The sassy and sexy model, fashionista, realtor and star of Netflix reality TV hit Selling Sunset reveals all as she makes her MAXIM debut…
Quite the cover shoot for MAXIM, Christine, congrats! How does it feel?
Wow, this feels amazing! I’ve always dreamt of being on the cover of MAXIM. Due to COVID-19, this shoot was actually at my house. Our home is very modern so there are a lot of really cool areas to shoot with lots of bright light. I had Britney Spears’ “Work Bitch” on repeat that day.
You look gorgeous. When do you feel you are at your sexiest?
Thank you. I want to be a bitch that exudes confidence and I want to encourage and inspire everyone to do the same. Confidence is the main component to being sexy. Be comfortable in your own skin. As long as you feel good, it doesn’t actually matter what you are wearing.
What’s your best asset?
My mind! I love to play dumb blonde, then shock people with my intelligence. Physically, I love my legs and hair.
What would people be most surprised to find out about you?
I have been fired from every corporate job – from Walmart to Taco Bell. I worked at many restaurants and I was actually the worst waitress in the history of waitresses. I used to car hop at Sonic and wear rollerblades to bring out the food. I probably got fired from there, too. LOL!
How did you get into modelling?
I started modelling when I was about 15. I would dream about walking in fashion shows and being on the cover of magazines. I started doing some work in commercial print then worked my way up to runway and fashion campaigns. I was in Vogue magazine at the age of 18.
You also star in Netflix reality TV series Selling Sunset. How did you get into the real estate business?
Like 99% of the population, I moved to L.A. to become an actress. I busted my ass daily to book TV shows, movies… and started my career doing extra work — anything and everything to get my name out there. I was doing really well, but got tired of being typecast as the ditzy blonde over and over. I have always been more than that and I wanted the world to know. I just wanted to be myself and be on camera – that’s all I ever wanted. So, I figured until my rich husband shows up I better find a profession I loved.
Why did you decide to pursue a career in real estate?
I saw Jason and Brett [Oppenheim, brothers and founders of The Oppenheim Group where Christine works] living the life. They were working for who they wanted, when they wanted and I knew I wanted in. They were making huge profits off the sale of one house. It was fascinating to me that they could pay for a house with the sale of a house. I was money hungry and thirsty for experience, so I did everything to study, learn and set myself apart from every boring salesperson. Standing out has always been my expertise – Burgers and Botox was quite original, I must say.
Describe your experience on Selling Sunset so far.
It’s been a wild ride – it has its ups and downs. I love that I get to just be myself and I love to make people feel something when they watch me. Whatever that feeling may be, you can’t say I’m not entertaining.
Are you happy with your portrayal on the show?
I am the comic relief in this office of stale saltine bitches. Reality is an illusion. The show is made to seem as dramatic as possible. No-one goes home at night and is like, “Wow, they made me seem like an asshole, I am so happy with the outcome.” I can’t change anything and have no creative control, but there’s always next season.
Do you have any regrets signing up to do the show?
Never. I get to share my life and career with people. I want to inspire every fan, follower and hater that you can do ANYTHING. I was an awkward teenager that used to work at Taco Bell in the middle of Texas – look at me now.
What’s the toughest thing about being a real estate agent in L.A. and selling the Sunset area?
Initially, you have to build your clientele and your brand. The first several years is a struggle, but once you have time under your belt, and you build a network, the fun begins!
When you’re not posing for MAXIM or filming Selling Sunset what do you do?
I love, love, love to travel. I’m currently on a yacht in Croatia overlooking the port in Havar. I love to embrace myself as a woman and express my talents in as many ways as possible. I take dance lessons once a week with a top choreographer to the stars and I recently started yoga. I also love journaling and reading. Since COVID-19, I have learnt to be the next Martha f—king Stewart – I have really embraced the housewife role. Well, minus the cleaning. I have embraced mostly just the lingerie and cooking bits.
What’s the weirdest thing you’ve seen about yourself in the media?
It’s always a surprise to see what paparazzi photos will pop up next to a salacious headline. I love when there is articles that are so wildly inaccurate. I once saw a “celebrity jeweller” guesstimate the size of my ring to be 4 carat. Needless to say, I was offended and had to set the record straight.
How do you handle any negative press, the social media trolls and other haters?
I have haters? Good, that means I stood for something! Brush off the haters – I don’t waste time on negative energy. I don’t ingest it nor entertain it. It’s just not worth my time. You should only hate on people you actually know. If you don’t have my phone number, you don’t have the right to talk about my life.
Your recent wedding in L.A., where you rocked a black dress, has been described as a gothic winter wonderland. What made you go for this theme?
I have always been different. Vanilla is boring and it’s just not me. I like to push the envelope. I knew I wanted something no-one has ever done. I told my amazing event planner, Lisa Lafferty, I want a “Crazy Rich Asians” wedding, just like the movie. I want my guests to step into an experience, not just an event. I have always loved everything gothic and black. I have black wallpaper in my house, and my cars were wrapped with blood spatter for Halloween last year. I wanted the wedding to be a beautiful blend of an ethereal experience and twisted darkness.
When you were single, what did a man have to do to win you over?
Very simple – be honest. Honesty is #1 in my book.
What have you learnt about men over the years?
They underestimate women. My ex told me I would never be successful because I didn’t have a formal education. Send me some extra copies of MAXIM, I got some magazines to mail out.
What’s one thing men should always remember about women?
Anything you can do, we can do better.
Finally, got any big plans for the rest of 2020 once this coronavirus is sorted?
I want to start my own all female brokerage and my own lifestyle brand. In five years I see myself being the CE-HOE of my own company, aboard my mega yacht and in every major magazine publication. I want to run my companies while travelling the world. All things fashion and beauty are in the works. ■
STATUS UPDATE
NAME: Christine Quinn
BORN: October 14
HOMETOWN: Dallas, Texas USA
LIVES: Los Angeles, California, USA
FIVE-WORD SELF-DESCRIPTION: “Hilarious, strong, brave, loving and bitchy.”
WORST HABIT: “Judging people’s fashion choices.”
GO-TO DRINK: “Watermelon Red Bull.”
HANGOVER CURE: “Fried food.”
LIFE MOTTO: “There is no such thing as ‘normal’ and I hate when people refer to themselves as ordinary. We are all extraordinary.”
INSTAGRAM: @thechristinequinn
TWITTER & SNAPCHAT: XtineQuinn
Photographed by CHRIS MARTIN Interview by SANTI PINTADO
Make-up by JOSIE MELANO HAIR LAURA RUGETTI
Styling by HOUSE OF JULIAN MENDEZ COUTURE (BLACK & RED OUTFITS); L’ANIMAL CO (PINK BIKINI)
For the full article grab the October 2020 issue of MAXIM Australia from newsagents and convenience locations. Subscribe here.
