Status Update
HOMETOWN: Brisbane, Qld.
BIRTHDAY: February 5, 1991.
HIDDEN TALENT: “I really like Angry Birds, and I’m great at that! I even own the merchandise but I’m still yet to buy the plush toys. If the Angry Birds people are reading, I’d be happy to be an ambassador for your game.”
DRUNKEN TWEETING: “That’s a no-go zone for me. I might post a couple of photos but that’s it. Otherwise I’ll go emoji crazy.”
FOLLOW HER TWITTER: @EllieGonsalves
Congrats on the award and making our cover, Ellie! Can you give us some background on your lovely self?
Thanks so much, it’s really cool. I did part-time modelling during high school and once I left I kinda just took it on full-time. I absolutely loved it and I set goals for myself, which I’ve pursued. I won a competition with Veve Swimwear and it really just took off from there. A couple years after joining Veve I started my own swimwear collection, which led to the whole Stephanie Rice thing, which was crazy. I’m also an ambassador for Australia Zoo’s charity, Wildlife Warriors. I did an awareness campaign for them where I did a shoot with 12 different animals, and that was phenomenal.
What did you think of all the media buzz that eventuated when Steph Rice posted the pic of herself wearing the ‘Tomb Raider’ bikini online?
I sent one to Steph for her birthday, I wasnt expecting her to post the photo. I asked her to send me a picture, just so I could see what it looked like, and she told me she’d put a pic on Instagram and tagged me. A couple days later it was just a circus! I still can’t get my head around the coverage – there were stories everywhere; it was on E! News in America. A lot of good has come of it.
When did you first realise that you looked awesome in swimwear?
It’s a bit of a weird story, but from eighth grade I had these Double D boobs. I remember being at this pool party and everyone else was flat chested. I felt a bit self-conscious about it and all the girls would pay me out about it at school but I was like, ‘You guys can pay me out but I’m gonna take advantage.’
How do you go about designing a bikini?
I’ve spent so many years in bikinis – so I’ve done the research – and I design them around my body type. When we got the samples back for the ‘Tomb Raider’, I did the fittings and I knew exactly what I was looking for.
OK, so when was the last time you went into the water without swimwear?
I’m one of those really, really good girls. I don’t do anything naughty because I don’t wanna get caught. Actually, no, there was one time. When I was about 17 I went skinny-dipping with my best friend on the Gold Coast. But we were too scared of sharks, so we just went in the shallow end then ran back out.
You mentioned your work with Australia Zoo earlier. What animal would you be?
Something at the top of the food chain, so I’d never have to worry about someone coming up behind me and killing me. I’d go with a lion because there are some personality similarities: I’m headstrong and can be dominating.
You’re big on fitness – your YouTube Channel features various workouts. Can you give us a health tip?
If you want to get a bit leaner, long distance running is amazing for that. However, I haven’t lost anything in the chest area, which is strange, and which is why a lot of people think I have fake boobs. No, just a freak of nature.
Good to hear they haven’t been negatively affected by your fitness regime.
They’ve just stayed there. I was in a change room when I was, like, 13, and the woman who worked at the store was like, “Oh, my God! Where did you get your boobs done?” That was the first time someone asked me where I got them done, not if I got them done. Ever since then it constantly happens. Girls love to touch and grab them, too. They aren’t shy.
How many enquiries do you get per week?
All up, in person and on social media, I’d say 50 to 60 per week. To me they look real but I constantly get asked.
What else do you do to maintain your killer body?
I focus on high reps with a lighter weight which keeps me lean and toned. I teamed up with The Supplement Den in 2012 and that was great. I started taking supplements and saw massive changes in my body that I couldn’t get on my own in such a timeframe.
What’s your favourite body part?
The boobs are a given but I kinda take them for granted because I’ve had them for ages. I’m a big fan of my stomach because I’ve really worked on it and I’m proud of how it looks.
When do you feel sexiest? Is it post-workout?
To be honest, I feel like dying after a workout! It changes. Sometimes when I’m done up and in lingerie and in high heels; sometimes when I’m in a bikini; sometimes when I’m relaxing at home. You feel sexiest when you’re at your most comfortable in your own skin. It’s not what you’re wearing – it’s a state of mind.
What’s the best party you’ve ever been to?
Besides the MAXIM Hot 100 party? Well, I’m not really much of a party girl, but I love Vegas. You go over, you go to have fun, and it’s days spent by the pool and nights spent on the town. Surprisingly, nobody bothers you, either. There’s no, “Hey baby, how’s it goin’?”
What is a good way to approach you?
No pick-up lines. Actually, I saw one the other day that was frickin’ hilarious: “Are you related to Yoda? Because Yo-dalicious!” Be yourself. Don’t try and over-impress by talking about money but girls do like guys who have goals and who go after what they want.
Daniel Steiner
For the full feature and images grab the January 2013 issue of MAXIM Australia.
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