 One time bank clerk, Nell McAndrew, is
best known as the woman who spent a year as the life-size model
of Lara Croft, infamous star of the Tomb Raider computer
games. Now a presenter on VH1 and appearing on the front covers
of next month's Loaded magazine and Playboy, Nell
came online to talk about all this and a lot more...Read on...
Nell McAndrew live on
beeb.com
avatar asks:
"What's it like representing the world's first computer-generated
sex symbol?"
Nell McAndrew:
"Fantastic! It's great to be associated with a character
that's so popular worldwide and admired by lots of men!"
Anna Gill
asks: "As Lara Croft, some young men may admire you more
than you'd want them to. How do you cope?"
Nell McAndrew:
"So far, I've not had any bad experiences - it's all been
good, I think it's a compliment to have all these men saying nice
things about you."
Lara Croft
asks: "Are you ever going to represent Lara Croft again?"
Nell McAndrew:
"Not that I know of - I've done my year 'representing' her
and I'm now moving on to other things. There's a new girl representing
her now...Although it was a fantastic year and I got to travel
all over the world!"
lord duff
asks: "Do you miss Lara now?"
Nell McAndrew:
"I miss meeting the fans. But I don't miss gluing the wig
into my hair every day and squeezing into the rubber outfit -
a 2-hour process I might add!"
bubs asks:
"Hi Nell, what was it like doing Man-O-Man - did you
enjoy working with Chris Tarrant or did you prefer being the real
life Lara Croft?"
Nell McAndrew:
"I like both! Being on Man-O-Man meant you could push
all the horrible men in the pool - especially those who thought
they could just breeze through and win the bike at the end!"
Piers asks:
"Do you think there should be a Tomb Raider game based
on you? What would you wear?"
Nell McAndrew:
"Yes! I wouldn't wear rubber because it makes me sweat too
much! Maybe a nice bikini - Gucci!"
AngelJ asks:
"If they approached you, would you play Lara in the Tomb
Raider movie?"
Nell McAndrew:
"I'd love to! I'd feel very honoured to play the character
- but they haven't...I'd love to star in a big movie - but I'm
still waiting for the offer!"
Derek Oswald
asks: "What was it like to play Lara Croft and do you feel
sorry for Lara Weller who was chased by fans at E3?"
Nell McAndrew:
"I'm afraid I don't know anything about Lara being chased
at E3 - can you tell me why she was being chased? My experience
at E3 was hordes and hordes of people wanting polaroid pictures
of me and wanting to touch me...In fact, in one magazine there
was a small article and it was an apology from a young guy who
said he was sorry for touching me during a signing. I was shaking
hands and hugging everyone at E3 - and I was surprised that he
thought he'd offended me...he definitely hadn't!"
aphrodite
asks: "How did you get the job of Lara Croft?"
Nell McAndrew:
"I went to an audition wearing a long dark wig - because
I had a shaved head at the time! This was at the beginning of
last year. I had to pretend to be mean and tough - and I got short-listed
and eventually got the job!"
craft asks:
"Have you ever played Tomb Raider yourself?"
Nell McAndrew:
"I have! Not very much though, I've never completed a game...So
it's not wise to ask me for tips!"
tony blair
asks: "Now you're no longer playing Lara Croft, do you think
she's still a great role-model for the youth of today?"
Nell McAndrew:
"Yes, because she's independent, adventurous, intelligent,
she's sexy and you never see a man anywhere! She's a great role-model
for women, definitely! "
bubs asks:
"What was it that made you shave your head Nell?"
Nell McAndrew:
"It was a spur of the moment thing - I was having a very,
very bad hair day - I thought that my blonde hair looked yellow
and I was crying by the pool in Tenerife!"
e3t asks:
"What do you think of Lara Weller?"
Nell McAndrew:
"I've never met the new real-life version of Lara Croft,
so I'm presuming she's a very nice girl and she's having a great
time!"
Scall asks:
"Which football team do you support? Please say Manchester
city!"
Nell McAndrew:
"I'm afraid I'm from Leeds - so I have to go with Leeds United
or my friends would never speak to me again! I recently did a
shoot for Loaded magazine - which will be on the next magazine
at the beginning of August - and I got to touch the FA Cup! I
was wearing a Leeds United kit."
rosey asks:
"Do you miss Leeds? Would you ever want to go back to Leeds?"
Nell McAndrew:
"I do miss Leeds - and I go back as often as I can. It's
nice to go back to reality after being whisked all over the world...although
I love living in London. It's a great place for opportunities."
Derek Oswald
asks: "Why did you pose in magazines that caused publicity
for Tomb Raider?"
Nell McAndrew:
"I recently posed for American Playboy - and the situation
between Playboy and Eidos has been nothing to do with me
- it was a completely separate issue. I was posing as myself -
and I'm honoured to be following in the footsteps of people like
Cindy Crawford and Sharon Stone. It's a very tasteful magazine
and I had full picture approval. It was the magazine which chose
to put the logo on the cover which will now have to be stickered
when it's released this Friday in the shops."
greer asks:
"What do you say to critics who disapprove of nudity?"
Nell McAndrew:
"I think everybody has a choice to pose nude or not...I am
very proud of my body, I work very hard to keep in shape. The
first thing people do when they get abroad is strip off for 2
weeks! A lot of people choose to go to nudist beaches where they're
being ogled by many people. When I pose nude on a shoot, it's
in front of a very minimal number of people - it's a closed set.
People are so busy with their job they're not looking at you.
Overall, the human body is not something to be embarrassed by."
FunBoy asks:
"Hello there, so tell us about your recent spread in PlayBoy?"
Nell McAndrew:
"The Playboy shoot was shot in Bora Bora in Tahiti
- which is pure paradise! I was treated very, very well by Playboy.
I was there for 9 days and it's definitely a place to go to with
the special person in your life. I was surrounded by honeymoon
couples which is a bit sickly when you're on your own! But it's
definitely a place I want to go back to - and I'm very proud of
the pictures that I've done, because they're very tasteful...I
won't look like this forever!"
Jimbo McBob
asks: "Have you ever visited any of the Tomb Raider
locations yourself - if so, which is your fave?"
Nell McAndrew:
"Well, one of the locations is London - and I live here!
What more could you ask for? I've not been to any of the exotic
locations - maybe in the future."
Mojo asks:
"I'm from Leeds too, what music are you into?"
Nell McAndrew:
"Everything! Although I love soul music."
Bouncer
asks: "I heard you had a tattoo when you were over in the
States recently, was it painful - would you have any others?"
Nell McAndrew:
"I did have a tattoo - I had it done on Sunset Strip in Los
Angeles with the best tattooist in the world. It's a wolf at the
very base of my spine - the top of my bum! It was two hours of
- not pain, but discomfort - but I'm very, very proud of it -
but my mum hates it!"
WilliamCooke
asks: "What's it to be: a big greasy fry-up or posh nosh
at an exclusive restaurant?"
Nell McAndrew:
"Definitely posh nosh at an exclusive restaurant - if it's
Italian! Otherwise, I'll just make do with a lamb rogan josh and
a garlic naan at home!"
bubs asks:
"Who's your favourite fashion designer?"
Nell McAndrew:
"At the moment, Stephen Fuller - because he made a stunning
white dress for my press launch which was held last week in Central
London."
C4 asks:
"The Staying In Show is all about sex and sexuality.
Do you have anything to declare?!"
Nell McAndrew:
"I will be on The Staying In Show next Tuesday night
on Channel 4 at 11pm as a guest panelist - this is the first time
I've done anything like this and I was very nervous but I had
a great time and met Saffron from Republica. The other guests
were comedy writers and they're very, very funny! And I don't
have anything to declare...apart from the fact I'm looking for
a very, very nice man!"
spicy asks:
"What's the worst bit about being spicy on VH-1?"
Nell McAndrew:
"There's no worst bits - it's all good because I get to choose
the music and write my links - so I'm fully in control of the
show!"
Dr_Bumble
asks: "So Nell, when are you going to do some stuff on the
BBC - I think an invite is in order!"
Nell McAndrew:
"Do they allow Playboy girls on the BBC? :-)
"I'm the
first British woman to appear on the cover of Playboy worldwide
since 1972 - the last person was Mary Ann Coles - because when
Sam Fox did hers in 1996, Playboy told us it was a split
cover - it didn't run all over the world, only in the UK and Canada.
Whereas I'm all over the world - America, the UK, Canada, Taiwan,
everywhere."
Razor asks:
"Would you show us the tattoo on the webcam?"
Nell McAndrew:
"Yes..."
beeb.com:
"There you go Razor!"
r2d2 asks:
"Would you like to move on from modelling?"
Nell McAndrew:
"I'm starting to do presenting and want to do more...so watch
this space! I'm on VH1 Spice for the whole of this month on Friday
and Saturday nights at 11pm, so tune in or else!"
Mojo asks:
"Have you seen Star Wars yet?"
Nell McAndrew:
"I haven't seen Star Wars yet but I suppose I'll have
to because of all the hype!"
puff asks:
"How many colours have you dyed your hair and which was your
favourite?"
Nell McAndrew:
"I have dyed my hair dark brown, light brown, red, all sorts
of shades of blonde and my favourite is being blonde definitely!
My natural hair colour's medium brown."
puff asks:
"Nell do you have a personal web site of your own and if
so what is the URL?"
Nell McAndrew:
"I'm having one set up at the moment...So watch this space
- it's literally being set up this week and it's being set up
by my management company...check out So Much Management."
Mojo asks:
"Where is your favourite place in the world?"
Nell McAndrew:
"Bora Bora - at the moment!"
London asks:
"What did you do on Man-O-Man?"
Nell McAndrew:
"I was a hostess - with the mostess - along with 9 other
stunning girls and we had to do dance routines, and push all the
men in the pool! It was quite difficult for me because all the
others were trained dancers and I wasn't - so it took me longer
to learn the routines, although I had done backing dancing before.
I still know all the girls, although I only speak to most of them
and see a couple of them...But they're all great girls, great
personalities and very stunning."
qqqqqqqqqq
asks: "Did you get tired of being Lara, especially of people
treating you as Lara Croft?"
Nell McAndrew:
"Well, the good thing that I had to my advantage was that
I wore a wig - so when I took the wig and costume off, a lot of
people didn't realise it was me - which made it easier to keep
the two things separate."
Mojo asks:
"What car do you drive and what is your dream car?"
Nell McAndrew:
"I drive a Vauxhall Astra at the moment - very reliable car,
good for the motorway and you don't mind if anyone bashes it in!
My dream car would be a Mercedes SLK."
bubs asks:
"If you could meet anyone who would it be?"
Nell McAndrew:
"Al Pacino. Easy! I think he's gorgeous - it'd just be nice
to see what he was like in real life, what kind of personality
he was. The film Sea of Love - with Ellen Barkin - that's
the film that made me think he was gorgeous!"
nickowen
asks: "Nell, you have mentioned before that 'Lara' has helped
a lot of couple's love life, has she helped you ??"
Nell McAndrew:
"She hasn't helped me in my love life - my love life is non-existent
at the moment! I'm very, very busy working."
akjdsh asks:
"Are you into motorbikes and do you own one?"
Nell McAndrew:
"I used to try and learn to ride a PW80 - which is a small
child's motorbike - and I fell off it because I panicked and forgot
which was the accelerator and which was the brake. But I've recovered
now and would love to pass my motorbike test. It would have to
be a crash course though!"
Mojo asks:
"What are your hobbies?"
Nell McAndrew:
"Keeping fit, going to the gym lots, and going out to eat!
They work well together!"
bubs asks:
"What's the best thing that's happened to you since you became
famous?"
Nell McAndrew:
"I don't know if famous is the right word to describe me
but...going to a bar and not having to queue!"
bubs asks:
"Are you planning on doing anything really special this New
Year's Eve?"
Nell McAndrew:
"Not at the moment - a lot of people I know are going to
Thailand, so maybe I'll go there. But I don't really mind staying
in this country - that way I could see my family in between spending
my mad nights out!"
Mojo asks:
"Are you going to see Austin Powers 2 and have you seen the
first one?"
Nell McAndrew:
"I haven't seen the first one but I really want to see both
- so I will see Austin Powers 2 definitely. Probably before Star
Wars!"
nickowen
asks: "Nell, when can fans get to see you in person next?"
Nell McAndrew:
"I don't know when my next public appearance will be, but
I'm sure it'll be very well publicised when it happens!"
bubs asks:
"Nell who's your idol?"
Nell McAndrew:
"I don't really have an idol although I do admire people
like Tina Turner and Madonna."
bankers
asks: "What's wrong with working in the banking industry?"
Nell McAndrew:
"There's nothing wrong with working in the banking industry
if that's what you're happy doing! I did used to work with a bank
- The Yorkshire Bank - just after I'd left school when I lived
in Leeds."
akjdsh asks:
"Who would you like to come back as in your next lifetime?"
Nell McAndrew:
"Oooh, do you know, in a way I'd like to come back as me
because I'd know a lot more and wouldn't make the same mistakes
again!"
Mojo asks:
"Is there anyone you hate?"
Nell McAndrew:
"No...No."
bubs asks:
"How old were you when your career took off?"
Nell McAndrew:
"Twenty-three"
puff asks:
"Why do you admire Tina Turner."
Nell McAndrew:
"I don't know if you've seen the film of her life story,
but I think she's had a very tough life and come out on top and
I admire someone who can pull herself back together after such
a tough life."
akjdsh asks:
"Do you consider yourself a role model for others and try
and set examples for others?"
Nell McAndrew:
"I don't consider myself a role model. 'Do not do this at
home!' I think everyone should do what they think is best for
themselves and follow their instincts."
Mojo asks:
"Will you try an acting career, like Madonna?"
Nell McAndrew:
"I'd love to - but I'm waiting for the right opportunity
to arise before I take it on fully. I'm still very busy doing
other things at the moment."
spicy: "What
song would you play to seduce someone?"
Nell McAndrew:
"Oooh, there's lots of songs I'd play. But a very, very good
CD to have in the background to set the scene for love is Sade
or Luther Vandross."
Scall asks:
"What's your favourite TV programme?"
Nell McAndrew:
"Erm...I love watching The Royle Family with Caroline
Aherne - but I've only seen one of them! It's just so real, it's
brilliant."
Death asks:
"What would your dream man look like?"
Nell McAndrew:
"It's not so much what he'd look like - he'd need a really
good personality, he'd have to make me laugh and not get upset
when I spend too much time at the gym! But if he's good-looking
as well, I'm sure I could live with it!"
bubs asks:
"What quality do you admire most about yourself?"
Nell McAndrew:
"I feel that because I go home a lot, it keeps me more down-to-earth
than the people I've met - and I would really like to keep that."
SW18 asks:
"Are you a wine bar, a trad. pub or a theme pub girl?"
Nell McAndrew:
"Depends on my mood. I love dressing up and going to wine
bars - although it's nice to just slob out, go down to the pub
and have a pint of Guinness and have a game of pool too."
yholger
asks: "Are you addicted to your work?"
Nell McAndrew:
"I do try and keep a social life as well - although at the
moment I love my job so I feel I'm very, very lucky to be in my
position and don't mind working so hard because I love it. So
at the moment I suppose I am addicted to work!"
MERSON asks:
"What does the future hold for you work wise?"
Nell McAndrew:
"The future for my work at the moment is hopefully more presenting,
a film...I don't know. I take each day as it comes."
FishBrains
asks: "If you were an animal, what would you be?"
Nell McAndrew:
"A rhinocerous!"
bubs asks:
"Who's your favourite fellow model?"
Nell McAndrew:
"Erm...he's not a fellow model - but there's a fantastic
picture of this guy who's got an amazing body and he's leaping
up mid-air - and he's so cute...It's amazing, anyway! When you
see the advert, you'll know!"
bigfan asks:
"Who would be your ideal date?"
Nell McAndrew:
"It'd have to be Al Pacino - but I could put up with Andy
Garcia as long as he wears his pilots' outfit from When A Man
Loves A Woman."
bubs asks:
"How do you look so great what beauty tips can you give us
please?"
Nell McAndrew:
"Decleor skin care, exercise, lots of laughing and lots of
water! It really does make a difference."
bigfan asks:
"What is your favourite method of travel?"
Nell McAndrew:
"I love to drive! Obviously, Concorde would be fantastic
but I've not experienced that yet!"
qqqqqqqqqq
asks: "Were you sorry to miss out on being in the Tomb
Raider film?"
Nell McAndrew:
"Not really because what's meant to be will be."
yholger
asks: "Is it true that you do boxing?"
Nell McAndrew:
"I do boxing training for fitness and for toning my upper
body - but I'm no Jane Couch!"
puff asks:
"What was the most embarrassing thing that happened to you?"
Nell McAndrew:
"It's a bit of a long one...Recently, I had to go to a Sainsbury
superstore to meet a photographer and a client to do a photo-call
for Thunderball (the new Lottery game). The directions I'd been
given weren't very good so I was a bit flustered when I arrived
and as I walked past the Cafeteria section three men were waving
at me through the window. Because I was in such a hurry I presumed
they must be the people I had to meet - and went storming into
the supermarket all fully made-up and went and sat at their table!
One of them said: "Do you want tea?" and I said: "No,
I'll have a coffee!"
" Anyway,
then I suddenly realised they weren't obviously the people I was
supposed to meet at all and said this to them. And one man said:
"No but you made my day love!" And the other one said:
"I thought you were being a bit forward - we only waved at
you!" I just wanted the ground to eat me up and walked away
fumbling with my phone!"
yholger
asks: "Have you been to Germany?"
Nell McAndrew:
"I've been to Germany as Lara Croft a lot in the past - but
more recently, I've done a couple of interviews as myself and
will be on the front cover of German Playboy."
Mojo asks:
"What is the first thing you remember?"
Nell McAndrew:
"I can remember being in hospital eating tomato soup - and
I love it still! In fact, my favourite food is tomato soup and
beans on toast - if I don't have the time to heat them, I'll eat
cold beans out of the can! Oooh and Ambrosia Rice Pudding!"
beeb.com:
"Before she dashes off, here's Nell with a final word..."
Nell McAndrew:
"It's been great talking to you all, and I hope to do it
again sometime! Big kiss!"
This chat transcript
was taken from:
http://www.chat.beeb.com/chat/transcripts/990721_mcandrew/t990721_mcandrew.html
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