Victorias Secret OG Gisele Bündchen is one of the best known – and best paid – supermodels in the world.
The Brazlian beauty landed a commercial contract with the lingerie giant at just 19 years old, among the first in a wave of Brazilian models to find international success during the 1990s.
While the coveted role afforded her critical acclaim and significant financial security, the model became disillusioned with the brand by 2006 – and, true story, her fate of leaving her wings behind came down to answers in a teacup.
Opening up about her experiences with Victorias Secret in her revealing new memoir, Lessons: My Path to a Meaningful Life – which hit bookshelves last month – the 38-year-old star revealed she was initially so happy to be part of the exclusive VS family.
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An added bonus was the hefty paychecks, which reportedly made up 80 percent of her annual income.
But the glamorous life of a Victorias Secret model – which in reality involved attending store openings, doing television and print commercials and constantly travelling for photo shoots – soon became a chore and she no longer enjoyed parading around in the companys iconic skimpy outfits.
For the first five years, I felt comfortable modeling in lingerie, but as time went on, I felt less and less at ease being photographed walking the runway wearing just a bikini or a thong, she wrote.
Give me a tail, a cape, wings – please, anything to cover me up a little!
Her growing dissatisfaction with VS meant that by the time it came to renewing her contract in 2006, Gisele was hesitant.
While she said she felt grateful for the opportunity and the financial security the role had afforded her, she had wound up in a different place in her life and wasnt sure she wanted to continue working there.
Cue the teacup.
I crumpled up two small pieces of paper and placed them inside an empty teacup, the model revealed, adding that she wrote the words yes and no on each.
I closed my eyes and set an intention: whatever piece of paper I chose would be for my highest and best self and be the right decision.
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While it might not be the most advisable strategy for an indecisive 20-something to deal with their problems, it worked for Gisele and she parted ways with the company after drawing the paper no.
Though it was difficult to read at first, she concedes that it was the answer she unconsciously wanted to hear and immediately felt at peace with her decision.
But her time with Victorias Secret wasnt up completely.
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The models close friend, chief creative officer at Victorias Secret Ed Razek, ended up playing matchmaker and setting her up on a blind date with now-husband Tom Brady.
The couple married in 2009 and share daughter Vivian, five and son Benjamin, eight, together, as well as parenting Toms 11-year-old son Jack from his previous relationship with Bridget Moynahan.
So happily ever afters do exist!
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