15 Reasons Why 2015 Will Be the Year of the Model-Turned-Actress
By Liza Darwin
With former models-turned-actresses like Milla Jovovich and Cameron Diaz as proof, the leap from the runway to the big screen isn’t anything new. And in fact, it’s getting easier for runway beauties every year. But while many top models tend to be pushed into the vapid “hot girl” category, 2015 will see a whole new crop of our favorites sinking their teeth into roles with more substance. With none other than Cara Delevingne leading the pack, here are 15 girls to watch—on-screen—in 2015. They’re already successful on the catwalk and in campaigns, so why should Hollywood be any different?
Rosie Huntington-Whitely
The English model may have played the requisite hottie role in 2011’sTransformers, but now she’s getting more screen time alongside fashion cohort Abbey Lee in 2015’s Mad Max. Judging from the trailer alone, she nails it.
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Kate Upton
Upton dove headfirst into acting last year with a starring role in The Other Woman alongside Cameron Diaz and Leslie Mann. Now rumors are swirling that the 22-year-old stunner is in line to be the next Bond Girl.… We’re not surprised.
Abbey Lee
The Aussie has a prime cameo in 2015’s highly anticipated Mad Max: Fury Road, alongside an all-star cast including fellow model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley. After that, keep an eye out for her in the 2015 Australian film Ruben Guthrie, then later in the 2016 drama Gods of Egypt.
Cara Delevingne
She’s come a long way since her brief cameo in 2012’s Anna Karenina,that’s for sure. The 22-year-old has no fewer than six movies coming out, including starring roles in the film adaptation of John Green’s Paper Townsand a key part in the sure-to-be-blockbuster Suicide Squeeze.
Lily Cole
Cole has made no secret of her acting career dreams, and she’s proven her skills in films like The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus and The Zero Theorem. Up next, a starring role in the sci-fi flick Orion, as well as a part alongside Cara Delevingne in London Fields.
Suki Waterhouse
She might be the face of brands like Burberry beauty and Superga, but in between modeling gigs, Waterhouse has steadily been building her acting résumé. She scored parts in 2012’s Pusher and this year’s rom-comLove, Rosie, but 2015 will be her breakout year. Watch out for her cameo inInsurgent, and don’t miss her starring role as Kitty Bennet in the film adaption of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies.
Tao Okamoto
The Japanese model-turned-actress has taken a break from Ralph Lauren ads and Vogue editorials in favor of a major role in the upcoming Batman v. Superman movie. Okamoto made her on-screen debut in 2013 alongside Hugh Jackman in The Wolverine—not a bad way to start a new career path.
Emily Ratajkowski
“Blurred Lines” may have thrust Ratajkowski into the spotlight, but the model is using this music video fame to propel her budding acting career. And she’s doing a pretty good job of it, too. She played Ben Affleck’s college-age love interest in Gone Girl, and has a starring role in the Zac Efron comedy We Are Your Friends next year.
Brooklyn Decker
Decker has cut back on modeling and launched a full-fledged acting career over the past several years—and she has the credits to show for it. With parts in flicks such as Just Go for It and numerous TV cameos under her belt, keep an eye out for her latest film, a comedy called Casual Encounters, alongside SNL's Taran Killam. Next year, spot her in an untitled Warren Beatty project with Alec Baldwin, Taissa Farmiga, and fellow model-actress Lily Cole.
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Agyness Deyn
Deyn’s new clothing line, Title A, might be the project fresh on everyone’s minds—and for good reason—but next year marks the model’s major jump to the big screen—although it’s not her first. Previously she appeared in the thriller Pusher and Clash of the Titans. In 2015 she has two starring roles coming up: in the drama Electricity and the film adaption of the 1932 novelSunset Song.
Dree Hemingway
Over the years, Hemingway has steadily grown her acting career, first with small roles in films like The Truth About Angels, then with bigger parts in indies such as 2013’s Starlet. In 2014 Hemingway took her talents to the live stage for Opening Ceremony, starring alongside Elle Fanning in the Spike Jonze/Jonah Hill-written play/presentation for the brand’s Spring 2015 collection. Next year we’ll have three chances to catch the 27-year-old on-screen: in Happy People, The People Garden, and Noah Baumbach’s While We’re Young.
Irina Shayk
Prediction: The Sports Illustrated model already had a role in Brett Ratner’s adaption of Hercules this summer. Considering Ratner has helped propel other models like Brooklyn Decker into full-fledged movie territory, expect to see much more of the Russian 28-year-old soon.
Aymeline Valade
You already know her from the Lanvin, Chanel, and Bottega Veneta campaigns, and now the French model is continuing her high-fashion reign on-screen. She plays Betty Catroux in Bertrand Bonell’s 2014 film, Saint Laurent, which has been acquired for distribution by Sony Pictures Classics, so with any luck it will be available to watch soon.
Marine Vacth
After her breakout role in 2013’s Young and Beautiful, the French model-turned-actress has landed the lead in Jean-Paul Rappeneau’s French-language film Belles Familles.
Gemma Ward
Put this one in the “let’s hope” category.… Ward is the ultimate fantasy girl on the runway, so it’s not surprising she’s already landed dreamy roles in Pirates of the Caribbean and The Great Gatsby. Fingers crossed that Ward’s recent comeback on the catwalk at Prada means she’ll be returning to the big screen as well.
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photos: courtesy of films
