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Background:
"I think it's important that there is a change, especially in fashion. I'm
pleased to be a part of a 'new breed' of models who perhaps don't exactly fit
the status quo." Devon Aoki
Of Japanese, English, and German descent, model and actress Devon Aoki gained
international recognition while portraying racer Suki in the blockbuster film, 2
Fast 2 Furious, in 2003. As a model, she burst onto the fashion scene after
replacing supermodel Naomi Campbell as the Versace image in 1998. She has also
modeled for several prestigious fashion houses like Chanel, Fendi and Givenchy,
as well as being the face of Lancome cosmetics.
Aoki's private life has been kept quiet since her break up with former
boyfriend, musician Lenny Kravitz. However, the light brown/blonde-haired and
hazel-eyed Aoki is frequently seen going out with several leading hip-hop and
Hollywood men.
Ritzy Root
Childhood and Family:
"My mom's German/English and my dad is Japanese, and I'm half and half, and I've
been brought up with both sides equally, which is important to me. So I
definitely think that I represent both. That's who I am." Devon Aoki
In New York, New York, Devon Edwenna Aoki was born on August 10th, 1982, to a
family fully loaded with fame and wealth. Her father is Japanese former Olympic
wrestler Rocky Aoki, who is now restaurant tycoon owner of the Benihana
Restaurants, and her mother is British-German jewelry designer Pamela Hilburger.
Aoki spent her childhood in Malibu and relocated to her homeland in her early
adolescence. Aoki's parents divorced when she was 14 years old and she followed
her mother to London.
Racing Model
Career:
Commencing her modeling career at age 13, after being spotted at a Rancid
concert in New York, Devon Aoki then moved to London a year and signed with
Storm Model Management, which also represents supermodel Kate Moss. About the
model legend Kate Moss, Aoki commented, "It was cool because when I got to know
Kate, I realized that she was not only incredibly beautiful, but smart too."
16-year-old Aoki broke into the modeling world in a surprising way. She replaced
supermodel Naomi Campbell as the next face of Versace. The breakthrough soon put
the 5'6" inches tall model in rank with such modeling goodies as Mena Suvari,
Elizabeth Jagger and Uma Thurman.
Aoki graced the catwalk for several prestigious designers, including Chanel,
Fendi, Jean Paul Gaultier, Yohji Yamamoto, Karl Lagerfeld, Anna Molinari and
Givenchy. Aoki also worked featuring Karl Lagerfeld's Chanel Couture, Steven
Meisel's Versace Atelier, and Bettina Kimenda's Junko Shimada ad promotions.
Aoki's rising status brought her to numerous major magazine covers. She fronted
notable fashion and women magazines like Vogue, Elle Girl, i-D, and Nylon. She
also recently signed a contract to be the face of Lancome cosmetics and Chanel,
which makes her the most high-grossing model for her agency, Women.
In 2003, Aoki stepped into the big screen. She achieved her breakout role as
stunning racer Suki in John Singleton's runaway success, 2 Fast 2 Furious, the
second installment of the hit The Fast and The Furious. Despite her lack of
driving skill, Aoki was able to impress the audience with her performance
alongside actors Paul Walker, Tyrese, and Eva Mendes.
Other film works rolled in. Angela Robinson cast Aoki to portray French
student/agent Dominique, and teamed her with Sara Foster, Jordana Brewster, and
Jill Ritchie in her Sundance Film Festival hit film, the spy-spoof D.E.B.S
(2004). Currently, moviegoers can watch her in Frank Miller's thriller Sin City
(2005, starring Jessica Alba, Rosario Dawson, Elijah Wood, and Bruce Willis).
She also played a role in hip-hop tycoon Damon Dash' musical comedy, Death of a
Dynasty (2005), in which she costarred with Ebon Moss-Bachrach.
Upcoming years will be busy ones for Aoki. She is currently reported working in
China, in Corey Yuen's adaptation of Tecmo's best-selling video game, D.O.A. On
her forthcoming film, Aoki said, "I actually leave for there in about a month,
and I'm going to be there for about three months... There's even more action in
that one. I'm going to do five hours of training a day... It's going to be very
physical and I'm looking forward to that."
Aoki will be playing a kick-boxer in the film.
Aoki also plans to release her own clothing line. She will soon also embrace the
music world and plans to record her own album with the Richie Akiva's recording
company.
Awards:
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