Gemma Ward

Lots of models have played mermaids throughout history and it is, kind of, a funny rite of passage.

Through my whole career, that's been a major thing - bringing my family with me.

To make my brothers and my sister laugh was the greatest joy to me in my life. I like people who can make fun of themselves a lot.

As a young child my attention span was, as I remember it, rather short.

People mature at different stages and I feel I'm learning a lot.

I studied international relations and economics at the University of Virginia. I paid my way by working as a bartender in the summer and at three part-time jobs during the year.