Kerry McGregor

Izimvo is delighted to introduce South African Supermodel: Kerry McGregor.

One of South Africa’s most successful and popular supermodels, Kerry McGregor is a name synonymous with the South African fashion industry. Discovered at only 16, Kerry has appeared on many local and international magazine covers including Cosmopolitan, GQ, Sports Illustrated and FHM. Voted FHM’s sexiest, Kerry was also the face of Wonderbra for over 5 years.

Today, Kerry is married to South African cricketer, Neil McKenzie, and spends her time balancing being a successful model and a mom.

Website: http://www.kerrymcgregor.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/kerrymcgregor
Location: England

Kerry was kind enough to answer the following questions:

Personal

Q: How would you like to be introduced to a group of people who may not be familiar with your work?

A: Oh God, are you kidding? That can happen everyday!! To be honest, it makes the meeting less intimidating (for me) and honest!

Q: Tell us something that not many others know about you. This could be anything from a phobia to your favorite movie.

A: I don’t like birds! Really! They freak me out!

Q: What do you enjoy doing when you want to get away from it all?

A: A good movie!! Preferably at the cinema but I don’t get too much time to do that so a dvd at home always removes me from reality! Otherwise, my iPod and a bath!

Q: How would you describe your dream holiday home and where in South African would you like it to be?

A: Oh my word, this could be a long answer!! Short version: Cape Town (it’s where I grew up and my family’s all there) and it would look very similar to the house on the movie “The Holiday”!!

Modelling in South Africa

Q: Which of your many career milestones are you most proud of?

A: Wow, umm, I would say doing Sports Illustrated and being the face of Wonderbra for 5 years…

Q: Your modeling career started at the young age of 15 and you left South Africa for Paris at only 16. What advice would you offer girls who are starting out in the industry?

A: Oh man, just remember to stand up for yourself and you don’t have to do anything you aren’t 100% comfortable with – believe me! And don’t take rejection personally!! It’s just a look they want, it’s no reflection on your personality (which is really the important part, isn’t it!)

Q: Can you give us an insight into the daily life of an international model? Is it really as glamorous as it seems?

A: No, it aint! Usual day in season can see a wake up call as early as 3:30/4am and finish after sunset for days on end! Lots of airports, planes and hotels – after a while can get exhausting!

Q: Which young South African models have recently impressed you the most and who would you consider as South Africa’s greatest fashion export?

A: SA has tremendous talent (as I’m sure you all know) but I would say Candice Swanepoel (done Victoria’s secret) and Candice Boucher (who recently shot Playboy)…

Q: If you had to select only one of your many covers to represent your body of work, which would you pick and why?

A: Crikey! I would say one of my earlier FHM covers with the African story (I wore skins) and it was chosen by FHM internationally as their favourite SA cover a few years back!

Q: Do you have any health and fitness secrets?

A: At the moment?! NO! Haha! I would say everyone’s different. At the gym its important for me to do cardio and light weight training but to mix it up a little. Don’t let your body get used to any 1 exercise! Drink loads of water and always take your make up off before you go to bed (no matter how late it is ;))

Life in South Africa

Q: While living in England and traveling internationally, what do you miss most about life in South Africa?

A: My family, friends, freezo’s and the sun!!

Q: When asked internationally about crime in South Africa, how do you respond?

A: I try answer as honestly as possible really! I speak purely from how I feel living there and not a general consensus – and no, it’s not always positive unfortunately!

Q: With less than 50 days to the first African Soccer World Cup, what advice would you offer to first-time visitors looking for the ultimate South African experience?

A: If they have the time they should do a game drive in the Kruger Park, spend a day or 2 in the winelands and take a drive up the garden route and west coast! I could go on and on!

Q: If you were tasked with selecting the face of South Africa, who would you pick and why?

A: I would say without a doubt – Madiba!!! Surely that answer speaks for itself!

General

Q: What was it about modeling that first attracted you and if you had not become a model, which career path do you think you would’ve selected?

A: The travelling and the money! If I hadn’t taken the step into modelling I really don’t know what path my life may have taken! I was young when I started so by he time I finished school and would’ve made a career choice I was already fully set up in the industry. When I was a lot younger I wanted to be a zoologist though!

Q: If you could invite any three personalities from the fashion industry to dinner, who would you invite and what would your topic of discussion be?

A: Heidi Klum, Roberto Cavalli and my sister Tracy! Heidi for the reason she’s built and empire, had 4 kids and still looks fabulous! Roberto Cavalli for his designs and my sister for the laughs and tequila! We’d get greased and talk about cricket! Hahaha!

Q: Your husband, Neil, has recently confirmed that he will be playing cricket for the Lions in the near future. What about living in Johannesburg are you most looking forward to and do you think the move will be a permanent one?

A: I’ve been living in JHB for the last 7+ years and plan on staying there for another couple of years and then maybe making our way to Cape Town for a while! Be great for the kiddies!!

Q: Who would you most like to read about on Izimvo and what would you ask them?

A: Ryk Neethling and I’d ask him where he does his gym! ;)

We’d like to thank Kerry for taking the time to answer our questions and wish her and Neil every success for the future.

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