Gemma Ward facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Gemma Ward
Ward in San Francisco, 15 March 2007
Born	Gemma Louise Ward (1987-11-03) 3 November 1987 (age 37) Perth, Western Australia, Australia
Occupation	Model, actress
Years active	2003–present
Partner(s)	David Letts (2008–present)
Children	3
Modeling information
Hair color	Blonde
Eye color	Blue
Agency	IMG Models (New York, Paris, Milan, London, Sydney)

Gemma Louise Ward (born 3 November 1987) is a famous Australian model and actress. She was born in Perth, Western Australia. Gemma was first discovered when she was 14 years old. She made her first big fashion show appearance at 15.

Gemma became one of the youngest models to be on the cover of the American Vogue magazine. She also appeared on the covers of Teen Vogue and Time. Vogue Paris magazine called her one of the top 30 models of the 2000s. Many people think Gemma Ward is a supermodel.

Gemma's first big acting role was in the 2008 Australian movie The Black Balloon. She also acted in the movies The Strangers (2008) and Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (2011).

Early Life and Discovery

Gemma Ward was born in Perth, Western Australia. She is the second of four children. Her father, Gary, is an Australian doctor, and her mother, Claire, is an English nurse. Gemma has an older sister, Sophie, who also became a model. She also has younger twin brothers, Oscar and Henry.

Gemma went to Presbyterian Ladies' College and Shenton College. She loved acting from a young age. Her passion for acting started in 1997 when she was ten. She played the witch in a school play of Hansel and Gretel.

Gemma's start in modeling happened by chance. She was discovered in 2002 when she was fourteen. She was with her friends at an Australian modeling competition. She was spotted by a talent scout.

Gemma did not win the competition. However, her unique look caught the eye of a scout from Vivien's Model Agency. This scout saw her potential. A video of her was sent to David Cunningham from IMG Models in New York City. He said, "She looks like she's been doing this for years. She's a 15-year-old kid walking in an alleyway in Perth. She's a supermodel, for sure."

Modeling Career

Becoming a Top Model (2004–2007)

At 15, Gemma Ward made her first appearance at Australian Fashion Week in May 2003. Within a year, she was in Italy meeting famous designer Miuccia Prada. Her unique look inspired a new style of models. These models had a "baby doll" look.

In September 2004, at just sixteen, Gemma became the youngest model to be on the cover of American Vogue. She was photographed by Steven Meisel. She was one of nine "Models of the Moment." By the end of 2004, Ward had been on the cover of Australian Vogue three times. She also appeared on British Vogue, Vogue Paris, and Vogue Japan.

Gemma Ward modeling in San Francisco, 2007

In February 2005, Gemma walked in 20 fashion shows during New York Fashion Week. She worked for designers like Vera Wang and Calvin Klein. At 17, she became the face of Calvin Klein's Obsession Night perfume. She also had big deals with Burberry and Valentino. Gemma also appeared in campaigns for Dolce & Gabbana, Balenciaga, Hermès, and Dior.

Gemma posed for Vogue Italia in April 2005. She was also on the cover of Vogue Greece and TIME Magazine's Style & Design issue. In September 2005, Ward was on the first-ever cover of Vogue China. She was with Chinese models Du Juan and Wang Wenqin. This issue sold 300,000 copies in just three hours.

By 2006, Gemma Ward was Australia's biggest fashion star since Elle Macpherson. At 18, she was the first model to appear on the cover of Teen Vogue magazine. She was featured on the Australian TV show 60 Minutes as the "It Girl". Allure magazine described her as "the model of the moment."

In May 2007, Ward was again on the cover of Vogue Italia. In July, Forbes magazine listed her as one of the world's top-earning supermodels. She earned an estimated $3 million in 12 months. In October 2007, Ward appeared on the first issue of Vogue India. She was with Bollywood actresses Bipasha Basu and Priyanka Chopra. Vogue Paris named her one of the top 30 models of the 2000s.

Taking a Break (2008–2013)

In August 2008, there were rumors that Gemma Ward would stop modeling to focus on acting. However, Gemma quickly said this was not true. She stated, "I was surprised to wake up this morning and read news of my own retirement. While I am taking some time off currently to rest and enjoy the company of friends and family, I am still very much a (excited and enthusiastic) working model and actress. I'm only 20, for God's sakes."

Gemma did not walk in fashion shows for five years after the spring 2008 shows. Her last modeling job before her break was for the October 2008 issue of Spanish Marie Claire. In November 2009, her agent announced she was taking a break from the industry. This followed some comments about her weight. However, Gemma again said she would return to modeling in 2010.

After staying out of the public eye for three years, Gemma spoke in an interview in January 2011. She explained that her break was influenced by a personal loss. She said she needed to focus on herself.

In 2013, Ward signed with IMG Models Australia. This led to rumors that she would return to modeling.

Return to the Runway (2014–Present)

On 18 September 2014, Gemma Ward returned to the runway. She walked in the Spring/Summer 2015 Prada show during Milan Fashion Week. In December, Ward appeared on the 55th Anniversary cover of Australian Vogue. She also became the face of Prada's Spring/Summer 2015 campaign.

In April 2015, Ward returned to Australian Fashion Week. She opened the show for Ellery. Ward also became the Australian ambassador for Coca-Cola Life. In January 2016, she was again on the cover of Australian Vogue. She also appeared in a Spring/Summer 2016 campaign for Givenchy. Ward then walked for Calvin Klein menswear at Milan Fashion Week.

In April 2016, Ward was photographed by Mario Testino for Australian Vogue. This was their first time working together since 2006. The same month, Ward posed for the cover of Australian InStyle with her friends and fellow models Jessica Gomes and Nicole Trunfio. In May, it was announced that Ward would be a guest judge on cycle 10 of Australia's Next Top Model.

She was on the July cover of Elle Australia. Ward also appeared in a Fall/Winter campaign for David Webb.

For the Spring 2019 shows, Ward walked for Proenza Schouler and Alexander McQueen. She appeared in magazines like Allure and Vogue Italia. She also graced the covers of Vogue Thailand, Australian Harper's Bazaar, and Numéro Tokyo. Ward is also the face of Hardy Brothers and Zimmermann.

Acting Career

Gemma Ward has always wanted to be an actress. She loved drama since she was a child. She starred with Toni Collette in the Australian film The Black Balloon (2008). In this movie, she played the girlfriend of a boy whose brother has autism. The film won a Crystal Bear award at the 58th Berlin International Film Festival.

She also acted with Liv Tyler in the thriller The Strangers (2008). She played one of the masked intruders, "Dollface." In 2009, she took acting classes at the Stella Adler Studio of Acting in New York.

After three years away from the public, Ward made her stage debut on 22 March 2011. She performed in The Ugly One for the Perth Theatre Company. The play is about how people are obsessed with looks and plastic surgery. Her fame helped bring attention to the play.

In 2011, MTV Networks' NextMovie.com called her one of the 'Breakout Stars to Watch for'. In the summer of 2011, Ward played Tamara, a mermaid, in Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. She acted alongside Johnny Depp.

Personal Life

Gemma Ward and her partner, David Letts, have three children. Their daughter was born in December 2013. Their son was born in January 2017. Their second daughter was born in June 2020.

Gemma is good friends with fellow Australian models Jessica Gomes and Nicole Trunfio. Jessica Gomes and Gemma Ward were bridesmaids at Nicole Trunfio's wedding.

Filmography

Television

Movies

Music Videos

• "Daughters" by John Mayer

See also

In Spanish: Gemma Ward para niños