Miranda Kerr

Miranda May Kerr (born April 20, 1983 or 1985 Daily Telegraph says she turned 14 after winning the 1997 Dolly/Impulse content. Her official site, MirandaKerr.net, gives 1985 as the year of birth. Accessed 2008-01-05.) is an Australian model, best known as one of the Victoria's Secret Angels (the first Australian addition to the Victoria's Secret campaign), and as the face of Australian fashion chain Portmans. Kerr rose to prominence in the late 90's within the fashion industry after winning an Australian nation-wide model search hosted by Dolly Magazine and Impulse fragrances and has found continued success globally.

Biography

Early life and family

Kerr was born in Sydney but raised in Gunnedah, New South Wales a small rural town to Therese and John Kerr. She has a younger brother named Matthew. During her childhood, Kerr revealed she "raced motorbikes and rode horses on my grandmother’s farm" and describes her early life in the Australian countryside as "very grounding ... there wasn’t any pretentiousness and no one really cared what you were wearing. You could just be you."

Education

Kerr graduated from All Hallows' School and planned to study nutrition before pursuing modeling.

Career

Early career

At thirteen, Kerr entered and won the 1997 annual Dolly Magazine/Impulse Model Competition and was flown to Sydney a week before her fourteenth birthday to shoot for the magazine. Upon winning, local media expressed 'concerned outrage' at her young age and rose concern about the glorification of young girls within the entertainment industry, suggesting her youthful covers in skimpy attire constituted soft-core pornography.

Public image

Reception

Kerr is dubbed "the next MacPherson" and generates a high volume of interest in both the Australasian, European and American markets. Kerr's model trademark are her dimples. Celebrity photographer Russel James said of Kerr, "The US has fallen in love with her. We love her because she has the most incredible girl-next-door look and she’s also insanely beautiful. It means women are not intimidated by her looks and guys think they might be able to talk to her. It’s a fantastic combination ... people want to be around her; she’s fun on a shoot ... and she’s not stupid, which can be a very annoying trait among some models." Model agent Ursula Hufnagl described Kerr as "the perfect endorsement", citing her ability to "truly sell a product."

Charity

Kerr's charitable work includes Wildlife Warriors Worldwide and Children International.

Personal life

In 2003, Kerr began dating finance broker Adrian Camilleri. Following an Australian Securities and Investments Commission investigation, Camilleri was found guilty on five counts of fraudulent behavior spanning between February 2003 to February 2004 and Kerr subsequently dissolved the relationship. Reports claim Kerr suffered financially "after taking her boyfriend's financial advice" but chose not to take legal action.
In 2005, Kerr began dating Australian musician and model Jay G Lyon and played the love interest in a music video for Lyon's band Tamarama. They lived together in Kerr's New York apartment for two years. The couple ended their relationship in mid 2007 after spending three years together. During the relationship, tabloids suggested Kerr had been unfaithful and printed social pictures taken of Kerr and actor Orlando Bloom and claimed her relationship with Lyon was "in trouble." Tabloids later speculated that Kerr was also being pursued by actor Steven Dorff and a wealthy New York based lawyer who showered her with expensive gifts after meeting her at a social function. During 2006 and early 2007, speculations escalated and the media claimed Kerr and Lyon had split as a direct result of Bloom. However, Kerr maintains that the two are just friends.
Kerr is a recent Buddhist convert. Kerr practices Nichiren Buddhism - a Japanese branch of the Buddhist religion - and believes "we have a responsibility to bring peace and harmony to our lives and the world." As part of her Nichiren beliefs, Kerr chants every morning and night for 20 minutes, practises yoga, meditates and reads widely on spirituality.
In late 2007, Kerr revealed her "distaste" for American socialite Paris Hilton claiming Hilton had previously stolen one of Kerr's designated runway ensembles minutes before a Heatherette fashion show. Though the argument received international media attention and was depicted as Kerr and Hilton's first argument, sources revealed both women had previously clashed following Kerr's social friendships with Hilton's previous fiance, Paris Latsis and Hilton's close friend oil-heir Brandon Davis. Published reports documented several encounters between Hilton and Kerr (including a one-time run in at Hollywood restaurant Mr. Chow's; whilst Kerr dined with a friend, Hilton asked a member of her to escort Kerr outside when she Hilton arrived, however Mr. Chow's staff did not oblige Hilton's request) and suspect Hilton's jealousy is catalyst.
According to a Victoria's Secret profile on Kerr, posted on the CBS YouTube page, Kerr's described her take on life as "enjoying wherever it is am and trying to be in the moment as much as possible.