Why are they famous: Vanessa Paradis

Sunday 13 December 1998 00:02 GMT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Main Claim

French sex kitten of sub-Bardot variety, endowed with mysterious superstarlet status despite infrequency of international bits. A singer and actress, she pouted her way as a teenager through a ditty called "Joe le Taxi" and, um, has acted in a handful of films. Now there are reports that she is expecting a baby with the cool babe's thinking Romeo, Johnny Depp. Our protagonist has been spotted in shades and baggy knitwear leaving a Montmartre flat flanked by the brooding hero, sporting beanie and goatee. Vanessa quote from 1997: "I want to have a baby inside me, give birth to it and feed it." That's alright, then.

Appearance

Bee sting. Hamster. Kitten. Isabelle Adjani meets Vanessa-Mae. Judi Dench meets Lolita.

Fame game

Since her candied rendition of "Joe le Taxi" as little more than a child, Vanessa has starred as a bird in a cage for Coco Chanel ads, and won an award for her debut film, Noce Blanche. Her second big screen role in five years, opposite Gerard Depardieu in Elisa, had them steaming on in predictable fashion about Bardot. Fickle old public - a few years ago, that skew-eyed Barbie Claudia Schiffer was meant to be Brigitte incarnate. And does Vanessa really want to end up with panda eyeliner saving rabid dogs, espousing dodgy politics, and sporting long blonde hair in her sixties? We think not. Control those pouts.

Paradise gained

After her "Taxi" number, Vanessa, now 25, enjoyed a hit with "Be My Baby", but fame had its drawbacks: "Girls still treat me as a bitch and pull my hair," said the girl who made mouse-brown locks look cool. Of her blood- raising abilities on screen, she comments: "All the better."

Love match

Engaged to Winona Ryder, and the on-off consort of Kate Moss, alleged current beau Johnny Depp clearly likes a pretty face, a pair of cheekbones and a perfect mouth among a general selection of young girlie charms. But what about his "Winona Forever" tattoo? And let us spare a thought for poor Kate, languishing at The Priory after her spell of over-enthusiastic carousing.

Fame prospects

A tender-aged Vanessa Paradis can't go far wrong with a name like that, but for those post-Lolita years it might be a moniker better suited to a drag queen. Our heroine could go all reclusive, become a hollow-eyed housewife for cinematic cred, run off with Depardieu or become a surreal art house belle. And she can always take to croaking "Joe le Taxi" at 90.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in