'I'm sorry': Gemma Ward apologises to fans for lying about her identity...as the model reveals she struggled to come to terms with fame during the height of her career
She was once the most in-demand Australian model in the world, being named the tenth highest earning model by Forbes in 2007.
However, Gemma Ward has revealed she used to lie about her identity to fans in the past, in an attempt to fly under the radar.
At the height of her modelling career, the shy 28-year-old told followers when approached on the street that she was not the famous model, instead claiming to be Gemma's look-a-like cousin.
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'I'd say that it definitely wasn't me': Gemma Ward has revealed that she lied about her identity to fans in the past in an attempt to fly under the radar
'I'd say that it definitely wasn't me,' she told Vogue Australia in an upcoming interview.
Appearing on the cover of the January issue of the publication, the model-turned-actor added: 'I feel really bad about that now. If they're out there, I'm sorry'.
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The Perth-born stunner admitted she lied in an effort to remain anonymous, because she was afraid she wouldn't live up to the expectations of her fans.
But the blonde beauty says she is much more comfortable in her skin these days.
'I might still have a bad morning and claim to be my cousin,' she said, adding: 'But I am definitely much more accepting of myself and that is why I'm not hiding as much.'
'I'm sorry': The shy 28-year-old apologised for telling fans when approached on the street that she was not the famous model but her look-a-like cousin (Pictured: Carolina Herrera Spring 2007 catwalk, Olympus Fashion Week in 2007)
Shy: The Perth-born stunner said she lied in an effort to remain anonymous, because she was afraid she wouldn't live up to the expectations of her fans (Pictured: Oscar de la Renta S/S07 Show in New York in 2006)
At the peak of her career between 2003 and 2008, Gemma was a runway regular for high-end designers including Chanel and Givenchy.
The Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides actress has recently returned to the limelight after a six-year hiatus from modelling, which came after announcing her retirement in 2009.
Gemma told The Daily Telegraph in 2011 that her move out of the public eye had been spurred by the death of her lover at the time, Heath Ledger.
And while she’s since dabbled in acting, the 1.78m tall Prada model, is slowly kick-starting her modelling career again as well as juggling life as a mother.
Gemma made her triumphant return to the runway in Sydney earlier this year when she walked for local label Ellery at Australian Fashion Week, and has since appeared on the of RUSSH magazine and has been named the face of Coke Life.
Accepting: The model says she is much more comfortable in her own skin these days
'I might still have a bad morning and claim to be my cousin': The model says she still has bad mornings and pretends to be her cousin but is much more accepting of fame and fans these days
Special moment: Gemma made her triumphant return to the runway in Sydney earlier this year when she walked for local label Ellery at Australian Fashion Week
On Thursday, the blonde beauty also announced she will be the new brand representative for luxury car brand, Jaguar.
Speaking to news.com.au the mother-of-one said: ‘I’m delighted to be named as an ambassador for what is still such an iconic English brand.’
‘I have been very fortunate to work with luxury brands from my early modelling days so I am incredibly aware of quality and the time and effort taken into producing things that are seen as luxurious.'
Gemma also took to social media to mention the partnership, sharing a photo of herself dressed in a tight-fitting black dress, leaning against a red Jaguar.
She added hash-tags in the caption spelling ‘couldn’t be happier’ and ‘just in time for Christmas’.
In demand: At the peak of her career between 2003 and 2008, Gemma was a runway regular for high-end designers including Burberry (Pictured), Chanel and Givenchy
Peak of her career: She was named the tenth highest earning model by Forbes in 2007
Iconic: On Thursday, the blonde beauty announced she will be the new brand representative for luxury car brand, Jaguar
Gemma currently lives in the sleepy town of Byron Bay together with her partner David Letts and their two-year-old daughter Naia, who both feature frequently on her social media feed.
Last week Gemma shared a snap of herself with the toddler in her arms, gushing in the caption: 'Happy birthday my darling girl - you're 2!! And so special to me.'
'I wish you all the happiness in the world,' she added.
Home life: Gemma currently lives in the sleepy town of Byron Bay together with her partner David Letts and their two-year-old daughter Naia, who both feature frequently on her social media feed
Doting: Last week Gemma shared a snap of herself with the toddler in her arms, gushing in the caption: 'Happy birthday my darling girl - you're 2!! And so special to me'
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