How often do you visit Las Vegas for personal pleasure?
Probably four or five times per year. I’m not a big gambler, but I love to sit quietly and people watch in the major casinos–usually at Bellagio. There is no place like it on earth. I also love going to the spas, getting totally pampered and leaving relaxed every time. And I love going to the big shows on The Strip–I’ve seen all the Cirque du Soleil shows, some several times. I also try to catch Elton John when he passes through.

Why and how did you make the transition from freshman college student in Northern California to international model based in Europe in 1995?
I had never wanted to become a model, but everyone all through high school said I should try it because I was tall and skinny. A model friend at UC Santa Cruz was doing some modeling in San Francisco suggested that I do it for a summer and referred me to a modeling agency. At the time, I was sort of bored with college, which felt like just an extension of high school. I thought that I should be doing something more important, so it was fine with me. Especially since I didn’t have any money and wanted to travel.

How did you wind up in Europe a couple of months later working for major fashion houses such as Escada and Christian Dior?
A scout from a big French agency saw me at a show in San Francisco and recommended checking out Paris. I intended to come back to school in the fall, but the agency in France said I should stick around as they would make it worth my while. And they did, so I stayed there for three years, then went to New York for another five years.

Where did the modeling assignments take you?
All over the world, especially Europe and Africa. When I took over a contract from Elle MacPherson for a skin care product line, we shot lots of the layouts in The Eychelles. I went down to this amazing place near Madagascar eight or nine times. We’d stay in gorgeous colonial houses with no glass in the windows, letting the gentle breeze wash over us day and night. And there were stunning white beaches–pristine and gorgeous–with nobody on them.

Why did you decide to fade out of modeling and make acting a career?
There wasn’t one particular turning point–I just knew it was time to try something new. When it started getting old and stale, I wanted different kinds of challenges.

Did you study acting formally in New York or L.A.?
No. I was still doing lots of work for Victoria’s Secret and Sports Illustrated in the late-1990s, so I did a lot of talk shows to promote them. Soon I was getting offers to do guest appearances on sitcoms. I felt like an impostor at first, but gradually eased into it by hosting the fashion-oriented “House Of Style” (1998-2000) show for MTV and playing Adrienne on “Just Shoot Me!” (1999-2000) for a season. By the time “X-Men” (2000) and “X2” (2003) came long, I was comfortable working under the lights with ensemble casts.

What are some of the projects you are doing for a living these days?
I did a terrific independent movie during the summer called “The Alibi,” which should be out later this year (2005). It’s really a black comedy about a guy (Steve Coogan) who runs an alibi agency for cheating wives and husbands. I play Lola, who helps him run the agency. It has a fantastic cast, including James Brolin, Sam Elliott and Jimmy Marsden. Then I was signed to do a movie “About Town”–with Ben Affleck. He as an agent going through a mid-life crisis and I portray his cheating wife.

Will there be more “X-Men” sequels as the very blue shape shifter Mystique?
Yes, I believe “X3” goes into production in May (with the original cast).

How do you decompress after shooting an “X-Men” movie?
I head for Las Vegas and hit a spa. Bellagio’s Spa is fantastic!