Why Is She Famous?
Jessica Alba has been kicking ass and taking names since 2000 when she nabbed the lead role in James Cameron’s critically-acclaimed sci-fi series Dark Angel. This sultry sexpot has since shown off her mouthwatering curves with a string of nearly-nude performances in Honey, Sin City and Fantastic Four. "The scripts I get are always for the whore, or the motorcycle chick in leather, or the horny maid," she jokes. "I get all these screenplays that start, 'Tawnya is in the shower. The water streams down her naked, perky breasts.'" Now that’s a movie we’d definitely watch!
Watch Jessica Alba in Movie
Sexiness
Jessica Alba is perfectly at home prancing around in a teeny bikini. "I'm comfortable looking sexy,” she insists. “Hollywood always plays up your sexuality, because that's what gets men into the theaters. It's nothing to be ashamed of.” We agree wholeheartedly, which is why we gave this breathtaking brunette top billing on our list of the Top 99 Women of 2006. Alba has since become a fixture in our beloved annual poll as well as in lists compiled by Maxim, FHM, GQ, People, Star, Playboy, and Victoria’s Secret, all of whom have praised her for her alluring screen presence and delectable 34-24-34 dimensions. In fact, the only person unimpressed with Jessica Alba’s sexiness is Alba herself. “I actually don’t think I’m attractive,” she admits. “The public only sees me after I’ve had my hair and make-up done. Or I’m in photos that have been airbrushed or lit a certain way. It’s all an illusion.” That may be, but it’s an illusion she pulls off with uncommon panache.
Watch Jessica Alba Diving in Bikini
Success
Jessica Alba has a very simple rule for achieving success. “My theory is that if you look confident you can pull off anything,” she says, “even if you have no clue what you're doing.” Alba has applied that theory to dazzling effect in more than 30 film and television productions, playing everything from a superhuman action hero in Dark Angel to a pole-dancing stripper in Sin City to a blind violinist in The Eye. Regardless of the role, all of her characters possess an undeniable charm and, more often than not, a smokin’ hot body encased in a bare minimum of fabric. Although she’s thus far been willing to humor directors who insist on showcasing her sensuous curves, Alba is hopeful she’ll eventually be cast in more meaningful productions. "I look forward to the day when I can do a small movie and act," she says, "And it's not about me wearing a f***ing bathing suit or chaps." We’re in no rush for that day to arrive, but when it does we’re sure Alba will handle the transition with ease.
Biography
A self-described “military brat,” Jessica Alba grew up on Air Force bases across the U.S. before eventually settling with her family in Southern California when she was nine. Her nomadic upbringing prepared her perfectly for a career in showbiz, and she made her big screen debut in 1994 when she was cast in Camp Nowhere, a quirky teen comedy starring Taxi alum Christopher Lloyd. Although the film soon disappeared from cinemas, Alba continued popping up in a variety of other productions including the hit TV series’ Chicago Hope and The Secret Life of Alex Mack as well as the under-appreciated action film Venus Rising featuring Morgan Fairchild.
Jessica Alba stars in Flipper
Jessica Alba received her big break one year later in 1995 when she won the role of Maya in The New Adventures of Flipper. The show became an immediate hit with teens, many of whom identified with her down-to-earth character. Alba stayed on the program for two seasons before graduating to decidedly more mature roles in Brooklyn South, Beverly Hills 90210 and The Love Boat: The Next Wave.
