Jenny Shimizu
Shimizu at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival
Born (1967-06-16) June 16, 1967 (age 56)
San Jose, California, U.S.
Occupation(s)Model, actress
Spouse
Michelle Harper
​
(m. 2014)​
Modeling information
Height5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)[1]
Hair colorBlack
Eye colorBlack

Jenny Lynn Shimizu (born June 16, 1967) is an American[2] model and actress.

Early life

Shimizu was born in San Jose, California, and raised in Santa Maria.[3]

Career

While 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 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

In 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 [first] husband (Jonny Lee Miller)."[11]

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.).[12] The two had a relationship for a period thereafter.

In 2012, Shimizu met Michelle Harper at a party.[13] They married in August 2014.[14]

References

  1. ^ "Jenny Shimizu". Fashion Model Directory. Retrieved September 5, 2014.
  2. ^ a b Fitzharris, Dustin (November 9, 2010). "Where Are They Now: Jenny Shimizu". Out Magazine. Retrieved September 5, 2014.
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ Hargroder, Megan (December 14, 2010). "An interview with Jenny Shimizu". AfterEllen.com. Retrieved September 5, 2014.
  5. ^ "SS 1994 Womenswear". Archived from the original on October 23, 2018. Retrieved June 29, 2016.
  6. ^ Kregloe, Karman (May 29, 2007). "Review of Itty Bitty Titty Committee". AfterEllen.com. Retrieved May 8, 2012.
  7. ^ 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.
  8. ^ 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.
  9. ^ Andy Dehnart (January 7, 2009). "Niki Taylor, Judges Dropped from Season 2 of MMAS". Realityblurred.com. Retrieved September 5, 2014.
  10. ^ 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.
  11. ^ Anderson, Diane (December 1997). "'Tis the Season to Be Jolie". Girlfriends. Retrieved September 5, 2014.
  12. ^ 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.
  13. ^ Trebay, Guy (March 6, 2013). "Michelle Harper, a Woman of Mystery". New York Times. Retrieved September 5, 2014.
  14. ^ 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.

External links

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