Heart to Hart with one of our most successful modelling exports
SHE’S strutted the catwalk for Victoria’s Secret, but Jess Hart says in this age of social media domination, it’s difficult to find a balance between giving her fans insights into her life and not revealing too much.
VIC News
Don't miss out on the headlines from VIC News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
HOMEGROWN supermodel Jess Hart is one of our most successful exports on the international stage. A Victoria’s Secret model, Sports Illustrated star, Vogue cover girl and international designer runway darling, she’s ticked off all the big model moments.
And while she loves the glamour life in New York, where she has lived for longer now than she lived in Melbourne, the 32-year-old gap-toothed beauty is entering a new phase in her life and her career.
“I’m grateful I’m in a position to be a little more selective these days. I’m still shooting editorials, swimwear, lingerie and fashion,so that’s the same as it used to be,” she says.
“My 20s were all about building and maintaining my career profile, now in my 30s I feel I can carry the experience through and collaborate more with my work.”
CAULFIELD CUP CARNIVAL’S MALIBU BEACH THEME
She doesn’t fear ageing in a business that has been notoriously brutal to women and is embracing new opportunities and the confidence that comes with experience.
“Honestly, I forget I’m 32 all the time. When I was 24, I’d think, ‘Wow, 32 is really old’. But now I’m 32, I feel really young,” she says.
“You definitely have more wisdom as you get older and I really love that aspect. I love being a woman versus a girl.
“You can never not help feeling that you haven’t done enough but I’m trying to give myself the freedom to accept that and let the universe take its course.”
The business has changed substantially since Hart stepped uncertainly into it at the age of 15 after being discovered in a Dolly magazine model search at Eastland Shopping Centre.
Chadwick model management director Matthew Anderson says Hart was at the shopping centre with her aunt and Chadwick was running the competition there on that day.
“We saw her on a break and told her she should enter, which she had no intention to do, and actually didn’t want to do. Her aunt told her they weren’t going to leave until Jess complied — so she entered and, yes, went on to win it,” he says.
Hart says the rapid rise of social media has become a blessing and a curse, a great way to promote her brand and causes she cares about, but a potential intrusion into her guarded private life.
“When I first started my career social media didn’t exist, you built your profile with your agent from long-term planning, which involved lots of travel and face-to-face networking,’ she says.
“Now me and my team need to find that common balance between promotion and privacy. I still find this difficult at times — brands will book you based on your social media reach. I feel fortunate that I was able to build a name for myself before social media was such a factor.”
She concedes it can be hard finding the balance between creating a compelling social media presence by sharing insights into her personal life, while still maintaining a level of privacy.
“I’ve always been reasonably private. I don’t encourage interest in my personal life. In this age of social media and constant digital news I have worked hard to only put out what I want to share,” she says. “I don’t go overboard with daily posts and stories documenting my every moment. I understand the appeal and celebrate those who feel comfortable to do so; for me, I guess
I started my career before this new age and therefore didn’t grow up with it.”
Hart has been the focus of unwanted attention following her high-profile split with billionaire Greek heir Stavros Niarchos III last year after seven years together.
While she’s reluctant to talk about the breakup she says her close family and friends have been a great support.
“Maintaining a close support network is important to me. The people who surround me are my community; we share our lives together, celebrate and support one another. For me that is the most important thing regardless of what is going on around me,” she says.
Hart is particularly close to her sister, fellow model Ash Hart, who lives in Los Angeles.
“I wish she was a bit closer. She loves LA. It’s so funny, it’s definitely the difference between her and I, New York and LA. I’m city oriented, she’s beach oriented. But we’re a good support system for each other in life’s every aspect.”
Hart is also close to her mum, Rae, who lives in a home Hart bought for her in Melbourne.
“I bought a house essentially for her five years ago, so when I go back that feels like home,” she says.
“We grew up really not with an abundance of things. We had an abundance of love but we were not by any means well off. Mum worked two jobs to bring us up, so when I could give us a home, a family home, it definitely made it all worth leaving home at 15.”
She counts herself lucky not to have encountered any inappropriate behaviour despite travelling overseas to pursue her modelling career at such a young age.
“I’ve never been in a place where I’m uncomfortable. I was living in London and Paris at 15 and 16 and I’ve never had an issue. I’ve shot with most of the people who are apparently in this movement and I’ve never had that kind of thing.”
Hart is excited to be returning to Melbourne as a special guest at the Stella Artois Caulfield Cup next Saturday.
“I cannot wait, I’m so looking forward to being home. I haven’t been to the races in Australia for so long. It really is our thing, we have this special vibe at the races,” she says.
“I love my life abroad — the US very much feels like home now — but coming back to Melbourne feels natural and warming. There’s a smell to Australia, the minute you walk off the plane it’s intoxicating. It’s probably the air quality, which would make a lot of sense.”
She loves dressing up for the races and likes to inject her own personality into her trackside trends. “I’ve always been somewhat of a tomboy and I like to mix that style in at the races,” she says.
Enjoying her favourite food is one of her highlights of returning home, but she may have to look for some alternatives this trip after recently becoming vegan.
“Usually I love meat pies but I’ve decided to go vegan as of recently so that may be a bit interesting,” she says.
“I’m just trying to try new things lately. A lot of what is going on in my life at the moment is about trying new things and meeting new people and new experiences and doing things that challenge myself.”
JESS HART WILL BE A SPECIAL GUEST OF THE 2018 STELLA ARTOIS CAULFIELD CUP CARNIVAL, ATTENDING ON STELLA ARTOIS CAULFIELD CUP DAY NEXT SATURDAY, OCTOBER 20
RELATED CONTENT
‘Angels’: Hero Coles workers save mum’s life
A mother of three has opened up on how her life was saved after she suddenly collapsed while doing a routine supermarket shop.
Wildlife and traffic fears over music festival
Wildlife advocates fear a weekend music festival in central Victoria will endanger native animals including rescued joeys.