David Meltzer
She’s been the world’s sexiest woman, a real-life video game icon, and the star of Netflix’s wildest documentary. Now Lucy Clarkson opens up about fame, fearlessness, and finding her true power – on her own terms.
Interview by Chrissy Johnston
At just seventeen, Lucy Clarkson went from a small village in South Yorkshire to stepping into one of pop culture’s most legendary roles – Lara Croft. It was the kind of life twist that sounds straight
out of a Hollywood script. “Becoming Lara Croft was truly life changing,” she says with a grin that still carries a hint of disbelief. “One moment I was running around Cape Town going to castings,
and the next I was flying first class around the world with my own glam squad and security team. There were fans waiting for autographs, it was surreal.” For a small-town girl, it was like hitting the jackpot. “My dad always said I looked like Lara Croft,” she laughs. “And then suddenly, I was her!”
But long before her iconic turn as gaming’s most famous heroine, Lucy was already turning heads in the fashion world. Her first big break came at just 15, when she beat 16,000 other hopefuls to win
a modeling contest with the prestigious Elite Model Agency. Within a year, she became the face of More magazine, gracing multiple covers as Britain’s fresh new beauty. What followed was a whirlwind of campaigns for global powerhouses… from Vivienne Westwood, Chanel, and Diesel to La Senza, Marks & Spencer, and De Beers. “It was an incredible time,” she reflects. “I was working
with the world’s best designers and photographers before I was even old enough to vote.”
Her modeling career took her around the world, from Paris to Cape Town to London, and onto the covers of Marie Claire, Loaded, Sports Illustrated, and countless others. British tabloids crowned
her with cheeky titles like Best Rear of the Year and Best Celebrity in a Thong, beating the likes of celebrity Cheryl Cole, while popular men’s magazines voted her Sexiest Woman in the World. “It
was wild,” Lucy admits. “I’d see my face in magazines, on billboards, in shop windows – it was surreal but also incredibly humbling.” Even in 2022, the Daily Star newspaper ran two glowing
features praising her ageless beauty at 40. “I think that’s down to clean living and good lighting,” she jokes.
Still, it was her role as the official Lara Croft model for the Tomb Raider game franchise that catapulted her into global fame. “That role changed everything,” she says. “I was 17, traveling the world, representing a character known for strength and independence, it gave me confidence I didn’t know I had.” Looking back, she credits that moment for teaching her how to thrive under pressure. “It taught me resilience, professionalism, and how to handle the spotlight. Honestly, if social media had been around back then, it would have gone viral!”
Her modeling success naturally evolved into a thriving television career. By 2005, Lucy was shifting gears into hosting and presenting – a move that let her showcase not just her looks, but her quick wit and vibrant personality. “Hosting came naturally to me,” she says. “Modeling teaches you how to play a character, but TV let me use my own voice – my humor, my energy, my British
personality. I love connecting with people and telling real stories, not just being part of one.”
Over the past two decades, Lucy has become a familiar face on screens around the world. Her presenting credits include The Beach Channel, which she’s hosted since 2011, The Health &
Wellness Channel (2014–2020), Fox Business’s Airport Insider (2020), and Elite Estates (2021– 2022). Most recently, she both hosted and starred in the hit Netflix documentary Gunther’s Millions, which premiered in 195 countries and 32 languages in February 2023. “Gunther’s Millions was such a ride,” she says, lighting up. “The story was outrageous, funny, and totally unique – and getting to be part of something that reached audiences across the world was incredible.”
Reality TV has also played a major role in Lucy’s career. Her turn on The Apartment: Celebrity Edition, Asia’s biggest interior design competition series, was one of her toughest challenges. “It was brutal,” she recalls. “We were working nonstop, barely sleeping, and constantly under pressure. But I ended up building a kitchen with my bare hands, and won that challenge! It proved to me I
could take on absolutely anything.” She also appeared on South Beach Classics on Velocity Channel in the USA between 2016 and 2021, balancing glamour with grit in front of the cameras.
Of course, Lucy’s personal life has drawn its share of attention, too – and she’s refreshingly candid about it. “Yes, I’ve dated a few famous people,” she admits with a grin. “Vin Diesel, David Blaine,
Ritchie Neville, and Mickey Rourke, among others. Mickey was one of the nicest – and sexiest – men I’ve ever met!” But she’s quick to clarify that Hollywood romance isn’t always what it’s cracked up to be. “Dating in that world can be complicated. I’ve always preferred to keep work and relationships separate. It’s simpler that way, and much more genuine.”
Her years in the public eye have brought a mix of awe-inspiring moments and eyebrow-raising headlines. “Meeting Angelina Jolie on the Tomb Raider set was unforgettable,” Lucy recalls. “She
was so kind, grounded, and breathtakingly beautiful. I was only 17 and completely starstruck.” Then there was the now-infamous Tomb Raider premiere stunt that caused a media storm. “I lifted
my dress and showed something cheeky written on my bum cheeks, and the next day, it was splashed across every UK tabloid!” she laughs. “It was bold, outrageous, and completely me at that age – fearless and full of fun.”
Not all her experiences were picture-perfect, however. “When I was 15, I walked in my first Vivienne Westwood show and Naomi Campbell rudely told me to get out of the makeup chair,”
Lucy remembers. “I was mortified. I went bright red and ran off to the corner. That day, I learned that not everyone in fashion plays nice.”
Beneath the glamour, Lucy has fought her share of battles. “I suffered from bulimia in my early modeling days,” she says openly. “I was working nonstop in Paris, but underneath it all, I was very
unwell. Getting help changed everything. After I recovered, I supported the ‘Say No to Size Zero’ campaign to help others going through the same thing.” Today, she’s all about health, balance, and longevity. “I live a really healthy lifestyle now, I eat clean, exercise, and hydrate constantly. I take NAD+ injections, walk everywhere, and I swear by one clove of raw garlic a day with olive oil. It sounds mad, but it’s my ultimate secret weapon!”
Her approach to wellness is equal parts grounded and glamorous. “Pilates keeps my back and posture in check – being six feet tall has its downsides – and I love papaya, seeds and all. They’re
packed with nutrients and great for gut health. Oh, and I take David Beckham’s IM8 supplements and chlorella spirulina. Miami is such a health-conscious city; it’s easy to live well here.” As someone who’s spent years in front of cameras, Lucy’s fashion philosophy is refreshingly practical. “Every woman needs a great pair of jeans,” she insists. “They’re timeless, you can dress
them up or down. And I’d love to see halter necks and off-the-shoulder looks make a comeback. They’re sexy, classy, and effortlessly feminine.”
Ask what truly grounds her, though, and her answer is instant: motherhood. “Becoming a mum was my biggest turning point. It changed everything: my perspective, my priorities, my sense of
purpose. It’s the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done.” That maternal instinct also drives her latest business venture. Her new company, As Seen In The Press, launches in late November 2025 with her PR agency, IntriguePublications.com. “It’s a platform that helps people and brands get global media exposure through affordable placements or DIY PR courses. I love the idea of empowering others to take control of their own publicity, it’s a full-circle moment for me.” After more than two decades in the spotlight, Lucy Clarkson has evolved far beyond the teenage
icon who once embodied Lara Croft. She’s conquered catwalks, TV screens, and international press with grace, humor, and grit.. and she’s still hungry for more. “I’ve lived a crazy life,” she admits
with a knowing smile. “But I wouldn’t change a single thing. Every experience – the fame, the heartbreaks, the chaos – made me who I am. And honestly,” she adds, eyes sparkling, “I’m just getting started.”
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