Happy Birthday Emily Ratajkowski

Born: Emily O’Hara Ratajkowski
June 7, 1991 in London, England, UK

QUOTES:

Because of my name and my look, it’s sometimes: ‘Wow, I expected broken English or a British accent.’

The attention from the fashion world is something that I didn’t expect. I’ve shot with Bruce Weber and met Karl Lagerfeld. Having that kind of attention is really exciting.

Nudity isn’t something people should take offense to.

I’m a complete foodie, but I’m a terrible cook. If a guy can get me in the kitchen and we actually have fun cooking, that’s amazing.

I was real into theater, and then I tried soccer, acting and ballet. Both my parents didn’t want a child-star model, so I didn’t get into modeling until I was 14.

I’m more of a Smithwick’s or Bulmer’s girl than a pint of Guinness.
I absolutely love Ireland. It’s one of the most beautiful places on Earth, and I have strong ties here. Both my grandmothers are from Ireland, and I have spent every summer in Bantry since my father, who is an artist, had the romantic idea 20 years ago to buy an old farmhouse on the west coast and renovate it.

I’m a big fan of the Irish accent. After a couple of drinks, I start to get a bit of an Irish lilt, too.

I started modeling when I was – not older, but not 12. I have a mom who’s a feminist – she’s an English professor, an intellectual. She really gave me the equipment to understand that you can celebrate yourself without putting yourself down or needing to apologize for the way you look. I think that attitude is really crucial for a model.