Model of the Week: Milla Jovovich

Milla Jovovich is probably best known to you as the zombie slaying babe in the Resident Evil movies, or the title character in The Fifth Element. She won some acclaim (and a few boos)  for her portrayal of Joan of Arc.  She’s also recorded an album and designs a line of clothing. She’s something of a style icon as well. Before all that, she got her start modeling, beginning at 13 with some Brooke-Shieldsian magazine covers. She’s been the face of Donna Karan, L’Oreal, Versus, Calvin Klein, Chanel, Armani, Gap, Revlon, and dozens of others. As you can see below, as a model she is magnetic and wildly versatile. She’s had an outstandingly long modeling career, and in the world of fashion she’s much more celebrated than she is as an actress. She’s really a Renaissance woman who uses the commercial success of the Resident Evil movies and makeup contracts to pursue a wide range of interests.

Be My Number Two

Joe Jackson, jazz phase. Very pretty song. Be My Number Two, so romantic.

China

I know I’ve said some bad things about poor Tori Amos in the past. She’s a borderline feminazi, she can be kind of whiny, and she seems to enjoy rubbing our faces in her own unhappiness. But, you know what? She has red hair. I like red hair. Ergo, I like Tori. It’s more than just that, though. She writes songs I can relate to. She does make people uncomfortable because her songs are so incredibly intimate. I can’t take too much of her, because it’s wearying to listen to her bang her piano and wail about her feelings. She’s one of those artists who are good company for when you’re depressed, because they’re even more depressed than you are. I love her first album Little Earthquakes. I’ve read a lot of critics who either praised or derided it for emulating Kate Bush. I’ve never listened to Kate Bush, so whatever. I like it; it’s quirky, it’s simple and it’s like a beautifully drawn map that shows exactly what it feels like for a woman. Tori’s songs are very, very female. Undoubtedly, that’s the reason most men find her so off-putting. It’s very unpleasant to be so excluded from the target audience. I, however, am in the target audience, and I find the thoughts and feelings in Tori’s songs understandable. That’s both appealing and depressing somehow.