- Claimed two Olympic gold medals at the Paris Games
- Has become a fashion model since and a household name
- Reveals the moments that make her truly feel beautiful
She has become a catwalk model, the face of an international beauty brand and a TV presenter, but Olympic champion Jess Fox has made the stunning confession she once hated the way she looks.
Fox enjoyed a triumphant Paris Games campaign, carrying the Australian flag during the opening ceremony before claiming historic gold medals in both the K1 and C1 events.
Since Paris, Fox has participated in a glamourous magazine shoots, including appearing on the cover of Stellar magazine where she confidently showcased her athletic figure in stylish outfits.
Additionally, Fox is set to make her fashion show debut by walking the L’Oréal Paris Walk Your Worth Runway event. This runway event will be held against the backdrop of Sydney Harbour on Thursday.
She also got the opportunity to present the sports news on Channel Nine’s Today show.
It is attention that Fox is still finding it difficult to adjust to.
In an interview with Channel Nine she admitted there was a part of herself she used to hate, despite now working with one of the largest beauty companies in the world.
‘I grew up hating my curls,’ Jess said.
‘It was all about straight, flowy hair so I had to work a lot on embracing my curls. I know a lot of people do.’
Now, Fox has embraced herself when she’s an emotional, makeup-free Olympian, or when she’s a runway model.
In fact, she now says the emotional images of her with tears streaming down her face, dishevelled hair and Olympic gold around her neck show her at the most beautiful she’s ever been.
‘Seeing photos from the Olympics and seeing myself looking like a bit of a blubbering mess … I probably would have, in the past, thought, “Oh my god, that’s embarrassing”,’ she said.
‘But actually, that’s really beautiful. I had no makeup on, but I could see the joy that was shining through in my smile.
‘I’ve felt most beautiful, I guess, when I’m myself.’
Fox and her sister Noemie have come a long way since their early days of growing up in western Sydney as complete unknowns.
They are both Olympic champions now, with Jess jumping into the water to celebrate her sister’s success in an enduring image from the Paris Games.
It has made them household names and Jess admitted she is still struggling to come to terms with that.
‘I sort of feel like I’ve had my face everywhere at the moment, which has been crazy,’ she said.
It hasn’t all been smooth sailing. In a recent fashion photo shoot she revealed strapping tape was required to fit into the glamourous dresses because her shoulders were too broad for it.
And she admitted to having doubts about her L’Oréal debut.
‘I’m a little bit nervous about it, especially walking in heels. I’m not yet sure what heels I’m wearing, but I’m hoping they’re not like 12 inch stilettos,’ she said.
‘I have so many factors to myself. Yes, I’m the athlete, I’m fierce and I’m focused on the water, but I can also be feeling feminine and glamorous and step into this different side of me that not many people have seen.’
