Jenny Shimizu has modelled for fashion designers, including Jean-Paul Gauthier, Calvin Klein, Anna Sui, and Gianni Versace. However, the Asian supermodel turned actress/presenter is taking some time out to help us with g3’s hottest competition to find a model, Role Model. Jenny, who has previously been linked with Madonna, Angelina Jolie, Guinevere Turner and more recently Rebecca Loos, tells us what it’s like being a model and hanging out with A-list celebs.

g3: How are lesbian stereotypes over in LA?

JS: Here it’s not such a big deal, we’re experiencing like a queer renaissance. We have a great deal of queer networks here now with gay shows on cable. I went in and did America’s Next Top Model because there were actually three lesbians on the show. Two were closeted, but Kim was out. It’s definitely now become like almost every television show has a gay character in it now. We’ve come a long way.

g3: Do you think it’s still hard for people in the public eye to come out?

JS: Yeah I do think it is once you reach a certain level, especially if you’ve been in television for ten years or so and you’ve won an Emmy.

g3: There has been a lot of media attention surrounding female celebrities from the US who snog other women for publicity. What do you think when you hear about stars who do that?

JS: I always feel that anything that’s out there in the media, whether it’s Paris Hilton kissing another girl, is fine with me because people like her are so popular. If it makes people watching in Tennessee go, ‘Hey well Paris Hilton’s gay’ then that’s great. I wouldn’t date her, but I don’t mind stuff like that.

g3: There is an ever-increasing media attention directed towards lesbians, particularly with shows like the L word. Do you watch the show?

JS: I’ve watched the last four episodes. I actually saw them when I was in London.

g3: Do you think the show has broadly affected people’s perceptions of lesbians and their lifestyles?

JS: I think the L Word has hit such a mainstream audience, I know so many straight women and men that watch that show as well as lesbians. It shows a classy kind of women on the show, and it is very flashy but it’s television. It’s not indicative of every group of lesbians out here in LA or even in America, but I do think that kind of exposure really benefits the gay community.

g3: You have mentioned the lesbian community in LA is in the throng of a renaissance. Do you think lesbianism is becoming a fad?

JS: I think lesbianism has always been popular because it’s erotic and titillating. I think it’s always going to be. I think any woman who’s slept with another woman is scoring extra points for herself. I mean, it makes her way more enticing for a man. I think it’s always going to be erotic and in that sense it’s always going to be acceptable.

g3: What advice would you give to contestants entering the Role Model competition on how to be a top model.

JS: You really need to be true to your personality. There are a billion beautiful women that can model, but to be a really great model your personality must come through on camera. Sometimes, the things that you think are strange about yourself are the things that propel you to the top.

g3: Is modelling a hard job? What kind of characteristics do you need to overcome the trails and tribulations of the occupation?

JS: One of the most difficult tasks was remembering that modelling is a job. I took a lot of things quite personally and it’s really not a good thing to do. It’s a business. If someone doesn’t want you it’s not about you personally, it’s because you’re not the right look. It’s really hard for girls because there’s a lot of rejection. You have to be confident and sure of yourself, and know what you’re getting into. It’s about the outer shell, rather than the inner shell.

g3: Do you think modelling has changed you?

JS: Yeah, modelling encourages you to consider your self image in more ways than aesthetically. It also gave me opportunities to travel and meet all kinds of exciting people. I can see why some people say it’s an easy job, but it’s very difficult sometimes. It can eat away at you. I think you need to be positive to start with.

g3: Did you always want to be a model?

JS: No I never though I’d do it, in fact when I was little my mother used to call me ‘funny face!’ I suppose everyone thought I was a little boy. One day I got a call to go and meet Calvin Klein and they told me I was going to New York. Within a week I did the Calvin Klein show in LA and then a show in New York. I ended up staying there for about four years.

g3: There aren’t many visible lesbians in society at the moment, we’re always looking for public figures to be out and proud. When you started out, was it less commonplace to see lesbians in the public eye?

JS: Yes it was a new thing. When I started out, I think it was maybe five in the morning and I was in New York with my friend. She’d just come back from a trip and she said ‘I gotta take you to Times Square!’ I was in my pyjamas and there was a big billboard picture of me in black and white. It was me - the ‘American beauty’. You always think of the blonde and blue-eyed ideal, so to see me with short hair and tattoos up there – it’s one of the best memories I’ve had.

g3: How did that feel?

JS: It didn’t scare me. I just thought ‘wow’. I didn’t know how it was gonna turn out. It was bigger than I ever imagined. Almost like I had some acceptance of myself right then. It’s sad to say you need a billboard in Times Square to accept yourself you know, like the world can see you in a big metropolis like New York.

g3: You’ve had a long career, what have been the highlights?

JS: Erm, I feel like I’ve got to live eight different lives - that’s the highlight in that it’s just shaped me. I always know that if you keep arguing and fighting things will change. Knowing that things actually do change and people change too, does that make sense?

g3: On the more personal front, regarding your relationships with Madonna and Angelina Jolie, could you elaborate?

JS: When I was a little kid I saw Madonna on MTV. Of course I wanted to freak with that lady, I think all the gay girls back in the 80s did. She was exiting, sexy and all that. When I was hanging out with Madonna, it was very exciting. I was travelling a lot, I was in Paris and she’d be in New York. I was running around and it was almost unreal the things that I was beginning to experience. You see someone like that as an icon, and then you get to be with them. She’s a hard-working woman but she’s only a woman - anybody could be in that position depending on the choices you make.

With Angelina too, being able to see the human side was really nice. That’s why I continued to hang out with people like that. We all know their celebrity sides, just read a newspaper on your doorstep. They’re both seriously super-intelligent and super-driven; Angelina had such a vision for humanity. I love hanging out with people who are creative and don’t want to stop, it’s such a high.

g3: So, are you single at the moment?

JS: Lemme see, whenever I say I have someone special it always ends in like a week. But I do, I do. It’s a brand new relationship, I met her four months ago and we’re just trying to take it slowly as it comes. I’m an honorary cranky bastard really!

g3: What do you wear in your private time, are you sick of designer labels?

JS: What labels? Right now, I’m wearing a pair of Levis cords. I really dress down and avoid labels, usually I’m wearing a wife-beater (a vest to you guys!) and a pair of jeans and boots. I always wear the same thing. I feel uncomfortable when I wear expensive clothes. The funny thing is I always gave my girlfriends the clothes they would give me. Once in a while I’ll wear a nice button up shirt if I have to go somewhere special -that’s about it. I’m pretty casual.

g3: What are you up to at the moment then?

JS: I’m executive producing and starring in my own show called Full Throttle with Jenny Shimizu. It’s an adventure celebrity show. For my first show, I raced go-karts with Quentin Tarentino. I always do something that’s physical and fun and hang out with one of my friends in the process. They always happen to be a celebrity, so with Quentin I was like: ‘Hey this is my friend Q and we’re gonna race cars!’ I try to make it as low-key as possible. Then I get all crazy. I really enjoy it! I’m also executive-producing two other shows on development. One is a lesbian show, an hour-long scripted series and the other is a reality documentary episode show about women too. I’m working with a talented writer, and I’m doing everything I can to help her out. She’s amazing and I’m fortunate to work with her.

It’s good for me I feel very focused right now. It’s almost like modelling has shaped me up for a job like this, as it’s really a lot about presenting things and making them look special so people want them and as a model. You have to present yourself in such a way that people want you, and what you’re endorsing.

g3: When will they be televised in the US?

JS: Probably in about three to four months time. I’m not sure when it comes over to the UK.

g3: You’ve been to London quite recently. What did you do over here?

JS: Well I’ve been over a couple of times for work and last time I was there it was to visit Rebecca (Loos, her co-star in Power Lesbians, Sky One). I had a great time. I also hung out with Dawn (Airey) managing director of Sky Networks. Her and her girlfriend are great. I went to their BBQ in London, they’re so much fun, I was the only American there and I drank Earl Grey. They gave me an arm wrestle!

g3: We’ll give you an arm wrestle when you come over here!

JS: OK then, you’re on!

g3: Why do you think Role Model is so important?

JS: Being a lesbian or a bisexual woman is very stereotyped, you’re like a sexual deviant who has sex with everybody, or you’re like a hardcore separatist. I think it’s to show all the media that stereotypes don’t stand.

Role model is groundbreaking and the first of its kind. I think it’s a great endeavour to break down stereotypes. It is a difficult thing to do, especially with stereotypes in the modelling industry. What is beauty anyway? I’m really excited to see what happens, good luck with everything.