Star Magazine
June 2001
Ian Somerhalder
From modelling, to TV, to movies - there's no stopping Hamilton from
Young Americans
Ian Somerhalder works it for our camera like a true pro, naturally falling into
fantastic poses in our suite at LA's Argyle Hotel. But it's hardly a surprise
he's such a photographer's dream: the actor - with
the most
piercing blue eyes ever
- is an ex-international model. We're talking Gucci, Versace, Guess? and Levi's
here - major
gigs. "Modelling was something I fell into as a kid," he explains. "It was a
way of making pocket money, as I didn't really fancy mowing lawns all summer."
LA-born Somerhalder soon found himself strutting down the world's hottest
catwalks. But, despite the modelling contracts rolling in, the fashion world
soon lost its glamour for Ian, who jetted back to the USA to study acting in New
York.
Since then, the 22-year-old's career has sky-rocketed. A small role in indie
flick Black and White
led to him landing the role of gender-confused Hamilton in Channel 5's hit teen
drama Young Americans
and now it seems there just ain't no stopping him, as Star found out.
Star: Do you
prefer living in LA to New York?
Ian:
I love LA for the quality of life. The weather's
great and I have a good sized house rather than a small apartment. My
girlfriend, Sarah, lives in New York, so I do still get to spend a fair amount
of time there, too. It's hard with us being so far apart, but we're determined
to make it work.
Star: How did you
two meet?
Ian:
One of my friends lived in the loft beneath hers. I was absolutely in awe of
her at first and it took a good four months for me to convince her to come out
to LA. We rented a big house on a lake and just fell in love. It's my very own
fairy tale.