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Wednesday, December 2, 2009

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From Allure: Victoria Beckham says she's "low maintenance" and "ordinary." Huh.

Photo by Michael Thompson

Photo by Michael Thompson

A few years ago I was randomly called by a British morning TV show and asked to appear, via satellite, and talk about Victoria and David Beckham's move to the U.S. "Would they make it in America?" the hosts wanted to know. "Would the American audience embrace them as celebrities? Would anyone even care?"

My answer was an unequivocal "No." My reasoning was that while David was/is super hot, his wife was too sour and unapproachable and snooty-seeming to be in any way likable. I went on to explain that in this country we enjoy smiling, happy, warm celebrities—people we feel could be our friend. No way, no how were we were going accept the gloomy, uppity Ms. Posh Spice.

But now, honestly, I think I was wrong (sorry British TV!).

Victoria Beckham is on the August cover of Allure (on newsstands everywhere next week), and while I do not for a second believe she is as "low-maintenance" or "ordinary" as she claims in the inside story, the mere fact that she's on the cover proves that in the past couple of years, the Brit pop star has been methodically weaseling her way into America's collective celebrity-lovin' heart. Part of this is because, like so many before her—Anna Nichole, Paris Hilton, Anyone from The Hills—she's forced herself upon us. She's shown up everywhere—insinuating herself into our tabloids, our fashion shows, our clothing stores, on our reality TV. I mean, in the face of such desperate-to-be-famous perseverance, how long could we possibly resist?
So, British morning television show, it's four years later and I would like to revise my opinion: I do not think Americans will ever love Victoria Beckham. But she will make it here, because honestly, we've seen much worse.
Below, a few snippets from the interview (And, to check out Allure's actually really beautiful behind-the-scenes photos, click on this sentence.):

Allure: How did you come up with your signature look?
VB: I kind of created this character at the beginning of the Spice Girls. I
didn't smile very much; it was quite pouty. I was famous for wearing a
little black Gucci dress. [Except] it wasn't a little black Gucci dress. It
was incredibly cheap. I just accessorized it well and had the pose that went with it. And it stuck.

Allure: How long does it take (to get ready)?
VB: Not long at all. I mean, if I'm going to an event, it takes me about an
hour and a half to put my hair up and have some makeup put on. I'm quite low maintenance. I don't have a stylist. I deal with that side of things myself. If I need accessories, I'll go get them.

Allure: You do have new fragrances coming out next month: Signature for Him
and Signature for Her. How was that process?
VB: I've been working closely with Coty on the fragrances for more than four
years. I go to the factory, and design the label, design the bottles. I
work with the perfumers on the correct smell. I'm really hands -on as a
creative director.

Allure: How do you define your style?
VB: I think I have a very European sense of style. I'd say it's relatively
simple. I like good shape. I like things that are structured, things that
are timeless. You'll very rarely see me in something that is very obvious
and very patterned. I never like to challenge my body shape.

Allure: What challenges your shape?
VB: I never want anything that juts out over my boobs, because from the side
I'll probably look nine months pregnant. If I'm wearing something that's
plunging, I don't want [the hem to be] short. I like to leave a little to
the imagination. Don't have all your legs out and all your boobs out.
Cover something up.


Allure: It's been said that there's a fine line between fashion devotee and
fashion victim. Have you ever crossed it?
VB: No, I wouldn't say that I'm a fashion victim at all. A fashion victim
would have that must-have dress, would have that must-have handbag. If I'm
going to buy a new handbag, I'll buy a vintage Hermes bag, which I will use
time after time after time after time. Yes, I can afford to go and buy lots
of clothes now, but I don't waste money. I want to buy things and get my
wear out of them.

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From the Community…

Comments 11-20 of 74
  • grurplecloud6's Avatar
    Posted by grurplecloud6 Wed Jul 16, 2008 3:51pm PDT

    she has such a high opinion of herself...she talks as if she were some kind fashion expert!

    Report Abuse
  • Sharifah's Avatar
    Posted by Sharifah Wed Jul 16, 2008 5:16pm PDT

    who cares! you and husband is never popular in England anymore. Here we're in US talk a lot about them.

    Report Abuse
  • amc's Avatar
    Posted by amc Wed Jul 16, 2008 5:17pm PDT

    I think she is as normal as a woman who is married to a beautiful soccer player and lives in LA with tons of money can be. She shows up in tabloids because she walks around with her sons and husband. If you don't like her, you should read her book, she is extremely funny and seems like a really nice person.

    But then again, she is my fashion inspiration. I've learned so much from her book its unbelievable.

    Report Abuse
  • Beth's Avatar
    Posted by Beth Wed Jul 16, 2008 5:36pm PDT

    It's so funny that the most high-maintenance celebrity there is would claim to be low-maintenance. LOL

    Report Abuse
  • Shoes&Bags's Avatar
    Posted by Shoes&Bags Wed Jul 16, 2008 6:17pm PDT

    i love victoria.. i think she's classy and yet she has a big heart.. GOd bless you and your family always! Stay together forever please! We need examples now!!

    Report Abuse
  • jf's Avatar
    Posted by jf Wed Jul 16, 2008 11:17pm PDT

    Americans don't understand the meaning of the "smile". We smile all the time, English people smile when they have fun, or something funny occurs. There is a reason for them to smile! Not a Pathetic American Smile.

    If she doesn't smile all the time, she shows that she is grown up, not a silly American woman.

    People who say that she is mean, or skinny, and so on, are just jealous! Tha't i t.

    I am not 100% for her, but I am far of being against her. Honestly, I think she is a sexy mother, who has a very good family. Plus, she is a strong woman.

    We, American woman, should learn from her, rather than making jokes from jealousy!

    Report Abuse
  • Simply J's Avatar
    Posted by Simply J Thu Jul 17, 2008 12:17am PDT

    Love her, great sense of stlye!

    Report Abuse
  • angela's Avatar
    Posted by angela Thu Jul 17, 2008 3:03am PDT

    lol!

    Report Abuse
  • Teena's Avatar
    Posted by Teena Thu Jul 17, 2008 3:49am PDT

    She definitely kept to her "posh" image and carry it quite well. She's obviously in a better time now than when she's with the Spice Girls-- slowly but surely becoming an icon. With a star footballer for a husband, the US celebrity-addict crowd will be watching them for a long time.

    Report Abuse
  • kristina's Avatar
    Posted by kristina Thu Jul 17, 2008 5:55am PDT

    um, does it really matter if she smiles?

    i don't understand why people have so much time to CARE about silly little things like this.

    do people not have their own lives anymore?

    Report Abuse
Comments 11-20 of 74

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