under the bum (you should wear jeans and a t-shirt as confidently as you wear a designer suit); striped capri pants; and yellow 60's flowering dress; and extralarge cashmere sweater; and pink socks with little pigs on them.

How do you stay in shape?
I like to ride horses and take long walks. I'm not the type to slave away at the gym. I like that I have curves.

Do you have any French beauty secrets?
I laugh as hard as I can for 15 minutes every day. Having a lust for life makes you beautiful.

What's the hardest thing about being a model?
Being true to yourself. Its easy to get wrapped up in the business and lose your values.

Are men intimidated by you?
On the contrary, I'm the one who's shy and intimidated.

What's the best advice anyone ever gave you?
That all people are equal. When someone makes me nervous, I imagine them on the toilet, and then I feel much more self assured.

How do you relax?
I listen to loudmusic and dance wildly in front of my mirror.