Andrulla Blanchette (born Androulla Veronica Blanchette; 29 July 1966[2]) is an English professional female bodybuilder.[1]
Bodybuilding career
Amateur career
After Andrulla's judo sessions, she would go to a little room in the small community center with a few weights where she would play around with. A male powerlifter saw potential in her strength and how easily she lifted heavy weights. They became friends and workout partners. In a few weeks, he had her deadlifting 200 lb (14 st; 91 kg) for reps. At her gym, a lot of men and one female were entering bodybuilding competitions. They talked her into entering the Miss London Championships with only a week’s notice. She learned some poses the day before and won. While there was 15 women in it who trained for several years, she had more muscle.[4][1] She obtained her IFBB pro card at the World Games (Netherlands) in 1993. Andrulla is Black Belt First Dan in Judo.[1] From 1986 to 2000, her couch and mentor was her boyfriend, British professional bodybuilder Ian Dowe.[5][4]
Professional career
In 1996, Andrulla was named Women's Physique World's European Bodybuilder of the Year. She won the Ms. Olympia lightweight title in 2000, and just missed retaining the title the following year. When asked about drugs, she said, "People aren't stupid, they know what's going on, and I'm not going to insult them with a fib."[6] In 2002, Blanchette was scheduled to compete Ms. International, but was disqualified on Thursday night for not signing a contract to compete.[1][7]
Legacy
Currently, she is the most successful female British bodybuilder in the world, by being the only British bodybuilder to win the Ms. Olympia.[1]
She lives in Cyprus. She is currently an artist, photographer, design worker, chess-player, and personal trainer who owns her own gym in London. She is a Christian.[1][7][15][16]
Television appearance
Andrulla has been featured in many UK television shows during her bodybuilding career. In 2002, Blanchette starred on the TV show Lexx, in the episode "Viva Lexx Vegas", as "Queen of Sheba".[17]
Motion picture appearance
In 2003, Blanchette starred in the film, The Interplanetary Surplus Male and Amazon Women of Outer Space, as an Amazon.[17]
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