When I asked my mother what she would like for Christmas this year (a woman the same age and tastes as Liz Taylor), she pointed to Travis Fimmel in the latest Calvin Klein advert languishing seductively and said “ well he looks like a nice boy ”.
We both giggled and agreed that he does have a certain boyish charm. My mother teasingly closing one eye said, “well… he can have the top of my egg anytime!”.
Travis is the chap that was first plastered all over bill boards across the world in nothing but his undies – a sight that drew gasps and caused traffic chaos.
Just two years ago Travis stepped off a plane in Los Angeles barefoot with only hand baggage with only £35 in his pocket. The Australian struggled to make a living pulling pints until he went to an agency called LA Models. They immediately recognised his potential and took him on barefoot and penniless, they found a flat for him and paid rent in advance, got him a run around car and spending money to get to castings , all to be paid back out of his earnings.
Like so many getting stated in the modelling industry, his first job was not recognisably him, it was a shot of his back as though he was taking a bathroom break, then he got a TV commercial for L’Oreal. So it shows all you male model wannabe’s that it does not all land in your lap straight way, but the little jobs do often lead on to the large contracts.
Travis is long away from the roots of his childhood. His parents he says gave him a wonderful upbringing. He enjoyed the farm lifestyle, helping his two older brothers out after school building fences and milking the cows. In his free time he would go off riding on his dirt bike and after graduating at school he dreamt of playing Australian Rules Football, but a broken leg put paid to that. So he needed money and at his friends suggestion he decided to try modelling and has found great success, although he found it embarrassing at first.
With doors opening in Hollywood and scripts arriving in droves for him, Travis admits that he is unsure if he is ready for the big screen and the public and media scrutiny that follows fame. He is very modest about himself and admits that at this moment in time he is not sure about his next move.
When pressed further about his intentions, he stated, “ I am not even sure if I want to continue with modelling after my contract has ended, I loved my life at home on the farm in Australia, I might just go back home and play some footie.”
