Q&A: Model Search contestant Anne de Paula talks bodypaint, growing up as a tomboy

Get to know down-to-earth Brazilian beauty Anne de Paula, who loves binge-watching Netflix just as much as the rest of us!

Xandria James | Feb 14, 2017

Josephine Clough

Which of our Model Search contestants will be a part of the 2018 SI Swimsuit rookie class? We need your help deciding! Get to know down-to-earth Brazilian beauty Anne de Paula, who loves binge-watching Netflix just as much as the rest of us!

SwimDaily: How did you get into modeling?

Anne de Paula: I got into modeling because of my mom actually. She was like, ‘Well, why not try modeling?’ I really wanted to be a doctor at first because all of my family works with health. So, I got into modeling when I was 13. I first signed with an agency when I was 14 and that’s pretty much how everything started.

SD: What kind of doctor did you want to become?

AD: Gynecologist.

SD: What was your reaction to learning you were going to be a part of Model Search?

AD: I was in Brazil. I was home, ready to meet my friends at the beach and I was like, ‘Are you serious?’ I couldn’t believe that this was happening. It was amazing. It’s a dream that I’ve always had. I’ve traveled all over the world…but the place I wanted to go was New York because I knew the Sports Illustrated casting was here.

SD: What were you like as a kid?

AD: I was actually a tomboy. I think maybe that’s one of the reasons my mom wanted me to get into modeling…I used to play soccer on the team of my city. I used to be a goalkeeper and that was my number one thing. I just loved soccer. And then as soon as I was a teenager I got into Muay Thai…I absolutely love it. I do it like three times a week.

SD: Finish this sentence: The people I went to high school with would be _____ to find out I’m in SI Swimsuit.

AD: The boys I was playing soccer with would be surprised.

SD: What do like to do in your free time?

AD: I’m a very chill person. I love to stay home—sleep all day long if I can. If I have a choice, I would stay home. I love to find recipes online and just cook different things.

SD: Are there any TV shows you’ve been watching lately?

AD: Narcos. I can’t stop watching Narcos.

SD: What was it like to be in body paint?

AD: The feeling of it at first was like I was naked, but everyone made me feel like I was wearing something because they were not looking at me like, ‘Oh, you’re naked.’ And as soon as I looked at myself in the mirror I was like ‘Oh, I have something on’… I was very comfortable.

SD: Describe your perfect day.

AD: I would go to the beach. I would have some coconut water and walk along, maybe have my mom and my dad or my best friend too. A very chill day would be my perfect day. Just watching the sunset.

SD: What do you think about living in New York so far? What is the biggest change from Brazil?

AD: It’s a big change, but I think that’s why I like it, because it’s totally the opposite. Actually, today was the first time seeing snow.

SD: Do you have a favorite item of clothing?

AD: Boots. I’m more of a boots person than a high heels person.

SD: How many tattoos do you have and what to the mean?

AD: I only have two tattoos. One says ‘blessed’ and one says ‘endless.’ The blessed one is very important to me.

See all of Anne de Paula's gorgeous photos from SI Swimsuit 2017!