Back to earth tones
Viva, Summer 2007

 

Blonde and Blonder’s brunette bombshell Emmanuelle Vaugier on being bad and living well.

With roles on CSI NY, Two and a Half Men opposite Charlie Sheen, House of the Dead II and in Saw II, Vaugier has come a long way from her Catholic school days growing up in Vancouver, British Columbia. Vaugier’s most recent project has her playing the assassin to Denise Richards’ and Pamela Anderson’s blonde bombshells in her new movie.

When asked what it was like to work with two of the Hollywood tabloids’ most publicized blondes, Vaugier says that it was a great experience.

“They are both so sweet and generous in both their work and their disposition.” What about playing the bad girl? Vaugier laughs, “Being bad is always more fun than being good.”

Vaugier began her career by leaving home at 16 to model in Japan.

“Those were really my college years, because I never went to college,” Vaugier says. She adds that her parents were very supportive and excited, although they cautioned that maybe she should have something to fall back on, which she dismissed.

“Not having a backup plan makes you work harder,” Vaugier points out.

Her stint in Japan immersed her in the culture and provided her with friends all over the world.

While she lives a busy life, she points out that she is able to maintain balance which is important to her.

“To me, balance is about being able to draw boundaries around my work and my personal schedule and not have one outweigh the other. You need to have fun and enjoy yourself.”

Vaugier loves taking her two miniature poodles out and hiking or strolling about. A relaxing day would also involve hanging out with friends, maybe at a French café with a glass of white wine.

Vaugier says she misses her friends from home, but feels she has created a great core group in Los Angeles, adding that she is able to go to them for advice, or her parents.

To maintain her great shape, Vaugier heads to the gym five or six days a week for about an hour and a half each day, emphasizing that if she misses a trip, she heads out to do something active like hiking.

She also maintains good eating habits, eating a bit throughout the day instead of one big meal. “If you’re not eating properly, you’re not going to see good results,” Vaugier points out.

The results of Vaugier’s good living have been showcased in Maxim’s 2006 Hot List and as number five on Femme Fatal magazine’s 50 Sexiest Women on the Planet. She admits that she is recognized and finds it fun and flattering.

“It’s really flattering. It’s nice to have people say they appreciate your work; it’s very rewarding,” Vaugier enthuses. “Without these people you won’t get far.”

Vaugier is happy to say that she has her family and friends to go to for advice, and as for a Hollywood role model, she really looks up to actress and humanitarian Angelina Jolie because she uses her celebrity to further others’ well-being.

Vaugier herself is working on that, by looking at taking part of an adopt-an-elephant campaign run in Kenya, where she would take some part in its care and feeding.

Although she is in talks for a few projects, at the moment, Vaugier has taken on another role:
home decorator.

Having just bought a house, she is deep into renovations and decorating. “I’m happy to be unemployed at the moment,” Vaugier laughs. “I’m completely in decorating mode.”