Rosie Huntington-Whiteley shares a unique perspective on her interactions with women, noting, “Women always approach me to talk about their bras, whether at dinner or in lifts. It’s delightful.” Our conversation spends a surprising eight minutes discussing the topic of lingerie. This is not your typical supermodel interview, especially one who has been a prominent figure in campaigns for esteemed brands like Prada, Valentino, and Burberry throughout her 22-year career, while also boasting 20 million followers on Instagram. Furthermore, she is the driving force behind the Rosie Exclusively for M&S Lingerie collection, with impressive sales of three items per minute. “I smiled when I noticed another woman in the changing room wearing a Rosie bra while taking my son Jack to swimming class last week,” she recalls, opting to refrain from mentioning it to avoid awkwardness.

The Rosie lingerie line debuted in 2012 and has become the longest partnership between a celebrity and lingerie in the UK. The upcoming Contourwear collection, set to launch in May, features a corset-style bra and underskirt. Huntington-Whiteley collaborates closely with the M&S design team and personally tries each piece. She attributes the success of the line to the quality and accessibility of the products. “They stand out in terms of quality and price,” she states (with lace knickers at £10 and bras priced between £22 and £32). “M&S is an institution that holds a significant market share in lingerie, which means that one in three women are wearing an M&S bra. That’s significant. Like many British women, my first bra was from M&S, creating a personal connection with the brand for everyone.”

At 38, Huntington-Whiteley grew up on a farm in Tavistock, Devon. The daughter of a chartered surveyor and a fitness instructor, she shares her upbringing with modeling siblings, Toby and Florence. She describes her childhood as “sheltered, rustic, and rural, spent outdoors with animals and riding horses.” She aspired to work in fashion from a young age and interned at a modeling agency at 15, later signing with one at 16. Her career took off in 2004, when she made her modeling debut for Teen Vogue and walked the runway alongside Naomi Campbell.

As her career skyrocketed during the 2000s, Huntington-Whiteley became the face of multiple prestigious brands, featured in campaigns for Victoria’s Secret, Giles Deacon, Karen Millen, and Burberry. She graced the covers of Vogue and GQ, establishing her status as a fashion icon while maintaining a following among men’s magazines. In 2010, she relocated to Los Angeles and commenced a relationship with British actor Jason Statham, transitioning into acting roles in major films, including Transformers: Dark of the Moon and Mad Max: Fury Road. “Modelling was always a means to explore other avenues,” she notes.

Sitting in a Shoreditch studio after a cover shoot, Huntington-Whiteley is dressed casually in white jeans and a vest, her diamond engagement ring from Statham sparkling on her hand. “Nobody anticipated the level of success I’ve enjoyed,” she reflects. “While photo shoots are enjoyable, they lack the fulfillment I seek today. I prefer contributing creatively and developing products. In traditional fashion shoots, you’re often directed, which can feel limiting. I now know how I want to be portrayed, moving away from previous standards of ‘hair, make-up, and sexy.'” She seeks a more authentic expression of herself in her work.

What defines the real Rosie Huntington-Whiteley? Her public persona is notably spotless, with few glimpses of scandal. “I had my wild years before social media emerged,” she admits, adding, “I’ve always been sensible. Leaving school at 16 to pursue modeling left no safety net; it was all or nothing, returning to Devon if I failed.” She recalls the last extravagant night she had on her 37th birthday, returning home at dawn, joking about the unflattering photos that her friends share to tease her.

Huntington-Whiteley’s top priority is her family. After ten years in Los Angeles, they returned to London in 2020. “It was always the plan to raise the kids here,” she explains, referring to their son and daughter, Bella, who is three. “We appreciate the education and community support here. Our children are growing up with British accents; it’s important to us. We visit Devon every summer to give them similar childhood experiences that I enjoyed.” Although moving back was an adjustment, she has come to love life in London.

Part of their decision to relocate was to enable Statham to spend more time with the family. “He wanted to avoid lengthy absences due to filming. Moving to London allows him to work closer to home,” she shares. Statham plays an active role as a father, described by Huntington-Whiteley as a “playful dad.” She feels fortunate to have a partner who is supportive. “We balance parenting tasks without rigid rules, and we navigate drop-offs on an electric bike that accommodates all four of us,” she describes, laughing at the sight they must make.

With a 15-year relationship and significant age difference, she states that age is never a concern. “I’m committed to my family and cherish the dynamic we maintain. Each day brings love, fun, and humor; we strive to make it work. Relationships require adjustment and effort; I focus on being the best version of myself. I find happiness within, not dependent on others,” she explains regarding their marriage plans that remain open-ended.

Professionally, Huntington-Whiteley is pursuing a kidswear line for Konges Slojd alongside a new capsule collection with Wardrobe NYC. She recently resumed her modeling partnership with Burberry; she has been modeling for the brand since she turned 21. “It felt like the best birthday gift,” she recalls, emphasizing the significance of these iconic British brands in her career aspirations.

She is also venturing into property redevelopment. “We love flipping houses,” she states, detailing her efforts in restoring a previously run-down central London property over two years. “We’re in the process of constructing a country property now,” she adds, showcasing her diverse interests outside modeling.

Reflecting on motherhood, she embraces the realities of changes post-pregnancy, stating, “Aging and body changes are inevitable, especially after having children. Each pregnancy took about two years for me to adjust. It’s a significant journey. While my twenties were exciting, maturity brings wisdom, and parenting certainly poses challenges. I’ve learned that the journey is more valuable than the destination. One must find joy in the process because life is too short.”

With that, she takes her leave to reunite with her family. For Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, life is undeniably sweet.

@scarlettroserussell

Styling by Sophie Ozra Cloarec. Hair by Shon Ju at The Wall Group. Makeup by Isamaya Ffrench at IMG. Production by RePro.