This story was originally published by Glamour Magazine Bulgaria

Personal Background & Early Life

1. You came to the United States at 22 with just \$500. What mindset helped you keep going during those uncertain early years?

Those early years in California weren’t easy, but what kept me going was the kindness of Americans. So many people guided me, offered a helping hand, didn’t judge me, and instead lifted me up. I was deeply inspired by their acts of kindness toward me—a stranger “fresh off the boat.” I immersed myself in their world and society as a whole and learned to enjoy even the tough times.

2. How did your Slovak roots influence your view on beauty, fashion, and success?

I grew up during the ’70s and ’80s behind the Iron Curtain. We would travel to Poland or Hungary to shop for Western merchandise where you could find the latest trends. I started making my own clothes at the age of 11 because I loved fashion, but the fashion in our stores was very basic. Beauty and success felt like distant dreams.

Watching shows like Dallas, I was taught that successful people were often bad people because success was associated with wealth. But when the Iron Curtain fell in 1989 and the ’90s arrived, my curiosity and imagination pushed me to learn more about success—what it takes to achieve it, and why some people stay poor forever.

The same curiosity applied to beauty. In Slovakia, I was often criticized for wearing makeup. But watching women on Western TV shows wear tons of makeup without judgment only made me more curious about life in the West.

3. You’ve been a vegetarian/vegan since you were 18. How has that lifestyle shaped your personal and professional choices over the years?

Growing up, I was a big meat-eater. I went vegetarian at 18 for both health reasons and compassion for animals. At the time, I mostly wanted to test whether a meatless diet could truly sustain human health. I was always fascinated by the digestive system and how the body works.

Today, after being vegetarian/vegan for over 30 years, I know A LOT about plant-based living—and I’m extremely proud of myself for not contributing to animal torture, abuse, exploitation, or murder. Beyond feeling healthy, I believe a vegan diet has made me more receptive, intuitive, sensitive, and empathetic, which helps me make better decisions in every area of my life.

Modeling & Acting Career

4. You were discovered at 26—a later start by industry standards. How do you think starting your career at that age impacted your longevity and perspective?

In California, age is irrelevant in modeling. If you look good and fit the gig, you’re in! I’ve always looked younger, and my type of beauty matched the commercial look that was trending back then.

Starting later gave me a huge advantage because I was a fresh face and hadn’t been overexposed. I often booked jobs over models who had already been in the industry for years. My maturity helped me perform better at auditions and avoid common mistakes. Modeling gave me so much—I met incredible people, and I had so much fun. I’ll always be grateful for that experience. I root for models of all ages.

5. Out of your 60+ magazine covers and numerous commercial campaigns, is there one that still feels like a career milestone to you?

I’ve truly enjoyed most of the jobs I’ve done, but I always remember one of my Coors Light commercials, which we shot in the Mammoth Mountains in California. I got to play a rockstar—that’s my alter ego, so it was amazing!

I also loved being a spokesmodel for Sylvester Stallone’s supplement line, Instone. That was really cool. And I’ll always cherish my first magazine cover for Iron Man Magazine. But honestly, I don’t feel like any one job was a definitive career milestone—the journey as a whole has meant more to me.

6. You played Bob Saget’s girlfriend on Entourage—what was it like working on such an iconic show? Any memorable behind-the-scenes moments?

It’s funny—when you work on a show, you don’t always realize how big it will become. You just show up, do the job, and move on. Then suddenly—BOOM—it becomes the #1 hit in America. That small part in one episode opened a few doors for me. I was even asked to return for another episode, but I had a scheduling conflict. I was under contract with Crown Imports and couldn’t take the role.

Bob Saget was unprepared but sweet. We had to reshoot the scene several times because he hadn’t memorized his lines, but he was fun and great to work with. I remember him being very supportive as an actor.

7. What attracts you to the projects and brands you work with? How do you decide what truly fits your image and values?

If I promote a product, it must be vegan. Projects must be meaningful. At this point in my career, I am a brand, so every collaboration must reflect my style and lifestyle. I’m a maximalist, so I gravitate toward brands that are glamorous, fun, and uplifting.

Latest Project: Team Havnaa

8. Your latest movie Team Havnaa tells a powerful story—what drew you to this project?

The movie is set in the 1990s—my favorite era. I’ve always wanted to act in a film set in that time period. On top of that, it’s based on a true story, which is my absolute favorite kind of filmmaking.

And last but not least, it was shot in my home country, Slovakia. I had never filmed there before. I was asked to audition for the role of an American TV journalist, and the Slovak casting agency immediately knew it was the right fit for me. I nailed the audition and got the part.

9. Can you share a bit about your role in Team Havnaa and what audiences can expect from your performance?

Team Havnaa is based on the true story of brothers Erling and Magne Havnaa, who became household names for their careers in boxing, kickboxing… and bank robbing.

My role is small but fun. As an ESPN journalist, I approach Erling (played by Tobias Santelmann) to ask him a few questions about a match—only to realize I’ve mistaken him for his brother.

Entrepreneurship: Cosmetics

10. You’re re-launching Glamour Garden Cosmetics in Europe. What excites you most about this expansion?

Glamour Garden Cosmetics first launched in the U.S. in 2017 as a limited-edition line of liquid lipsticks. I held onto the name for years until I met an incredible woman named Maria, who later partnered with me to relaunch the brand.

Together, we reintroduced Glamour Garden in Czechia and Slovakia with new products. In 2026, we plan to expand into other EU countries, including Bulgaria. I’m excited to bring our high-quality, youthful-look-enhancing products to more women across Europe.

As someone who also worked as a makeup artist in Hollywood for over a decade, I can’t wait to share my knowledge with women who want to master makeup and feel truly beautiful.

11. How will the European version of Glamour Garden Cosmetics differ from the original launch? Will there be new products or a refreshed brand direction?

The European version is completely different. It has a brand-new, more luxurious look and features cleaner formulas that meet EU standards. We’re also expanding beyond lipsticks and offering education to help women navigate today’s overwhelming beauty market.

12. What’s your approach to beauty entrepreneurship in a world that’s becoming more sustainability-conscious?

I personally support sustainability and using ingredients that are not derived from animals. But I also hope people—consumers and brands alike—can remain realistic and not cross the line into extremism.

These days, according to people online, everything is harmful. Fear is often used to manipulate consumers into making certain choices. Not everything is dangerous, and some ingredients *are* necessary if you want beauty products that actually work.

Personal Reflections & Empowerment

13. You’ve built your career as a model, actress, publisher, and entrepreneur. What has been the hardest lesson you’ve learned along the way?

That’s a good question. The hardest lesson I’ve learned is that you will lose friends and people you love. You will be hated for your success. Some people will try to bring you down or feel entitled to a piece of your success.

Not many people will cheer for you—sometimes, strangers will support you more than your own family. I’ve also learned that hiring friends for your company isn’t always the best idea. The hardest part of the journey is always… the people.

14. For young women who look up to you as a self-made success story, what’s the most important piece of advice you would offer?

My advice would be: Know that the bigger you grow, the bigger the problems you’ll face. That’s why it’s important to have a clear vision of the level of success you want to achieve—because that will determine the level of sacrifice required.

What are you willing to sacrifice? Be honest with yourself. Maybe your soul doesn’t need everything that Instagram flashes in your face.

15. What’s next for you? Are there any dream projects, collaborations, or causes you’re hoping to pursue in the near future?

At the end of this year, I’ll be hitting a major milestone. My plan for the next 10 years is to live the best decade of my life. Growing Glamour Garden Cosmetics is my top priority.

Credits:

Photography: Reinhardt Kenneth @reinhardtkenneth
Creative director: Johanna Shehata @byjo.she .
Jewelry Designer: @aminajohanofficial .
Makeup and Hair: @glamourgardencosmetics
Tan: @instaglam_tan
Lighting Director: Hugo Arvizu @arvizu_arts .
Digitech: Suimay Lee @suimaylee .
Photographer’s assistant: Trisha Lindsey @trishalindseyphoto.
Set Assistant: Karina Petrova @karinkapetro .
Videography: Victoria Bohunicka @victoriabohunicka .
Location: alderinsporthorses_