Supermodel era is over, says Hunter

The 1980s era of high-profile supermodels gracing runways and magazine covers around the world is over, says Rachel Hunter.
The Kiwi supermodel/actor says she fears for the careers of young models aspiring to be the next Cindy Crawford or Naomi Campbell, because their efforts are being overshadowed by film and music talents, including Dreamgirls star and solo artist Beyonce Knowles. "For years now we have seen people on the covers of magazines that aren't models, they are actresses and it's disappointing," the 37-year-old said from New Zealand, where she is currently on holiday.

"Sports Illustrated this year had Beyonce Knowles on the cover ...

what's left for young girls to aspire if they want to be models? Not much." Hunter will visit Australia next week to launch her new Lola swimwear range in Brisbane, before heading to Sydney for the St Tropez Beach Party to raise money for the Children's Hospital at Westmead.

The former wife of crooner Rod Stewart says having two children of her own drew her to attend the event. "Nobody chooses to be sick, when it's children it's heartbreaking," she said. "I do quite a bit of work in the US seeing kids, especially with cancer and different diseases, and to see how resilient they are is incredible.

"I think if you attach your name to something like this, as a celebrity, that's really, really important." Over the last two decades the New Zealand-born celebrity has enjoyed life in the Los Angeles fast lane, dabbling in film and featuring in US TV programmes including The Drew Carey Show, Dancing With The Stars and Suddenly Susan. However, Hunter admits a relocation to New Zealand is on the horizon, where she wants to launch a new business and expand her Lola brand.

"I really want to do stuff that is more at home (New Zealand) and really look at the bigger picture," she said. "I love being home and they always welcome me with open arms. "I would really love to create some sort of business here, so that's what I am looking at doing, more so than more TV.

That's been pretty saturated with reality TV.