Jenny Lynn Shimizu (born June 16, 1967) is an American[2] model and actress.
Jenny Shimizu | |
|---|---|
 Shimizu in 2006 | |
| Born | June 16, 1967 San Jose, California, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Model, actress |
| Spouse |
Michelle Harper (m. 2014) |
| Modeling information | |
| Height | 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)[1] |
| Hair color | Black |
| Eye color | Black |
Early life
editShimizu was born in San Jose, California, and raised in Santa Maria.[3]
Career
editWhile working as a mechanic,[2][4][3] Shimizu was approached to model for the Calvin Klein CK1 fragrance ads and model Calvin Klein fashions. She later was featured in the Banana Republic "American Beauty" campaign.
She became the first Asian model to walk for the highly influential catwalk Prada and also became the first minority model to open the show.[5]
Shimizu was one of the stars of Foxfire, alongside Angelina Jolie. She also had a supporting role in Jamie Babbit's 2007 film Itty Bitty Titty Committee.[6] Shimizu appeared in the third season of the Here TV original series Dante's Cove.[7]
In 2005, Shimizu appeared as a special guest on Tyra Banks's reality show America's Next Top Model.[8] She appeared in season two of Bravo TV's Make Me a Supermodel as a member of the judging panel.[8][9]
In 2019, Shimizu appeared in the acclaimed documentary House of Cardin, discussing the ground breaking Pierre Cardin model, Hiroko Matsumoto. [10]
Personal life
editIn the mid-1990s, Shimizu had a romantic relationship with Angelina Jolie, which Jolie confirmed in a 1997 interview when she said, "I fell in love with her the first second I saw her. I would probably have married Jenny if I hadn't married my husband (Jonny Lee Miller)."[11] During that same decade, she also had a romantic relationship with Madonna, which she later recalled by saying "You'd get a phone call like, 'Hey can you meet me at my Paris show. You're in Europe right?' So I'd be like, 'Yeah, I'm just finishing Prada. Right after Prada I'll catch a plane over.' And I would. I'd go over to her hotel, to the Ritz, at like 4 in the morning, have sex, and then fly back to Milan."[12]
In 2005, to protest against America's laws on gay marriage, Shimizu took part in a staged wedding ceremony with Rebecca Loos on the Sky documentary Power Lesbian UK (broadcast as Power Lesbians on LOGO in the U.S.).[13] The two had a relationship for a period thereafter.
In 2012, Shimizu met Michelle Harper at a party.[14] They married in August 2014.[15]
References
edit- ^ "Jenny Shimizu". Fashion Model Directory. Retrieved September 5, 2014.
- ^ a b Fitzharris, Dustin (November 9, 2010). "Where Are They Now: Jenny Shimizu". Out Magazine. Retrieved September 5, 2014.
- ^ a b Halperin, Ian (2001). Bad and Beautiful: Inside the Dazzling and Deadly World of Supermodels. New York: Citadel Press. ISBN 978-0806523101. OCLC 50639023.
- ^ Hargroder, Megan (December 14, 2010). "An interview with Jenny Shimizu". AfterEllen.com. Retrieved September 5, 2014.
- ^ "SS 1994 Womenswear". Archived from the original on October 23, 2018. Retrieved June 29, 2016.
- ^ Kregloe, Karman (May 29, 2007). "Review of Itty Bitty Titty Committee". AfterEllen.com. Retrieved May 8, 2012.
- ^ Keiser, Yuki (April 2008). "Fashion & Dyke Icon Jenny Shimizu – Modeling Years". TokyoWrestling.com. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved September 5, 2014.
- ^ a b Caramanica, Jon (March 1, 2009). "It's a face-off: 'America's Next Top Model' and 'Make Me a Supermodel' – 'ANTM' gives lip service to uniqueness, while 'MMAS' holds out edgier hope". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 5, 2014.
- ^ Andy Dehnart (January 7, 2009). "Niki Taylor, Judges Dropped from Season 2 of MMAS". Realityblurred.com. Retrieved September 5, 2014.
- ^ Jude Dry (October 31, 2019). "'House of Cardin' Trailer: Sharon Stone and Naomi Campbell Praise Avant-Garde Fashion Icon". indiewire.com. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
- ^ Anderson, Diane (December 1997). "'Tis the Season to Be Jolie". Girlfriends. Retrieved September 5, 2014.
- ^ "Madonna's Ex Jenny Shimizu Felt 'Like a High Class Hooker' While Dating the Singer: 'So Crazy and Fun'". Peoplemag. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
- ^ Czyzselka, Jane (November 2005). "Jenny Shimizu & Rebecca Loos: what's the story?". Diva. Archived from the original on September 6, 2014. Retrieved November 16, 2007.
- ^ Trebay, Guy (March 6, 2013). "Michelle Harper, a Woman of Mystery". New York Times. Retrieved September 5, 2014.
- ^ Kosin, Julie (September 2, 2014). "Fashion's Favorite Risk-Taker Weds in Vintage Rochas – Michelle Harper married her girlfriend in an Olivier Theysken-designed gown". Harper's Bazaar. Retrieved September 5, 2014.
